Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett About 200 Soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center active duty rehabilitation unit shared an early Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 12 at the American Legion Post 205. Members of Fort Gordon’s Warrior Transition Battalion and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center’s active duty rehabilitation unit had an early Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 12 at the American Legion Post 205.

“We will have 200 here today,” said Fred Zamora, post commander. “We will have a Christmas dinner on Dec. 10.”

Turkey, dressing, desserts and all the traditional fixings were part of the meal at the post. About 18 volunteers prepared the meal.

“This is veterans to Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Edwin Larkin, commander of the Warrior Transition Battalion. “It’s reinforcing community.”

Larkin said it’s good for active duty Soldiers to interact with the veterans who’ve gone before them and paved the way.

“What is meant to be a Soldier in the past, it still means to be a Soldier today. What they do means the world to us,” he said.

In addition to the dinner, the post had a drawing for several fruit baskets and gave each wounded warrior in attendance a special take home gift.

The Soldiers appreciated more than just the meal provided.

“I think it’s really great people take time to give back,” said Staff Sgt. Sherry Summerour, who plans to spend Thanksgiving Day with family in Atlanta.

Staff Sgt. Hosea Lark echoed Larkin’s comments about being with other veterans.

“I think today’s wonderful having the veterans of the past, present and future together to share in this joyous occasion,” he said.