Troops Received a Taste of Home with Holiday Turkeys Thanks to Exchange, DLA

Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Buelna shows his love of turkey and the Exchange for helping provide his holiday feast.

While families around the world gather for the holidays, service members deployed to Iraq will be thousands of miles from friends and family.

The Exchange and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) brought a taste of home to American troops serving in the Middle East during the holidays, deploying frozen turkeys from the U.S. to the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC) and Baghdad Embassy Complex (BEC) Exchanges.

Thirty-six turkeys were delivered to Baghdad exchanges in time for troops to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and stores still had plenty in stock for the holidays.

“It means the world to have the Exchange stocked with turkeys for the holidays,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Buelna. “I have spent many holidays away from my family during my military service and have been impressed with the commitment that the Exchange demonstrates to the armed forces.”

The Exchange has offered dry goods to service members in Iraq since returning to the country last year. It first began offering frozen beef in April through a cooperative agreement with DLA, departments of Defense and State. The arrangement allows frozen products to enter the country through DLA Troop Support’s transport lines for dining facilities.