Veterans Thanksgiving
Military Thanksgiving History
Revolutionary and Civil War
Days of Thanksgiving were declared during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to unify the nation during times of war. One resolution during the Revolutionary War asked all people to give thanks for many reasons, including:
“…To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE…”
During the Civil War, great preparations were made to ensure soldiers had Thanksgiving supplies. However, it was wartime, and not every Soldier was able to stop and celebrate Thanksgiving.
WW1
By World War I, auxiliary organizations such as the Red Cross and YMCA started to aid in providing Thanksgiving dinner to soldiers. Dinners were made, and football games between rival units were organized. In France, right after Armistice Day, French families invited Soldiers into their homes, banquet halls were reserved, and theatrical performances were put on.
Days of Thanksgiving were declared during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to unify the nation during times of war. One resolution during the Revolutionary War asked all people to give thanks for many reasons, including:
“…To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE…”
During the Civil War, great preparations were made to ensure soldiers had Thanksgiving supplies. However, it was wartime, and not every Soldier was able to stop and celebrate Thanksgiving.
WW1
By World War I, auxiliary organizations such as the Red Cross and YMCA started to aid in providing Thanksgiving dinner to soldiers. Dinners were made, and football games between rival units were organized. In France, right after Armistice Day, French families invited Soldiers into their homes, banquet halls were reserved, and theatrical performances were put on.
WW2
World War II saw the replacement of C- or K-rations with turkey and cranberry. Wherever possible, Thanksgiving food was shipped or transported by the military to service-members on the frontlines. In areas where it was not possible, the food was sourced from local farmers, or whatever could be put together for a meal.
Korean War
During the Korean War in the 1950s, American soldiers stationed in South Korea were craving a traditional Thanksgiving feast, but since they had no turkey, they used chicken. The soldiers fried the chicken and shared the meal with their fellow Korean soldiers.
Interesting fact: In the 1940s and 1950s, South Korea, supported by the United States, was embroiled in a brutal proxy war with North Korea, which the former Soviet Union and China supported. The story goes that during Thanksgiving one-year, American soldiers stationed in South Korea wanted to prepare a meal that reminded them of home, but they had no access to turkey. Instead, they used chicken and decided to fry it and then shared the meal with their fellow Korean soldiers. Most commonly, chicken was eaten steamed or boiled in Korea, like in Samgyetang where a small, whole, rice-stuffed chicken is cooked in a ginseng broth, so the crispy delicacy caught on quickly.
Read More: https://www.foodrepublic.com/1320178/korean-fried-chicken-invention-history-battlefield/
Vietnam War
By the time the Vietnam War rolled around, advances in food preservation and transportation made it possible for the majority of soldiers to eat two hot meals per day. To serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal, soldiers were rotated off the front lines
Gulf, Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
During these wars, American military had excellent logistics regarding transportation of foods into the operational areas. For forward operating areas, meals were often prepared using ready-to-eat meals (MREs) or in field kitchens. Those MREs usually included a Thanksgiving-themed meal option.
World War II saw the replacement of C- or K-rations with turkey and cranberry. Wherever possible, Thanksgiving food was shipped or transported by the military to service-members on the frontlines. In areas where it was not possible, the food was sourced from local farmers, or whatever could be put together for a meal.
Korean War
During the Korean War in the 1950s, American soldiers stationed in South Korea were craving a traditional Thanksgiving feast, but since they had no turkey, they used chicken. The soldiers fried the chicken and shared the meal with their fellow Korean soldiers.
Interesting fact: In the 1940s and 1950s, South Korea, supported by the United States, was embroiled in a brutal proxy war with North Korea, which the former Soviet Union and China supported. The story goes that during Thanksgiving one-year, American soldiers stationed in South Korea wanted to prepare a meal that reminded them of home, but they had no access to turkey. Instead, they used chicken and decided to fry it and then shared the meal with their fellow Korean soldiers. Most commonly, chicken was eaten steamed or boiled in Korea, like in Samgyetang where a small, whole, rice-stuffed chicken is cooked in a ginseng broth, so the crispy delicacy caught on quickly.
Read More: https://www.foodrepublic.com/1320178/korean-fried-chicken-invention-history-battlefield/
Vietnam War
By the time the Vietnam War rolled around, advances in food preservation and transportation made it possible for the majority of soldiers to eat two hot meals per day. To serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal, soldiers were rotated off the front lines
Gulf, Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
During these wars, American military had excellent logistics regarding transportation of foods into the operational areas. For forward operating areas, meals were often prepared using ready-to-eat meals (MREs) or in field kitchens. Those MREs usually included a Thanksgiving-themed meal option.
Soldiers Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Video: WWII
From Bing Crosby's White Christmas Special
Thanksgiving Video: Korea
Thanksgiving Video: Vietnam
Thanksgiving Video:
Iraq & Afghanistan
Iraq
Afghanistan