The Cowboys' charter returned from Philadelphia at about 4:30 a.m. on Monday. Just seven hours later, a dozen Cowboys players served early Thanksgiving lunches at the Salvation Army's Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas, while Cowboys rookies did likewise at Fort Worth's Salvation Army Mabee Social Service Center.

"Thank you for winning last night," one of the roughly 400 diners in Dallas shouted out as Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Travis Frederick and Byron Jones, among other players, entered the cafeteria area, donning aprons.

"Anytime you beat Philadelphia, we love it," another patron said as safety Jameill Showers served him a heaping plate of turkey, dressing, potatoes and trimmings.

Yes, the Cowboys' 27-20 victory over the Eagles brightened everyone's disposition, not that Cowboys players have ever allowed a loss to spoil this longstanding tradition of serving the less fortunate. This year's event had the added bonus falling on Veteran's Day, with many of the diners proudly wearing hats and shirts commemorating their branch of service.

"We're so grateful to our veteran players who are here to be with us here today after a big Cowboys win," Brill Garrett, wife of Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, told the gathering, moments before everyone bowed their heads in a prayer of thanks. "They arrived early this morning, but there was no way that they were going to miss being here to serve you all with this early Thanksgiving meal -- because as you know, we are very busy on Thanksgiving Day."

Matter of fact, the 4-5 Cowboys barely had time to soak in Monday's season-saving win before facing the prospect of playing twice in five days -- this Sunday at Atlanta and next Thursday at home against Washington.

"We all slept," fourth-year defensive back Byron Jones said of the plane ride home. "There was no party, no high-fives -- well, a little bit of high-fives -- but mostly guys slept. We were tired."

Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott serves a plate as members of the Dallas Cowboys were on hand to serve an early Thanksgiving lunch to clients at The Salvation Army Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas on Monday, November 12, 2018. (Stewart F. House/Special Contributor) (Stewart F. House / Special Contributor)

Jones, though, showed no fatigue while serving meals, posing for photos and signing autographs.

"To see the smiles on their faces, I didn't make the food, but I'm handing it out and they think I'm God," he said.

"I try to do it every year that they ask," Cowboys center Joe Looney said. "It's great to give back. At the end of the day, this is what it's about. I think this is what the NFL is for, bringing everybody together, putting smiles on people's faces and being able to give back."

The food was provided by Tom Thumb and Albertsons. UnitedHealthcare volunteers helped serve food and gave gift items to diners to help them stay warm during the winter months.

Essilor and the Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) had mobile units at both the Dallas and Fort Worth events to provide free vision screenings, exams and eyeglasses.

Ex-Marine and Purple Heart recipient Leo Beal, 76, came to Dallas from Houston three months ago and has been living in Dallas' Veterans Administration until his V.A.-provided apartment in Carrollton is ready.

"I've always been a Cowboys fan," said Beal, who wore a blue Cowboys sweatshirt on Monday. "Last night, that was the best game I can remember for a while. That was the Cowboys team I know, that I grew up on."

Although Cowboys four-time Pro Bowlcenter Frederick, 27, has missed the entire season due to an auto-immune disorder, Gullain-Barre' syndrome, he travels with the team to away games and on Sunday night wore a headset, serving as a conduit between coaching staff and players.

And there Frederick was on Monday, serving meals in his No. 72 jersey, alongside teammates, as well as former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware.

"I think it's important for me to do whatever I can to help the team, and whatever I can to help the community," Frederick said. "Nothing's changed in my mind as far as my role on the team and my role in the community, just because I'm not playing.

"It's so important for me to be able to assist and provide experience and provide coaching on the field. And there's no reason for there to be a lapse in my community work, just because I'm not playing."