‘It’s an honor’: Army cooks go all out to feed their battle buddies for Thanksgiving
FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) - Unlike other jobs in the Army, working in the dining facilities on post comes with an added responsibility, making sure everyone gets a hot meal to eat.
That is where you’ll find soldiers like Specialist Adavia Winchester from Baltimore, Maryland.
A place she said was difficult to grow up in.
“It’s very different I would say,” said Spc. Adavia Winchester, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. “A lot of crime, a lot of watching your back.”
She joined the Army to make sure she was doing something with her life and found a home at the Theodore Rosevelt Warrior Restaurant on Fort Hood,
“I love to cook,” said Spc. Winchester. “I’m a 92 Golf and I love to cook. It’s always been a passion of mine so that’s definitely why, this MOS.”
The job of a cook in the Army comes with earlier and longer hours so they can be prepared to feed every meal, especially during the holidays.
Knowing she’s not able to go home for Thanksgiving, she’s happy to feed her battle buddies.
< “Especially knowing, a lot of people, they don’t get to leave or they don’t have or they don’t have family back home,” said Spc. Winchester. “So, the Army makes us like hey, I know we’re not blood related but you’re still family. So, if I can cook for you and that makes you feel better and you don’t have to be home by yourself, that works.”
It’s a sentiment her NCO Staff Sergeant Tayla Rene’lazard says is just who Specialist Winchester is.
“I love the fact the she puts a lot of time and effort into anything that I ask of her when it comes to normal day-to-day basic things,” said SFC Tayla Rene’lazard, Non-Commissioned Officer over Spc. Winchester. “She puts more thought and creativity into everything that she does.”
That coupled with a big heart is why Specialist Winchester has a message for the other soldiers in post for Thanksgiving.
“Get out as much as possible,” said Spc. Winchester. “Don’t stay in your room and let the darkness overtake you. Always reach out to a friend because you might be going through something but so are they and you guys can lean on each other.”
Of course, don’t forget to stop by the dining facility and get something to eat.
Like a lot of soldiers here on Fort Hood, the ones in the kitchen don’t get to go home for most holidays but Spc. Winchesters said, she’s just happy here job gives her the chance to feed her family in uniform on Thanksgiving.
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