2008.11.27
Soldiers' Thanksgiving Meal
Today, we as Americans are reminded of how much we have for which we can be thankful. The Soldiers here on an American base in southern Baghdad, where a wall divides us from a co-located Iraqi Army base, are thankful for the decline in violence that has held for months.
The chow here included all customary staples: turkey, dressing, greens, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. My team ate around 1pm. The dining facility is rather small, but this is a blessing in disguise. The cooks have more liberty with seaoning here. Some of the best food that I have had in Iraq has come out of this small dining facility.
Unit commanders and first sergeants served the chow to the Soldiers. Then, we filed into the chow hall and passed the symbolic reserved table to eat. The empty table was complete with place settings and pictures of three fallen comrades from the battalion.
The food was not bad at all. Of course, this is the first time since I met my wife in JAN 2003 when I left the Thanksgiving dinner table without my tummy feeling like it was bursting from the seams. Also, we waited until the evening to watch football.
This world is not perfect, but, spending it with America's sons and daughters and looking at pictures of my wife and kids back in Virginia in good health and good spirits later, there is so very much for which I am thankful.
After the chow line on the way to tables, Soldiers pass by the table reserved for fallen comrades.
From left to right: Captain Rich Connaroe of Virginia, Major Merv "the bossman" Brott of Texas, Sergeant Greg "birthday boy" Murrell of Missouri, Sergeant Kevin "KC" Connaughton of Texas, Captain Aaron "Old Man" Wentworth of Michigan, Sergeant Brian Parker of Virginia.
From left to right: Unidentified Soldier, Sergeant Daniel "the Dream" Colon of Puerto Rico, Sergeant Luis "Doc" Montes of Washtington, Captain Raymond Dresch of Florida, Unidentified Captain
Captain Mack Kelley of California (left) and Lieutenant Jeremy "Jay" Alaniz of Texas (right)
The chow hall and its decor. Jay Alaniz can be identified by his spectacles in the background. Where's Jay?
Thank you so much for your sacrifice.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment by Americaneocon — November 27, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
My privileged pleasure, Americaneocon.
Comment by richconnaroe — November 27, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. I am extremely grateful for what you do for us back here. Thank you!! And thank you to your family and all your soldiers and their families. We are blessed.
Comment by Maggie45 — November 27, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Capt Connaroe, Thanks for taking time to share your experiences. Keep up the wonderful work. Our soldiers have been on my mind today and I am very thankful to you and all our men and women in the service of our Nation who willingly serve and protect our freedoms.
I know how much you all miss your families and hope it won't be long before you guys are safe at home.
Wanted to share a special poem I found encouraging.. hope you do too,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your men and there is no way we can thank you enough !!!
HOW TO OBSERVE THANKSGIVING
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
~~Author Unknown.~~
Comment by Catherine L Thompson — November 27, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Maggie and Catherine, Thank you for your kind words.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — November 28, 2008 @ 8:44 am
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 11/28/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
Comment by David M — November 28, 2008 @ 10:35 am
We cannot thank you enough for the wonderful photos that reassure us when we see you all so happy and healthy. You were all with us in spirit at our Thanksgiving table this year and we look forward to having you home with your families next year. God bless you all!
Patricia and Moses Alaniz
Comment by Patricia Alaniz — November 28, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Just to let you know they're some out here thinking of you, Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Hang in there, stay safe.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Comment by Mrs G — November 29, 2008 @ 7:45 am
Thank You Sir for your dedication and service along with your command, protecting our Great Nation from those wishing it's demise. One more favor Sir; Please let everyone of the men and women you see or communicate with, we need you back here to fill every Leadership post, Law office, Engineering position, Science Lab, Educational facility, Journalists and above all Political positions all across our Nation. We are counting on the hundreds of thousands of you using your experience to replace the current Leaders at all levels. Please come home safe and ready to report for duty. We desperately need you all in our One Nation Under God, The United States of America..
Comment by Blogengeezer — November 29, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Rich- I am happy to see that they even decorate for you all. Nice touch!
Cam
Comment by Cam Srpan — December 3, 2008 @ 10:44 am
It is funny to me how I write some updates and get little response and others receive so much.
Patricia, Mrs. G, Geezer, and Cam -- Thank you for your support and kind words. Thanksgiving was great. So was Christmas dinner. The place was decorated again and the food was not bad.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — December 25, 2008 @ 4:53 pm