PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year, U.S. troops deployed overseas and those protecting the United States southern border get a taste of home on Thanksgiving thanks to the efforts of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence supply chain employees.
DLA sent more than 300,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving food to field kitchens, dining facilities and galleys throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa and even to those here at home in Texas and Arizona.
It takes a lot of coordination and attention to detail to make sure service members get the Thanksgiving meal they deserve, said Rich Faso, deputy director, DLA Troop Support’s Subsistence supply chain in Philadelphia. The planning begins in May and the work continues until the last deliveries are made.
“The Troop Support Subsistence team is a dedicated group of employees who take pride in ensuring that deployed service members can experience an enjoyable holiday meal each Thanksgiving,” Faso said.
While it is not exactly the same as being home, it is important for the troops to know that someone cares.
“Many of America’s military men and women are away from home this Thanksgiving, making sacrifices to secure our freedom and to protect our southern border,” said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Simerly, DLA Troop Support commander. “The DLA Troop Support staff and I are excited about this amazing opportunity to provide them the very best Thanksgiving meal our country has to offer.”
This year, service members serving away from home received:
- 9,738 whole turkeys
- 51,234 pounds of roasted turkey
- 74,036 pounds of beef
- 21,758 pounds of ham
- 67,860 pounds of shrimp
- 16,284 pounds of sweet potatoes
- 81, 360 pies
- 19,284 cakes
- 7,836 gallons of eggnog
The Subsistence team worked diligently with regional vendors both locally and across the globe to ensure that military food service professionals had what they needed to prepare a festive holiday meal for those away from home this Thanksgiving.
DLA Troop Support supplies America’s armed forces with $17 billion annually of food, uniforms, protective equipment, medicine and medical supplies, repair parts, and construction and equipment.
As the nation’s combat logistics support agency, the Defense Logistics Agency manages the global supply chain – from raw materials to end user to disposition – for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, 10 combatant commands, other federal agencies, and partner and allied nations. For more information about DLA, go to: www.dla.mil, www.facebook.com/dla.mil or http://twitter.com/dlamil.
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