Sailors, Marines, and military retirees attended the African American Heritage Meal served at the Bangor Galley on Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor Feb. 14.

The lunch was to celebrate African American Heritage Month by providing a special buffet of traditional Cajun soul food items.

In the dining area of the galley was the noise of clinking silverware and casual conversation as service members enjoyed their meal provided by the galley’s culinary specialists. The meal consisted of Southern fried catfish, Southern fried chicken, sweet potatoes, dirty rice, baked macaroni and cheese, black-eyed peas, and other specialty items.

“I really enjoyed the food at the galley today,” said Master at Arms Seaman Apprentice Travis Urick from Marine Corp Security Forces Battalion on Bangor. “I think it’s great the culinary specialists cook specialty foods for certain occasions.”

“We always put on a special meal to recognize certain heritages,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Joseph R. Marcello Jr., Bangor Galley leading chief petty officer. “I’m proud of my culinary specialists because they put 100 percent into everything they do, and it’s shown in the product they serve to our guests.”

The Bangor Galley serves more than 600 service members per meal a day and is rated one of the best galleys in the Northwest Region. Due to a recently passed NAVADMIN the Bangor Galley can no longer serve military retirees unless it is a special occasion.

“I really love being able to open the galley for military retirees for these special meals like the African American Heritage Meal,” said Marcello. “I enjoy being able to give back to the people who used to serve in the armed forces.”

Most sea and shore commands put on special occasion meals to acknowledge different holidays. It boosts morale and adds flavor and variety for our military service members.