It came to pass that in 1974, it was almost impossible for the USS HECTOR cooks to produce a single meal that the crew would actually eat. It became such a huge problem, the captain actually had to request something be done about the problem, as so much "good" food was going in the dumpster.
Yes, it was THAT bad!
A first class Boiler Repairman who worked in the BR shop on the 01 deck, a black fellow named Robinson, went to see the captain in his cabin about a solution. He asked the captain if it would be OK if HE could be allowed to cook just ONE meal for the ship's crew.
The captain gave his OK and the date was set a few weeks in the future. Word was passed via rumor mill and it was to be called "Soul Night". The actual date and the name "Soul Night" appeared on the ships plan of the day. It was NOT printed as to what was going to be served. Just the words "SOUL NIGHT" was all that showed up on the menu plan of that day.
Now, bear in mind, most of the ship's crew were hitting the beach for dinner due to the apparent lack of the cooks abilities. When Soul Night arrived, a great many did not go into town that night.
IT WAS FANTASTIC! Fried chicken, pork chops, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, corn bread...MY GOD it was MANNA from Heaven!
The event was so good, a large contingent of the crew protested that this happen again!
A few weeks later, another "Soul Night" appeared on the Plan of the Day! There was such a row of happiness and good tidings about the first one, barely ANYONE hit the beach that night. It was CROWDED in the mess decks that night. People were being turned away for second helpings as there was such a demand just for firsties.
AND, a couple weeks later ANOTHER Soul Night appeared scheduled, and it got to be so good, it became a once a month then twice a month thing! It was so good, people from OTHER SHIPS were coming onto Hector for dinner whenever a Soul Night was scheduled.
It ended when BR1 Robinson transferred off Hector.
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