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Salvation Army provides sweet treats for Air Commandos

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Salvation Army provided dozens of free doughnuts to the men and women at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 7.

The event coincided with National Doughnut Day, which is recognized the first Friday of June each year. This day pays homage to the event created by the Salvation Army in 1938, which honors the men and women from the organization who served doughnuts to soldiers overseas during World War I.

National Doughnut Day began in 1938 as a fundraiser for Chicago's Salvation Army. Their goal was to help the needy during the Great Depression and honor the Salvation Army "donut lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers.

After the U.S. entered garrison during World War I in 1917, the Salvation Army sent a fact-finding mission to France. The mission indicated that the needs of U.S. enlisted men could be met by "canteens" - social centers that could serve baked goods, provide writing supplies and stamps, and provide a clothes-mending service.

More than 200 Salvation Army volunteers were sent to France to establish these canteens. Initially, there was a high demand from soldiers requesting pancakes to be made, but because pancakes are better served hot and syrup was a commodity, two Salvation Army volunteers came up with the idea of providing doughnuts instead.

"I think the event was a great morale booster; it showed that Cannon has support from all over," said Senior Airman Jessica Alexander, 27th Special Operations Wing protocol. "I really enjoyed having doughnuts and coffee to start my day; it was a nice change of pace. Initially I didn't know the history behind National Doughnut Day, but before receiving my doughnut I learned about it and it was great to learn something new."

Serving doughnuts in the trenches on the battlefields was just a small way to bring cheer to deployed soldiers during the war, and even though it wasn't war that brought the Salvation Army to Cannon, the gesture still put smiles on many faces across the wing.

"I think what the Salvation Army is doing here is extremely thoughtful," said Senior Airman Stephanie Nevins, 27 SOW executive service administrator. "It definitely improves the morale around the base. I had no idea how extensive the history was behind National Doughnut Day until it was explained to me by one of the volunteers. I really hope they do this again next year!"

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