Posted on 05/28/2008 4:57:26 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
It's easy to understand how Minnesota National Guard soldiers deployed overseas would miss lots of things about home.
Things like sitting down to a simple Sunday dinner with family.
A number of years ago, that notion struck St. Paul City Councilman Pat Harris as he sipped a beverage at Mancini's Char House on West 7th, and he decided that an overseas dinner was do-able.
Harris didn't have to go far for help.
Mancini's, Cossetta, O'Garas, Skinners Pub, are among the familiar names on St. Paul's restaurant landscape that power and help fund an effort called 'Serving our Troops.' It's a collective that for the past four years has cooked an elaborate steak dinner for Minnesota soldiers and their families.
"I really think it comes down to how proud Minnesota is," Harris said, "and how proud our team is of those folks serving our country, and those folks at home sacrificing."
On Wednesday night, a team of 16 cooks, including Harris and members of the Mancini and Cosetta families, flew out for Kosovo where on Sunday, they will cook for 400 Guard members in the Minnesota-based 135th Infantry's 2nd Battalion A Company. The same steaks cooked on Mancini's legendary grill have already been shipped to Kosovo.
On the homefront, more volunteers will cook the same dinner for an estimated 500 family members who will gather in Rochester. Frank Cossetta is helping with both food and logistics.
"We've got all of our layouts of the different tents, the staging area, the kitchen area, the beverage area," explained Cosetta, who has been involved in the execution of three 'Serving our Troops' dinners. "All these different plans need to be finalized, and looked over one more time before we get down to Rochester to know exactly where these things need to be."
The sheer volume of food and equipment needed to pull off dinner for 1,000 is daunting.
Organizers provided this laundry list of what they will serve in Rochester alone.
750 lbs of steak 300 lbs of chicken breasts 1500 salads 1500 baked potatoes 1500 brownies
Schell Brewing CEO Ted Marti will also make the trip to Kosovo. He'll provide cold beverages for the troops, and musician Martin Zeller of Gear Daddies fame will provide the music. A satellite video link will allow family members and their soldiers to visit from thousands of miles away.
Mancini's steaks.....
Video report at link.
Awesome
Kudos to these guys, and thanks for posting this.
Mancinis rules
The small business community in St. Paul is the real deal. Great folks with huge hearts. They have been blessed and they give it right back, every chance they get.
As liberal as this state is, they sure know how to honor their military....I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the post
Stop it!!!
;-)
This is so sweet!
Been there 100 times. Our office was at West 7th and Otto Avenue. It is a good place.
A year ago already? Whew.
Wow...
How’s the cholesterol??
;-)
ping
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