Familiar Food Delivers a Slice of American Life to Troops in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
While Thanksgiving may conjure up thoughts of lazy days filled with stuffed turkey, yams, family, football and, of course, pumpkin pie, many of America's bravest will be lucky to pause 30 minutes in the deserts of Iraq or Afghanistan to acknowledge the holiday.
For troops deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, their Thanksgiving feast may be a Turkey sandwich at the Baghdad Subway, an Orange Julius in Kabul, Afghanistan, or even a Big Mac at the Aerial Port of Debarkation-Life Support Area McDonald's in Kuwait.
All of these, including more than 100 other name brand fast food locations in and around Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, are operated on secure military installations by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) for deployed troops.
"AAFES even has a food court with a Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Cinnabon, Taco Bell and Popeye's all co-located at Camp Cooke in Iraq," said AAFES' Chief of Corporate Communications Lt. Col. Debra Pressley. "The smells, the sights and the sounds can instantly transport troops, however briefly, from war zones to comfort zones."
Through AAFES' "Gifts from the Homefront" program, anyone can play a part in delivering this "comfort food" to Americans who will be spending their holidays on the front line of the Global War on Terrorism.
By simply logging on to aafes.org or calling 1-877-770-4438, any individual, civic organization or business can purchase a gift certificate that can be redeemed for burgers, pizzas, chicken or tacos at any of the popular fast food outlets scattered throughout Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
"Gifts from the Homefront" gift certificates can be sent to a specific Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through the American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society, Fisher House or USO.
AAFES officials report that demand for fast food in the contingency theater is insatiable. In fact, the overwhelming craving for Whoppers and fries by the troops at Camp Liberty, Iraq, necessitated the need for AAFES to open a mobile Burger King this past summer.
"Before we introduced the mobile unit, Camp Liberty's stationary Burger King was serving up more than 300 apple pies, 1,100 Whoppers and 450 pounds of French fries to 1,200 customers a day," said Lt. Col. Pressley.
The mobile Burger King, featuring a standard menu of Whoppers, chicken sandwiches and fries, operates from a custom-fabricated truck fitted with a kitchen designed to produce Whoppers anywhere troops are deployed. The mobile unit boasts a full-size broiler, capable of cooking up to 200 meat patties an hour, and two fryers for chicken sandwiches and fries.
"If you can't eat Thanksgiving dinner with family, your true loved ones such as your parents, children and friends, there's no better alternative than eating comfort food with your military family," said Lt. Col. Pressley. "I hope every American family enjoying the holiday will make a point to log on or call to help show our military that while they may be gone, they are not forgotten."
