Support Outback

[phuloi]

If this is a true story? This is a little long, but really worth reading.


For troops in Kandahar, comfort is an Outback meal delivered on a C-17. But for those traveling to prepare the meal, it's a nerve-wracking mission. The rumor started about a month ago. It spread through the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan like a dust storm in Kandahar. Nobody really believed it, because it sounded too good to be true. The Outback Steakhouse people were coming.... and they were bringing food! Members of the 101st Airborne, like all of the troops in Afghanistan, have been eating meals such as T-rations, food that is sealed in large tin containers. The entire container has to be boiled to heat the food. Powdered eggs the color of sand are a common T-ration breakfast entree. The possibility of ribeye steaks, grilled shrimp and, best of all, a deep-fried Bloomin' Onion, had them understandably excited.

About 3 a.m. on June 18, a C-17 landed at the Kandahar Airport. On board were 15 men and women in white Outback T-Shirts. And a giant cooler. It contained 6,700 steaks, 30,000 shrimp and 3,000 giant onions. "Enough to feed 6,700 troops," said Dave Ellis, Outback's director of research and development. They also unloaded 13,400 cans of O'Douls, nonalcoholic beer. Ellis wanted to bring Budweiser, but alcohol is forbidden on the base/post.

The idea of feeding the troops was born a few months ago, when Outback CEO Chris Sullivan was at a social event with U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks. Sullivan "thought it would be neat to serve the troops a steak dinner and a Bloomin' Onion," Ellis said. Franks thought so, too. Ellis worked with Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL to figure out how to transport the enormous dinner and get military clearance for 15 people and cook in a war zone in the middle of the desert. The employees came from Outbacks around the country; Ellis is based in the company's headquarters in Tampa.Most of the food was donated to Outback by the restaurant's vendors; the rest was paid for by Outback.

It took nearly three days to fly to Kandahar. The group stopped in Germany, then flew the eight hours to Afghanistan. Armed troops greeted the plane. "Nerve wracking," Ellis said. The Outback employees were in Kandahar for only three days. They were preparing food almost the entire time. That posed some challenges in the 115-degree heat. Ellis and the other employees wore water-filled backpacks called "camelbacks" so they could constantly rehydrate. In between their tent and the kitchen, they were told not to stray off the gravel path or risk being killed by a land mine. And they were informed of the closest bunker to the kitchen, in case they were bombed. Base officials also pointed out the area's infamous sights: where American Taliban member John Walker Lindh was held. Where a firefight happened a few weeks ago. Where Osama Bin Laden's troops had trained nearby. "You could sense the evil," Ellis said. Watching the troops in action and seeing their Spartan lifestyle made Ellis realize the sacrifices they had made for the United States. "It gave me a sense of pride," he said.

The sightseeing was limited. Almost immediately, the employees set to work preparing the meal. They used the military's industrial-sized appliances. They served the thousands of troops in 70 minutes, Ellis said. After eating the ribeye steak, broccoli, grilled shrimp, rolls and Bloomin' Onions, they ended the meal with cheesecake for dessert. "They were so appreciative," Ellis said. "Comfort is very hard to come by over there." Since he has been back in the United States, Ellis has received dozens of e-mails from soldiers and their families thanking them for the meal. "I just wanted to say thank you for supporting the soldiers over here," said Sgt. 1st Class Ryan D. Field. "You have no idea how much it means to get anything from the states, but to have someone ship both great food and great people to prepare the food is awesome." One woman, a master corporal in the Canadian Forces who is serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, said it was the best meal she had all year. "No rules, just right"

[Arrow]

Great Story Griz...a few years ago there was a huge brouhaha when a server misunderstood a MOH holder while he was dining at a Outback with friends. Police were called so on and so forth. Robert spearheaded the effort on the vet site to get everyone to e-mail and demand an apology to the MOH holder. He got it. And it looks like Outback has got it too. I would love to see more corporate CEO's jump in and serve the troops like this.

[phuloi]

I got this in e-mail so I don`t know how much validity it carries.Anyone else hear of this?

[phuloi]

PS:Story reminded me of Thanksgiving,1967.We were in the field but they said we would get a traditional turkey dinner.Someone was nice enough to hi-grade the 'Turkey Loaf' from a bunch of c-rat cases and a slick came by and kicked out our dinner on the run.Boy,I thought..they must really appreciate a job well done-HA

[DMZ-LT]

Griz, saw the same story on the net a few days ago, I have no idea if it's real - just hoping it is. Easter 71 they dropped Turkey in an artillery cannister and mashed potato's in another cannister to us Just lined up and reached in for a fist full of potato's - best I have ever had.

[Packo]

if it's true but some how I believe it and for the reason that Sis brought up. Our responses from Outback about what happened have always warmed my heart. I think they remembered and have done a wonderful thing. Great story Griz! I will continue to eat at Outback when I can.

THANKS AGAIN OUTBACK!

Packo

[Seascamp]

I?d support Outback if I could but that?s a long drive from this Hayseed, Cowboy and Indian town.
Scamp

[sfc_darrel]

There is a rumor going around about Outback taking cooks and food
(steaks, bloomin onions, etc.) to our troops in Kandahar.
Please let me know if this is true so I can let my military friends and
family know there is one more reason to eat at your restaurants.

Joyce Miller

Today I got a response...

Thank you for your interest in Mission Outback. You'll be interested in the attached, Stephanie Amberg

and the attachment...
G'day,

Thank you for contacting Outback Steakhouse regarding "Mission Outback". We are proud to confirm that fifteen Outback Steakhouse employees have just returned from feeding the troops in Kandahar, Afgainistan. We fed 6,400 United States and coalition troops. The troops were served a dinner of Bloomin' Onions, Victoria's
Filets, Rockhampton Rib-Eyes, grilled shrimp on the barbie, aussie chips, jacket potatoes, mixed veggies, and Cheesecake Olivia.

For our brave troops, an Outback meal was a taste of home and a reminder of
how much they are appreciated by us all. The troops were overwhelmingly pleased and excited to see Outback Steakhouse in the middle of the desert.

This effort would not have been possible without the support and
contributions of the following purveyors:

Performance Food Group Excel Meat Company
Standard Meats Kingston Produce
Best Foods Tulkoff Foods
Reckitt/Benkiser Dairy Farmers of America
Newlyweds Foods Lamb Weston
Andy Boy Produce Daisy Sour Cream
Con Agra Jeff's Gourmet Pies
Michaels Foods Milkco
Cargill Oils Bun Basket
Anheuser-Busch Pepin Distributing
Matt Dietz Coastal Sunbelt

We were very proud to have had our Outbackers involved in "Mission Outback" and we were honored to serve those heroes protecting our freedom so far away from home.


Sincerely,
Paul Avery
President

[Marissa]

I have always liked Outback and after reading this it gives me all the more reasons to like them. That was a wonderful thing they did for our service members.

[reconeil]

Glad to see your verification of some corporate patriotism, since the lack of flags displayed lately (around here anyway), as oppossed to right after: "9/11", has certainly made me a skeptic about such things.
One would think The War was over and forgotten.

Regardless, well deserved compliments should got to: OUTBACK and the list of supporting suppliers, for their patriotism and support for The Troops. Would that more corporations would get on The Bandwagon. After all, The USO just entertains, and couldn't make A Bloomin Onion, even if you put a gun to their heads.

Neil