3rd Brigade Combat Team celebrates Thanksgiving dinner at new DFAC

The Turret, Sgt. Brandon Sandefur, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Divison-Fort Knox's 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Divison used its brand new dining facility to hold Thanksgiving dinner for its Soldiers Nov. 25.  The meal was held at the 3-1 IBCT dining facility on post prior to the Soldiers departure for Thanksgiving break.

The dining facility staff and volunteers from the local community pitched in to set up the dinner for the Soldiers, including displays located throughout the DFAC.  The DFAC staff not only provided the meal but prepped the facility and provided several special items to make the event a little more memorable.  An array of ice sculptures located throughout the facility were carved into several crests from the unit and the divisional "Big Red One."

The 3-1 Brigade Food Service Advisor, Warrant Officer Joshua Johnston, and Master Sgt. Clinton Ellis of Brigade Food Service shared the same opinion about what made the event possible.

"This was a team effort and everyone pitched in," said Ellis and Johnston.

"Having things like this are good because it brings camaraderie to the unit, especially during the holidays when everyone may or may not have their Family here with them," said Ellis.

The DFAC staff played a big role setting up the dinner.  DFAC manager Homer Wine Jr., a retired Army sergeant first class, noted the effort that it took.

"I've got 126 employees and it was a team effort, " said Wine.  "We did a lot of prep for this and many people stayed here late a couple of nights.  Even my wife helped out with this.

"We feel that taking care of Soldiers is what we should be doing.  We want to feed them a good meal and take care of them for all that they do."

The dinner, as is the tradition, was served by members of the brigade chain of command.  The Commander, Col. Christopher Toner, and brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Drew Pumarejo, along with numerous members of the battalion chain of command helped serve the Soldiers.

The 3-1 IBCT Dining Facility is located on Brave Rifles Regiment Avenue, near the intersection with Old Ironsides.