US troops deployed and stationed overseas celebrate Thanksgiving with warm meals and each other’s company

Troops receive food during a Thanksgiving celebration at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, serves Thanksgiving Day meals to service members during a routine visit to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. (Mason Congleton/U.S. Navy)

Some U.S. service members currently deployed and stationed overseas were unable to join their families at the table this Thanksgiving. But even far from home, they celebrated the holiday with traditional meals and each other’s company.

Chow halls and galleys across U.S. military bases served Thanksgiving meals which included turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pies and more Thanksgiving favorites to give troops a taste of home as they train or pursue their missions.

Service members stationed at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, gather around a table to share a Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration at the Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Warrior Grill features traditional dishes prepared collaboratively by U.S. Army cooks and their Polish counterparts, fostering camaraderie and a sense of home among those serving far from their families. (Bryan Araujo/U.S. Army)

Col. Jesse Chace, USAG-Poland Commander, and Mr. Matt De Pirro, USAG-Poland Deputy Garrison Commander, serve Thanksgiving plates to service members and civilians at the Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Warrior Grill, Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, on Nov. 28, 2024. Upholding Army tradition, leaders participate in the meal service to foster community and gratitude among those stationed far from home. (Bryan Araujo/U.S Army)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan Buettner, 2nd Battalion, 12th Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, serves soldiers a Thanksgiving meal in the field during the Tumak 24 exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Site (BPTA), Poland, on Nov. 28 2024. (Christopher Saunders/U.S. Army)

Capt. Rafael Facundo, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, serves a guest at the Commodore Matthew C. Perry General Mess during an Open Galley Event to serve Thanksgiving meals to the Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka base community members Thursday, Nov. 28. The galley staff prepared 22 turkeys, 17 baked hams, 15 ribeye roasts, and 10 pans of traditional sides including macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and green bean casserole among other favorites over two days in anticipation of serving approximately 1,000 guests. (James Kimber/U.S. Navy)

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to C-Company “Wildcards”, 2nd Battalion, 12th Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, celebrate Thanksgiving in the field during the Tumak 24 exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Site (BPTA), Poland on Nov. 28 2024. (Christopher Saunders/U.S. Army)

A service member reaching to grab his Thanksgiving meal

The Commodore Matthew C. Perry General Mess hosted an Open Galley Event to serve Thanksgiving meals to the Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka base community members Thursday, Nov. 28. The galley staff prepared 22 turkeys, 17 baked hams, 15 ribeye roasts, and 10 pans of traditional sides including macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and green bean casserole among other favorites over two days in anticipation of serving approximately 1,000 guests. (James Kimber/U.S. Navy)

Command Sgt. Maj. James Light, the senior enlisted advisor for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, hands tray of food to a soldier during a Thanksgiving meal at Camp Aachen on Grafenwohr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 22, 2018. (Craig Norton/382nd Public Affairs Detachment)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, serves up food for the service members and foreign partners at Camp Lemonnier on Nov. 28, 2024. Key leaders from camp traded places with galley workers to serve the troops for Thanksgiving. (George Keck/U.S. Air National Guard)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert B. Sofge Jr., Commander, Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, center, serves food at the Doris Miller Galley to the Marines, sailors, and Civilians deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Nov. 28, 2024. The personnel assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa ate a Thanksgiving meal including ham, turkey, pie, and eggnog. (Donato Maffin/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert B. Sofge Jr., Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, left, and gt. Maj. Roland R. McGinnis, Sergeant Major of MARFOREUR/AF, serve food at the Doris Miller Galley to the Marines, sailors, and Civilians deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Donato Maffin/U.S. Marine Corps)

Multinational forces and distinguished guests celebrate Thanksgiving with a feast at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 28, 2024. Distinguished guests attending the event included Kosovo President, Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, and U.S. Ambassador to The Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Jeffrey M. Hovenier. (Cheryl Madolev/U.S. Army National Guard)

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, serves Thanksgiving Day meals to service members

For months, The Defense Logistics Agency and supply centers for the armed forces worked to ensure troops had traditional holiday meals to feast on regardless of where they are deployed. This year, roughly 700,000 pounds of Thanksgiving food staples were served to troops deployed to hard-to-reach places around the world.

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US troops deployed and stationed overseas celebrate Thanksgiving with warm meals and each other’s company

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