On December 2, 2016, the ORTC Dinging Facility at Fort Hood, Texas, operated by VetPride Services, received a Certificate of Appreciation from Division West (First Army) for their “outstanding support and hospitality shown in support of all the Reserve, National Guard and Division West Soldiers during this Thanksgiving Holiday.”
VetPride pulled out all the stops this past Thanksgiving for the roughly 800 service men and women at Fort Hood who did not go home for the holiday. A live band played festive holiday music and top hits while everyone enjoyed a feast of carved ham, roast, and turkey, stuffed salmon peppers, shrimp cocktail, country fried sweet corn, candied yams, stuffing, hot rolls, cakes, and pies, which were beautifully displayed. Everyone was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“We take great pride in our food service, and are honored by this award,” says James Thombs, VetPride’s site manager at Fort Hood. Fort Hood is the last stop for many servicemen who are deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. “This is their last meal in the states,” says Thombs, “so we try to make it as homely and cordial as possible.”
In addition to preparing for the upcoming Christmas feast, the VetPride team is helping the VFW with their annual gift drive. VetPride team member, Mrs. McLendon, is leading the volunteering initiative. “She was very eager to help out,” explains Thombs, “that’s how she is, she’s a real go-getter.” McLendon went shopping with other VFW volunteers and gathered over 500 gifts that will be delivered to families in need this year.
Our gratitude and appreciation goes out to VetPride’s food service team at Fort Hood. Thank you for upholding VetPride’s core beliefs by serving the military community with pride and integrity.