Soldiers stationed in Senegal, Liberia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan will be receiving traditional Thanksgiving dinners this year, reported Military Times. Because some of these missions were not planned to keep troops overseas through the holidays or are fairly new, it was unclear for a while whether turkey dinners would make it to the hardworking servicemembers. The source noted that holiday meals are usually ordered in the spring, but officials were able to secure extra food.
Iraq will be receiving significantly less food this year, since the military presence in the nation has been greatly reduced. Military Times reported that in 2009, nearly 500,000 pounds of turkey were shipped to troops stationed in this country, while this year 78,000 pounds is enough to feed the remaining soldiers. The Thanksgiving package for Iraq, in addition to Kuwait and Jordan, will also include pies, beef, shrimp, eggnog and ham.
This taste of home will be especially welcome by troops working to eradicate Ebola in West Africa. Military Times reported that dining facilities have yet to be constructed for these servicemembers, and they have been mostly eating rations occasionally paired with fresh produce. Liberia alone will receive 2,000 pounds of turkey, 300 pounds of cranberry sauce and 500 pies, some flavors including sweet potato, cherry, pumpkin, pecan and apple.
Soldiers who have recently returned from these infected regions, while they will be in the U.S. for the holiday, will not be able to spend it with loved ones. Military policy currently requires servicemembers to undergo a 21-day quarantine when they come back from West Africa. According to CBS, officials are trying to do everything they can for these soldiers who will spend Thanksgiving in isolation. Turkey dinners will be served, and troops will be assigned "personal shoppers" to bring them food or items they missed when they were overseas.
"We want it to be as positive of an experience as it can be," Col. John Allen told WTKR-TV.