Special thanks in the ranks

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alescia Kretschmer is planning a big Thanksgiving meal today with all the trimmings.

In dress blues, Army Col. Michael Stine fixes a plate of turkey and beef to serve to soldiers of 45th Corps Support Group Forward at Schofield Barracks. The unit had turkey yesterday so the cooks can rest today. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The first spread is planned by the Acey Deucey Association, a group of first- and second-class petty officers at the Pearl Harbor Sub Base providing Thanksgiving meals for "watchstanders" — sailors who occasionally work 12-hour days and can't leave their posts.

"This is just something we do on our own that comes out of our pockets," said Kretschmer, president of the Acey Deuceys. "I think this year Thanksgiving has a whole lot more meaning to people here because of Sept. 11. The work hours are longer, the workload is greater, and some families are separated from a military member who is either deployed right now or just around the corner from their home standing watch."

Thanksgiving always has been a big affair on base. Army dining facilities each year try to outdo one another in culinary competition, and officers often serve up meals to the enlisted ranks.

Master Sgt. Clinton Jackson, a food service supervisor at Schofield Barracks, said it's the biggest day of the year for food services.

"For the cooks, it's like the Super Bowl," Jackson said. "To win 'best on installation' is like winning the Super Bowl."

But this year, whether the Thanksgiving celebration is big or small, extra thanks are being given. Meals are prepared with extra care. There are more streamers and they are red, white and blue.

Threading through it all is the tacit understanding that the United States is at war, soldiers are risking their lives, and those here may be the next to go.

"Everyone needs to keep each others spirits up," Kretschmer said. "We have shipmates out there defending the country right now. It's a matter of taking care of each other so nobody loses their motivation or spirit."

At Tripler Army Medical Center, where 700 meals are expected to be served up today to staff members and patients, red, white and blue ribbons dominate the dining facility instead of the usual autumn holiday colors.

Sgt. Maj. Jerome Blackman, accompanied by daughter Jacquenita, prepares to dig into the roast turkey during yesterday's early Thanksgiving feast for more than 500 soldiers of 45th Corps Support Group (Forward) and their families yesterday at Schofield Barracks. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Pascua, an Army Reserve sergeant, said a majority of the kitchen crew are Vietnam veterans.

"This Thanksgiving is very special to us," Pascua said. "With so many veterans on staff, we just wanted to do something special to show our support to those who are serving our country today."

At Schofield Barracks, the 45th Corps Support Group (Forward), a logistical support unit for the Pacific Rim, decided to give its cooks a rare Thanksgiving Day off, and instead held its big lunchtime meal yesterday for 500 soldiers and family members.

The A-Quad cook staff, which won an award in fiscal 2000 for best dining facility in the Army, started Monday for the pre-Thanksgiving meal. Eighteen cooks worked through the night Tuesday to prepare 200 pounds of turkey, 50 pounds of ham, 100 pounds of crab legs and 100 pounds of Cornish game hens.

Amid ice carvings, gingerbread houses and giant cornucopias of bread was a cake featuring a bald eagle decoration, an American flag, the World Trade Center's twin towers in the background, and a tear on the eagle's face. The cake also carried the words, "Blessed Are the Peacemakers."

At the Hickam Air Force Base dining facility, commanders will be serving troops Thanksgiving meals today.

The sub base at Pearl Harbor also is putting on a holiday meal for single sailors. Some World War II veterans are expected to be part of the group on hand at the galley, called the Silver Dolphin Bistro.

The Navy's Kretschmer said the Acey Deucey Association plans to provide meals today for 30 to 35 communications specialists on duty.

"Everyone is cooking at home. We have roast beef, turkey, stuffing — everything you will have on your dinner table (this) afternoon," Kretschmer said. "We're having it centrally located so they can leave their work space, go around the corner, and have a meal."

After helping put on the Thanksgiving meal at the base, Kretsch-

mer will be able to be with her husband, Mark, for the holiday. The ship that Mark Kretschmer serves on, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie, recently arrived back home to Pearl Harbor.

Ensign John Gary said the effort, whether by the galley cooks, or groups like the Acey Deuceys, is appreciated.

"The (galley staff) take holiday time very seriously," Gary said. "They put out every bit of training they have, and the effort they go to is above and beyond anything they need to."

Gary added that at a time when Acey Deucey members can be home with their families for Thanksgiving, "they are here (on base) supporting us."

"I think it helps a lot," he said of the Thanksgiving efforts. "I've been in the Navy for 14 years. The Navy is my family, and everyone here is my family."

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.