Soldiers, seniors come together on Thanksgiving
Longin Galockin was born 86 years ago in Moscow.
His family escaped the communists and lived all over the world before settling in Germany. In 1949, Galockin immigrated to the United States, bringing his beautiful German bride.
Ryan Gattobed was born 18 years ago in upstate New York.
After graduating high school he joined the Navy and is stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base.
The two men have virtually nothing in common, but that didn't stop them from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together Thursday at Galockin's home, Spring Meadows retirement center in Libertyville.
"Sure, I'll share my turkey with Ryan," Galockin said. "It's great seeing all of the young people here."
Gattobed was one of about 20 Great Lakes sailors to participate in the base's KNOTS program.
KNOTS, which stands for Kids Navy Outreach to Seniors, pairs volunteers from the naval base with senior citizens at different assisted living and nursing homes in Lake County twice a month.
The program was started by Petty Officer Chris Downing and his wife, Julie, in August 2006.
The idea was twofold. Because of the military, the Downings' children live far from their grandparents, and Julie Downing wanted them to be exposed to senior citizens.
At the same time, Chris Downing realized he and his fellow sailors could benefit from talking to seniors who had their own military history.
"We did a practice run at Glen Oaks Nursing Home last September, and it was amazing," Julie Downing said.
Downing said the KNOTS program is strictly volunteer and draws anywhere from a dozen to 75 sailors per outing.
The sailors visit seniors wearing their uniforms, which breaks the ice for many of them.
"As soon as they see the uniform it brings back memories, either from the men who have served or the women whose husbands served," Julie Downing said. "We thought this would benefit the seniors, but what we can't believe is how much hearing all of the old stories benefits us too."
On Thursday, Alex Welch, 18, and Kay Pait, 22, ate lunch with Spring Meadows residents Elaine Krauth and Evelyn Peterson.
Despite the more than 50- year age difference between the sailors and the seniors, the conversation never lagged.
Peterson talked about her love of classical music while Krauth asked Pait about her hometown in North Carolina.
"Ooh, this is so much fun," Peterson said after teasing Welch about his dancing skills.
With a strong southern accent, Pait agreed it was a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving.
"This like a little touch of home," she said. "It brings back memories I love."