Future soldiers give thanks at Fort Jackson

[gtxvideo vid=”nEjQGr3I” playlist=”” pid=”rkijshg2″ thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/nEjQGr3I.jpg” vtitle=”Soldiers’ Thanksgiving”]

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (WOLO) — Soldiers in Fort Jackson’s basic training program took a break from the strenuous regimen Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving. At any given time on the base, there are as many as 10,000 soldiers in training. The rapid ten week schedule doesn’t allow for them to head home for Thanksgiving. That’s where Fort Jackson’s dining staff comes in. Soldiers in the 1st Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment got served up 1,200 pounds of the bird. If you’re looking for something different, there’s 1,000 pounds of ham, 800 pounds of prime rib or 300 pounds of steamed shrimp. “It’s our gift to them for being away from home and for serving and protecting us,” General Manager Jeff Simmons says. The dining staff has been slicing, chopping and mixing since Monday. They started ordering food six months ago. This dining hall went Mardi Gras-themed for 2015. The different regiments compete with each other for best theme. The soldiers are just thankful for the extra time they get to sit down and enjoy a meal with their new family, in their home-away-from-home.