Vietnam: As the medic, I was on the roster to cook team Meals for the Advisory Team. Since it was Our First Thanksgiving with our Vietnamese Counterparts, I thought it would be nice to invite the Viet Regional Force Staff and to our team Thanksgiving Dinner.
The Viet Co, Xo, S1-4, Adj and SGM graciously accepted. I wanted to put forth the traditional spread of Turkey and the Fixens I labored real hard to get the necessary Menu items (Less minor substitutions: Jam for Cranberry Sauce and Duck for Turkey)
The Dinner was at first a success and the Thanksgiving skit was a hoot ( a Pilgrim (Large, White, Round Eyes in a CAV hat) meeting and accepting food from the Indians ( Short, Feathered, Mountainyard Type) I think the interpreter lost something in the translation because I heard the word Custer and then V/Staff rolled with Laughter.
The next day was a disaster: The whole V/Staff had Stomach Cramps and Diarrhea: Seems the buttered honey glazed yams, mince pie, apple juice and Jam were too rich for their restricted digestive systems (Plus to save face they all accepted a second helping when offered).
I provided apologies, medicine, and comforting words.. Blaming it on the BAD DUCK bought in the village (wink wink).
The Vietnamese Commander of the Regional Force, Laughed with me, when He said "I can't wait to think up the excuse for missing your Xmas Dinner".
Come to think about it, There were a few revisions in the mince pies ingredients and I don't remember, what all I stuffed in that DUCK !!!
Well anyway, The thought was there. I was there to WIN the HEARTS and MINDS and nothing else.