Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Episode Title: What It Takes to Bring Thanksgiving to Soldiers in Danger
Host: Bill Kristol (The Bulwark)
Guest: Mark Hertling (Retired Lt. General, U.S. Army)
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by Bill Kristol, centers on the unique and meaningful tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving within the U.S. military, whether at home bases, abroad, or even in combat zones. Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling draws on decades of service to share a behind-the-scenes look at the immense logistical, emotional, and cultural efforts that go into ensuring service members—no matter where they are—feel the impact of this American holiday. The discussion explores both lighthearted and moving moments, demonstrates military camaraderie, and highlights the importance of civilian support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving on Military Bases: Festivity and Tradition

• Garrison Celebrations:
  • Thanksgiving on post ("garrison") is a major annual event. Military cooks, called "food service specialists" or nicknamed "spoons," turn dining facilities into "a wonderland."
  • "The cooks and the mess chiefs and the mess halls...turn into a wonderland. It is unbelievable, the things they do, the amount of food they prepare." – Mark Hertling [01:09]
  • Decorations include elaborate ice carvings, abundant turkey, cakes, pies, and treats. Families and single soldiers alike partake; attendees dress up for the occasion.
  • Leadership, including officers in full dress uniforms, serve food to soldiers and families. This breaks the usual hierarchy and builds camaraderie, though often causes "mess sergeants" some logistical headaches.
  • Dining facilities compete fiercely for the title of "best dining facility," judged by commanding generals.

2. Thanksgiving in Combat and on Deployment: Logistical Feats and Morale

• Logistical Challenges:

  • Even in active war zones and remote locations, the military strives to provide a full Thanksgiving meal.
  • General Hertling references World War II, when General Marshall ensured "1600 tons of turkey" were shipped to the troops.
  • Food delivery for soldiers in isolation, such as missile crews in remote Dakotas or sailors on long deployments, requires months of planning and storage.
  • "The amount of supply chain requirements to do that is just phenomenal. It is a monumental effort...just to show the soldiers who are fighting that people care about them." – Hertling [03:51]

• Impact on Troop Morale:

  • A Thanksgiving feast in combat zones is a powerful morale booster.
  • Bill Kristol recounts his Marine son's experience in Afghanistan:
    "They were in intense combat and they got full turkey dinner. And it really was...it meant a lot to them." – Bill Kristol [05:44]
  • Hertling recounts his own tradition of visiting every outpost within his command area on Thanksgiving Day, delivering treats and personally shaking hands with troops.

3. Personal Stories & Memorable Moments

• Near Beer and Twinkies Tradition:

  • Sergeant Major Roger Blackwood, inspired by a memory from Desert Storm, made it a mission to bring Twinkies to soldiers each Thanksgiving.
  • Hertling and Blackwood carried cases of Twinkies and "near beer" in a Blackhawk helicopter, distributing them to outposts across Northern Iraq.
    "We had about 12 cases of Twinkies in the back of the Blackhawk helicopter...personally hand deliver the near beer and the Twinkies..." – Mark Hertling [06:32]

• Celebrating with Allies Abroad:

  • Army bases in Germany invite local German friends to join Thanksgiving, sharing American traditions and creating cross-cultural exchanges.
    “They understand what we’re eating...we’ve taught them about Thanksgiving and Halloween, and they’ve taught us some of their local festivals.” – Mark Hertling [11:21]

• Family Memories:

  • Hertling shares a story of his father, a WWII Army vet, being delighted by the scale and joy of a military-base Thanksgiving in the U.S.

4. Civilian Support: Operation Gratitude and Care Packages

• Operation Gratitude:

  • Founded by Carolyn Blashek, an American civilian, Operation Gratitude sends care packages to troops overseas.
  • In 2003, Blashek promised Hertling packages for all 30,000 soldiers under his command—and delivered.
  • "She immediately wrote back...and said, 'General, if you give me 30,000 names, I'll get you 30,000 packages.' And she did." – Hertling [12:58]
  • The organization grew from her living room to a large-scale charity, even sending a Jeep as a prize in its 2-millionth package, hand-delivered to Iraq.
  • Kristol connects this to America’s tradition of spontaneous civic association:
    “It's a Case study of...what Tocqueville said about America. These people form associations. She didn't get, you know, no one told her to do this.” – Bill Kristol [14:02]

• Encouragement for Civilians to Participate:

  • Civilians can support troops through care packages, letters, and organizations like Operation Gratitude.
  • Even small gestures—sending Twinkies or snacks—are deeply appreciated in the field.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mess Hall Thanksgiving:

  • "If you haven't been to a dining facility in the army or any of the other services...They have ice carvings...turkeys and cakes and pies and things all over the place. And the families come in in their Sunday best." – Hertling [01:09]

• On the Importance of the Tradition:

  • “The military doesn't want to leave anyone out, whether it be family in a garrison environment, or soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guardsmen, and guardians of the space force.” – Hertling [03:51]

• On Leadership’s Role:

  • “Leaders...go in and serve the families from behind the mess hall lines. So literally, the captains and the majors and the generals...are with the ladles and the spoon serving the turkey...” – Hertling [01:09]

• On Operation Gratitude:

  • “This organization...now it's in a big auditorium where they pack boxes for soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines...it was her 2 millionth package that she had delivered to soldiers over a 10 year period of time. Wonderful story.” – Hertling [14:29]

• Bill Kristol’s Closing Reflection:

  • "So we should wish Happy Thanksgiving to all the young men and women serving us all around the world." – Kristol [15:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving on Base Traditions: [01:09]–[03:41]
• Combat Zone Logistics & Stories: [03:51]–[06:32]
• Personal Memories and Mess Hall Competitions: [06:32]–[11:09]
• International and Family Aspects: [11:09]–[12:34]
• Civilian Support, Operation Gratitude: [12:34]–[15:49]
• Closing Thoughts and Thanksgiving Wishes: [15:49]–[16:01]

Final Thoughts

Mark Hertling’s stories and insights draw a vivid portrait of the U.S. military’s unwavering commitment to maintain the spirit of Thanksgiving wherever its members may be. From high-level logistics to personal gestures like Twinkies and care packages, the episode is a moving reminder of the simple but profound ways tradition, leadership, and civilian involvement come together to offer gratitude and comfort to those far from home.

"Thanks for doing this story. It's the better side of the military right now." – Mark Hertling [15:57]