Local Artist/Soldier's Talents Brighten Camp Striker's Chow Hall
- Nov 05, 2007 -
CAMP STRIKER Standing in the middle of the largest military dining facility in Iraq, Spc. Kristy Paulson remembers what the cavernous chow hall used to look like a dusty parking lot.
CAMP STRIKER Standing in the middle of the largest military dining facility in Iraq, Spc. Kristy Paulson remembers what the cavernous chow hall used to look like a dusty parking lot.
CAMP STRIKER Standing in the middle of the largest military dining facility in Iraq, Spc. Kristy Paulson remembers what the cavernous chow hall used to look like a dusty parking lot.
"We've come a long way in the past year," said Paulson, a food service specialist with 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). "We all worked as a team to make this place run as an efficient machine to get soldiers fed."
As soldiers from a myriad of units pass through the entrance, a huge mural of 10th Mountain troops, silhouetted by a distinctly Middle Eastern sunset, greets them. Paulson, from Menomonie, painted, "about 98 percent" of the mural.
"I'm proud that we have this DFAC [Dining Facility] to show for our tour," said Sgt. 1st Class Lucretia Gordon, noncommissioned officer in charge of the DFAC. "It's all about doing things better for the soldiers."
Gordon said she had the opportunity to make decisions about the building's and tailored it to suit soldiers who wanted to come in and relax between missions.
"Instead of the usual rooms with sports channels on, we thought a movie room would be a better idea," said Gordon, who is from Atlanta, Ga. "It"s a good place to just chill out for awhile."
With several huge plasma screens, surround sound and a popcorn machine, the movie room is a popular place to eat lunch.
Other accoutrements include neon signs, hanging plants and framed movie posters.
Spc. Mark Johnsen, a food service specialist with 2nd BSTB, said he was impressed by the civilian contractors who helped build and run the chow hall.
"All the (Kellogg, Brown and Root) contractors and the construction guys worked with us as a tight team," said Johnsen, from Askov, Minn. "It's been exciting to see it evolve."
"There were some bumps and bruises on the road, but we went from a tent to having the best DFAC in theater," Johnsen added. "Ask anyone ?it's the best."
As Johnsen, Paulson and Gordon prepare to leave Iraq after a 15-month tour, they will begin training their replacements from the 101st Airborne Division.
"We've come a long way in the past year," said Paulson, a food service specialist with 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). "We all worked as a team to make this place run as an efficient machine to get soldiers fed."
As soldiers from a myriad of units pass through the entrance, a huge mural of 10th Mountain troops, silhouetted by a distinctly Middle Eastern sunset, greets them. Paulson, from Menomonie, painted, "about 98 percent" of the mural.
"I'm proud that we have this DFAC [Dining Facility] to show for our tour," said Sgt. 1st Class Lucretia Gordon, noncommissioned officer in charge of the DFAC. "It's all about doing things better for the soldiers."
Gordon said she had the opportunity to make decisions about the building's and tailored it to suit soldiers who wanted to come in and relax between missions.
"Instead of the usual rooms with sports channels on, we thought a movie room would be a better idea," said Gordon, who is from Atlanta, Ga. "It"s a good place to just chill out for awhile."
With several huge plasma screens, surround sound and a popcorn machine, the movie room is a popular place to eat lunch.
Other accoutrements include neon signs, hanging plants and framed movie posters.
Spc. Mark Johnsen, a food service specialist with 2nd BSTB, said he was impressed by the civilian contractors who helped build and run the chow hall.
"All the (Kellogg, Brown and Root) contractors and the construction guys worked with us as a tight team," said Johnsen, from Askov, Minn. "It's been exciting to see it evolve."
"There were some bumps and bruises on the road, but we went from a tent to having the best DFAC in theater," Johnsen added. "Ask anyone ?it's the best."
As Johnsen, Paulson and Gordon prepare to leave Iraq after a 15-month tour, they will begin training their replacements from the 101st Airborne Division.
