CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Mess halls throughout Camp Pendleton served Thanksgiving meals to Marines and Sailors, Nov. 27.
More than 100 service members who could not engage in the Thanksgiving festivities at home due to work obligations or a lack of transportation, were given a chance to experience some of the holiday spirit on base with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
“Our Marines and Sailors provide a fantastic service to the country and the least we can do is provide them with a quality meal as close to where they work at or reside at as possible,” said Kevin Hollingsworth, general manager at the 13 Area Mess Hall. “This is the least we can do to give back for what they’re doing.”
The items on the menu included traditional herb roast turkey with gravy, roast beef, baked ham with pineapple sauce, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, glazed sweet potatoes, sweet corn, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls.
Participants at the 13 Area Mess Hall were treated to a venue adorned with Thanksgiving-themed decorations such as pumpkins, corn and turkeys.
“Hopefully the decorations are going to help the Mess Hall seem more cozy,” said Hollingsworth. “We want them to feel comfortable and relaxed as if they were at home.”
Single Marine Program recreation centers at the 21, 22, 33, 41, 43, 53 and 62 Areas also provided Marines and Sailors without a place to go for dinner with a warm community.
In addition, the Pacific Views Events Center held a Thanksgiving buffet brunch and lunch for service members and their families.
For more information on upcoming festivities on base during the holiday season, please visit the Marine Corps Community Services holiday events website at http://www.mccscp.com/holiday.