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Returning Troops Receive Hoosier Hospitality

By CPT Jessica A. Halladay

Soldiers recently returned from a mission in Kosovo enjoy a traditional holiday dinner at Grandma's Dinner in Trafalgar, Ind. Photo: Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

EDINBURGH, Ind. - Operations at Camp Atterbury are normal as usual, with mobilizing and demobilizing Soldiers and training, but recently, Soldiers returning home received a taste of Hoosier hospitality. A group of volunteers decided to open their restaurant and provide a traditional holiday dinner to Soldiers going through demobilization at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Edinburgh, Ind.

Soldiers recently returned from Iraq and Kosovo were treated to a holiday meal at Grandma's Diner in Trafalgar, Ind. Penny Williams, co-partner of Grandma's Diner, said she got the idea when it was pointed out that many Soldiers at Camp Atterbury did not get to go home for the holiday season.

Alisa Doll serves coffee to Master Sgt. Eugene Tapahonso, of Farmington, N.M., with the 116th Military Police Company, New Mexico National Guard, at Grandma'a Dinner in Trafalgar, Ind. Photo: Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

"We all pitched in to make this happen," said Williams. "We shut down the restaurant to serve the troops and show our appreciation." News of planning for the event travelled by word of mouth and Facebook, she said. "We received over 100 phone calls from people wanting to help. Everybody has been very generous. We want to show the troops that we are very grateful for all they do."

Spc. Kate Moore, of Las Cruces, N.M., with the 116th Military Police Company, New Mexico National Guard, who recently returned from Kosovo, said the greeting was unexpected. "I didn't think they would do anything like this since we're not from here," said Moore. "It really shows how kind the people of Indiana are, that they would open their restaurant to us and treat us like family."

Sgt. Eric Roberts, of Albuquerque, N.M., with 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, New Mexico National Guard, also returning from Kosovo, said that it was great that the members of the community were thinking of them.

Sgt. Antonio Johnson, of Flora Vista, N.M., with the 919th Military Police Company, New Mexico National Guard, is served a traditional holiday dinner by Molly Wolldridge, of Morgantown, Ind., at Grandma's Dinner in Trafalgar, Ind. Photo: Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

"This really hits home," he said. "This is a very kind gesture and we will not forget it. It makes a difference for Soldiers separated from our families." While people shutting down their business to feed a large group may seem odd to some, to Maj. Gen R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard and resident of the nearby town of Bargersville, this sort of behavior is characteristic of Hoosier values. "This is indicative of how patriotic a state we are," said Umbarger.

Karen Fleener, of Ninevah, Ind., greets Soldiers at the door of Grandma's Dinner in Trafalgar, Ind. with a hug. Photo: Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

"We are very proud of the military. It was really nice for the communities around Camp Atterbury to do this. They have really gone above the call of duty. I just wanted to come here and welcome these Soldiers home." Soldiers at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center will finish the demobilization process and make it home for Christmas, a gift well awaited by many families.

Spc. Javier Orozoco, of Albuquerque, N.M., with the 116th Military Police Company, New Mwxico National Guard, enjoys a piece of pie at Grandma'a Dinner in Trafalgar, Ind. Photo: Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs