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Steak Team Mission grills Afghanistan
Regional Command Southwest
Date: 05.02.2012
Posted: 05.06.2012 07:57
News ID: 87980
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DULUTH, Afghanistan – The Steak Team
Mission is at it again. After 10 years of serving steaks to troops
across the world, STM, a Texas-based nonprofit organization, is back
in Afghanistan.
The team of eleven arrived early in the week for preparation to serve
2,000 meals to troops at forward operating bases throughout
Afghanistan. They flew from Texas with all the supplies it takes to
serve that many people.
The grills, large enough for 40 steaks at a time, were welded together
by the engineers at the combat battalions. They were either flown on
the plane with the team or set up ahead of time before the crew
arrived. To make this mission possible, the charcoal was brought in
from Kuwait, the steaks are from Texas and the teams were men from all
regions of the United States.
The objective was to divide into two teams to reach six FOBs in three
days. Logistically, the coordination took months to plan and the
Marines from billeting and food service stepped onboard to execute the
cuisine success.
The men volunteered their time and finances to give thanks to the
service members fighting on the frontlines. The best way for them to
give back was to travel 7,000 miles into a combat zone with a little
taste of home.
“This is where we want to be,” said Tony Booth, a dedicated and
committed member of the team as he lit the barbeque he designed for
the engineers to make. They wanted to be with the service members with
the dirt on their boots because they had such a good time last year,
they wanted to do it again this year, said Booth.
Every year there are new steak team members who go out on missions
with Booth as he is a seasoned veteran of the STM and has more than 10
years of experience under his belt. He is happy to show the news guys
the ropes and share his experiences along the way.
On the FOBs, the service members are happy to lend a hand and open up
their kitchens to the STM. Since FOB life is usually two hot meals a
day and those normally come out of a can or foil wrap, the steak crew
was warmly welcomed. The new faces and good food are what FOB life
needs.
“This is our way of giving back,” said Ronnie Yankey, a newcomer
to STM, a retired firefighter and former Marine during Vietnam. “We
just want to give them a little taste of home.”
And the service members could not be more thankful to the team.
“Better than I thought it could be in Afghanistan,” said Sgt.
Chandler Wakefield, a native of Charlotte, N.C., Weapons Company, 2nd
Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Forward Operating Base Duluth.
As the food was being prepared, the team members toured the austere
base and were able to talk personally with the ones who are
sacrificing their lives for their country.
“What we went through to get here is nothing compared to what these
guys go through,” added Booth with his Texas drawl.
For starters, an appetizer of bacon wrapped in a finger-bite sirloin
and peppers was served. The smell of the barbeque enticed the guys out
of their tents and they start to gather around the grill waiting for
the main dish. Smash, the improvised explosive detection dog, licked
her lips and wagged her tail when she smelled the steak.
For their entrée, STM prepared cole slaw, jalapeño cornbread, baked
beans and for the main dish an eight-ounce sirloin made to order. The
STM left nothing behind including an ice cream bar for dessert. In the
desert heat, keeping the ice cream cold was a challenge, but the team
accomplished this task with portable coolers.
The appreciation for civilians coming out to serve this lucky meal to
the service members is valued. The message of thank you is different
from a civilian coming this far, said Capt. Charles Anklam III,
Weapons Company 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, FOB Duluth.
“It is a great treat and much appreciated,” said Anklam. “It is
good to be recognized by American citizens.”
After the meal, Anklam invited the troops and the team to the flagpole
for a few words of gratitude. He let them know that their actions were
well appreciated. Anklam then gave the team an American flag flow over
Afghanistan. Yankey then had the opportunity he had been waiting for,
to fly a flag for the 351 firefighters who lost their lives at the
World Trade Centers on 9/11.
The day was a remembrance for those who have come before and who will
come after.
As the sun began to set and the wind died down, the team packed up and
waited for the helicopter to take them to Camp Leatherneck. They met
up with the other team members, who were grilling at 2nd Bn., 5th
Marines, Combat Outpost Coutu.
After a good night’s sleep, the teams continued on to Musa Qu’la,
Edinburgh, Shagazi, and 7171 for more steak to be grilled and tributes
paid.
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 May
2, 2012 Afghanistan
Ronnie Yankey flew a flag of heroes at Weapons Company, 2nd
Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Forward Operating Base Duluth,
Afghanistan, for the 351 firefighters who lost their lives at the
World Trade Centers on 9/11. Yankey, a retired firefighter, was
happy to have the opportunity to do this. He was overwhelmed with
joy thanking the Marines because it meant so much to him.
Marines Enjoy Gourmet Steaks While Deployed
Video by: Lance Cpl. Mark Garcia
Over 150 Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine
Regiment, were able to enjoy 8 oz. tenderloin steaks brought to them
by the Steak Team Mission, May 2. Along with the steaks the Marines
were served an appetizer, coleslaw, cornbread, beans and an ice
cream bar. The Steak Team Mission, a not for profit organization,
has been supplying service members with meals since 2002. During
their time in Afghanistan the Steak Team Mission will have served
Marines at six locations.
I just wanted to pass on my thanks again for you and
your Steak Team's visit to Task Force Leatherneck. We are still
getting comments from Marines, that were able to enjoy the steaks,
that it was the best meal they ever had in Afghanistan. The amount of
media interest that your visit generated was overwhelming. I hope that
you and your team made it back to Texas safely and are enjoying being
back with their families. If there is anything that you need from the
Marines in Afghanistan, please let me know.
Semper Fidelis, Col Kyle Nickel
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