A fitting memorial and a way to say thank you

Even as he grieves, David Dufern of Cary has a special reason to treasure this Thanksgiving. Just a few weeks after the death of his wife, Sue, he will one of her dreams come to fruition.

You can help keep the dream going and at the same time send a mighty big thank you to serving our country.

For several years, David and Sue had their own little tradition of buying breakfast for Naval recruits the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Last year, they took it up a notch and, combining with Joann Miara of the Cary Country Club, arranged for 150 recruits from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings.

Despite her illness, Sue was right there. "She truly exemplified what this is about," David said as he readies for this year's encore, an event that brings comfort knowing his wife's vital role. "Last Thanksgiving she was in the midst of chemo and treatment, and she insisted on being the hostess and greeting everyone. She said this was their day and that is what this is about: Saying thank you to those who truly put others needs ahead of their own.

"I'm astounded at the generosity of people and how strongly people feel about this. There's no political angle. Regardless of what you care about the Middle East or world events, this is simply a way of saying thank you to the people who put their lives on the line for us."

'They're kids'

It's a special day, Joann agreed. "It's very emotional," she said. "They're kids, and they were all talking to their families. After dinner, they went from being Navy recruits back to being kids. You just hope that if you had a kid out there, someone would do the same for them."

Three buses will pick up recruits from Great Lakes and transport them -- many of whom are away from home on Thanksgiving for the first time -- to the Cary Country Club for a feast, football and fun from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thanks to phones donated by Verizon, the recruits will be able to call their loved ones. Word is a guy named Santa might even stop by. "He has an elf who taps my shoulder occasionally," David said.

They have plenty of volunteers for this year's event, but if you'd like to help guarantee it continues, consider donating. Send checks to the Sue H. Dufern Memorial Serviceman's Thanksgiving Fund, P.O. Box 153, Fox River Grove 60021. David hopes to build it into a self-sustaining fund.

What a great way to honor both those who serve and a woman who sounds very special, indeed.

No fryin', fool!

You can flip those birds, grill them or even burn 'em. But don't fry those turkeys this Thanksgiving.

At least don't do it unless you want to risk burning down your garage or house or harming someone, warns Cary Fire Lt. Michael Douglas, who reached out this week to ask for helping getting the word out. Deep-frying a turkey is serious business, and there are plenty of dangers along the way.

I know. I know. Those fried birds are tasty. But don't do it. Just don't, OK?

From the homefront

As we ready to talk some serious turkey on the homefront, some of you have suggested sending cards and packages to support our wounded soldiers as well as those on active duty.

Unfortunately, because of safety concerns, you can't reach them by sending to Any Soldier or even A Recovering American Soldier, care of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, or other addresses. The military suggests you, instead, visit www.americasupportsyou.mil or www.usocares.org for options.

If anyone knows of someone needing or wanting mail, relay the address, and I'll share with the groups who have contacted me, OK?

Warning

Check your freezer to make sure you don't have pot pies that have been recalled due to salmonellosis. The McHenry County Health Department says the recalled brands include Banquet, Albertson's, Food Lion, Kroger, Meijer and others. To check, call the toll-free hotline (866) 484-8671.

Red light district

Lake in the Hills has begun construction on its first automated red light camera system at Randall Road and Acorn Lane. You can find more details at www.lith.org. I know at least one other intersection that could use those cameras. Yup -- that would be at Randall Road and Route 72.