Final Preparations Being Made For Thanksgiving Day At Fort Jackson

(Columbia, SC) – Officials at Fort Jackson spent Wednesday making final preparations for Thanksgiving Day meals that will feed more than 15,000 soldiers.

Throughout the holiday nearly 7,000 pounds of turkey, 4,000 pounds of ham, 3,100 pounds of beef, and 1,500 of shrimp will be served at the post’s 13 mess halls.

Additionally, 1,500 pies and 600 containers of eggnog will be provided for dessert.

Dining hall manager Teresa Bratton says it’s difficult to prepare such a large feast.

“We actually started preparing a month ago. With the preparation, the ordering, to make sure we have enough food to feed all the soldiers,” said Bratton.

“It actually takes us about 24 hours to get everything together, as far as cooking.”

She says the soldiers are generally impressed with the preparations.

“When they usually come they’ll be amazed that we go through the length of stuff that we do. We have ice sculptures, we have cakes. It’s just more than they would see at home.”

She’s it’s gratifying to know that her work can help to alleviate the soldiers’ feelings of homesickness.

“They’re happy they’re here because of all the stuff we prepared.”

Following Army tradition, the meals will be served by base commanders, their staffs, and senior non-commissioned officers.

Located in Columbia, Fort Jackson is the Army’s largest training installation.