Philadelphia Agency Provides U.S. Troops Overseas With Holiday Meals
By Brad Segall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands of U.S. troops are away from home this holiday weekend, but that doesn't mean they're missing out on the traditional holiday meals.
Military forces in Afghanistan and Kuwait and State Department officials in Iraq have all they need to observe Easter and Passover this weekend, thanks to America's combat logistics support agency. Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support in Northeast Philadelphia began preparing for this weekend six months ago. The Easter menu includes more than 40,000 pounds of turkey, 30,000 pounds of ham and nearly 100,000 pounds of seafood.
"The traditional items like salmon, bone-in chicken, gefilte fish...that all comes in their case, and they order two cases if they're going to honor Passover for the entire eight days," explains Director of Customer Operations Rich Faso, who adds that there is a Kosher Passover menu, too.
The deliveries were made to nearly 300 dining facilities and distribution points. Faso says it's designed to make the soldiers feel at home even though they are thousands of miles away.
