CRESTVIEW — U.S. Army Rangers live to serve their country, and locally, that may extend to monthly soup kitchen duties.
"They are just so organized and willing to help with whatever," Crestview First United Methodist Church member Sheila Brown said. "I would love for them to be here every (Saturday)."
Thirty-eight volunteers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion, stationed at Camp James E. Rudder on Eglin Air Force Base, served 72 needy residents on Saturday at the church's weekly soup kitchen.
Sgt. 1st Class Nate Smith, a regular volunteer, said battalion members offered to step in after a group scheduled to be there had to bow out at the last minute.
"They asked if we could fill in, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to get some of these soldiers out here in the community," Smith said.
Several soldiers brought pulled pork, Spanish rice, french fries and desserts. In addition to cooking and serving the food, the battalion facilitated a cornhole game and Spc. Dennis White played the piano. The group also cleaned the kitchen afterward.
Smith said he would be interested in having the rangers volunteer at the soup kitchen at least one Saturday a month.
"A lot of these guys are looking for the opportunity to volunteer … This is a good way to give back to the community," he said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: U.S. Army Rangers considering monthly service at Crestview soup kitchen