Two hundred attend Thanksgiving SIGMO feast

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Two hundred Team Vance members had an early Thanksgiving feast Monday, Nov. 22, in the Community Chapel Activity Center. Ten large turkeys, four hams and all the fixings were served at the Singles' International Gourmet Meal Opportunity, a monthly meal for single Airmen and families of those deployed from Vance.

Sponsored by the 71st Medical Group and funded by the Vance Chapel and Airman & Family Readiness Center, the Thanksgiving feast included 80 pounds of potatoes, six gallons of green beans, six gallons of corn and 216 dinner rolls, said Sharron Schaefer, with the Medical Group.

"Members of the Med Group served the meals and our senior leaders carved the 10 turkeys," Ms. Schaefer said. Col. Douglas Curry, the 71st MDG commander; Lt. Col. Sabina Garrett, 71st Medical Support Squadron commander; Lt. Col. Thomas Bacon, 71st Medical Operations Squadron commander; and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Griner, 71st MDG superintendent, carved the birds.

"The commanders used electric knives, but the chief is more old-school and brought his own traditional carving knives," Ms. Schaefer said.

Desserts were donated, including pies, brownies, cookies and more. "We even had home-made cranberry sauce," said Ms. Schaefer.

Some of the left-over meals were packed up for serving at the next Alpha Course class at the Chapel and some were taken to Security Forces members on duty. Howard Deunk, a T-1 flight simulator operator in the 71st Operations Group, delivered the remaining food to Our Daily Bread, a local soup kitchen.

More people attended this Thanksgiving meal than any of the SIGMOs held earlier this year, said Chaplain (Capt.) Daniel Forman.

There will not be a SIGMO during December because most of the eligible attendees will be on leave or away from the base during the last week of the month. For more information about SIGMO, call 213-7211.