Licking their chops      2-39 DFAC  wins regionals, looks forward to Army-level contest                  Susanne Kappler    Leader Staff

The dining facility of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment edged out seven competitors in the Philip A. Connelly Awards competition and was named best dining facility in the large unit category for the Southeast Region, U.S. Army Installation Management Command. “It took some hard work getting prepared, but we know our efforts definitely were not in vain,” said Beverly Sowell, Fort Jackson food service specialist supervisor. The evaluators, who visited the facility June 11, judged the facility on a number of criteria, but were especially impressed with the overall quality of the facility. “The presentation of the meal was good, the food had good taste, they liked the attitude of the staff and the evaluators were very pleased with the display of the centerpiece, which was an ice carving of the DA symbol,” Sowell said. The judges also talked to some Soldiers, who assured them that they enjoyed the food at the facility, not just on the day of the evaluation, but year round.  Barbara Johnson, manager of the 2-39 DFAC, credits her team with bringing the victory to Fort Jackson. “They’re the best. If you want a team that’s motivated, look no farther than the 2-39,” she said. “When we found out we won, it was exciting. You should have heard us scream all over post.” The facility now moves on to the Army-wide competition. The evaluations will be held between October and December — no date has been set for when the evaluators will come to Fort Jackson. “We will start preparing for the next evaluation this month,” Sowell said. Johnson is confident that the facility will be successful at the next level as well. “We’re very enthusiastic about going forward,” she said. “We’re ready to run it and bring that award home.