Great Lakes sailors have Thanksgiving options

While many Great Lakes Naval Station sailors participate in a Thanksgiving Day program allowing them to depart the base for a meal with local families, not all want their turkey and fixings elsewhere.

At least 5,000 Navy personnel are expected to spend Thanksgiving on the base where, Great Lakes spokesman John Sheppard said, there generally is a festive atmosphere despite the fact most sailors are away from friends and family.

Just like in the civilian world, Sheppard said, some sailors can be found playing football on one of Great Lakes' fields before heading indoors for a Thanksgiving meal.

“They like being with their friends on base,” Sheppard said.

Hungry naval personnel can start their day from noon to 3 p.m. at the free spread staged by USO of Illinois at Pier 525/Club Nitro on Great Lakes. At least 2,000 guests are expected.

USO's community and entertainment director, Alison Rubel, said a catered buffet-style feast will include turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, soft drinks, holiday pies and cakes. Roughly 50 volunteers will dish out the grub to sailors.

“With our volunteers that are serving the meals, they are going to get a real personal touch, a sense of home,” Rubel said.

Ross Docksey, the chairman and chief executive officer for USO of Illinois, praised the volunteers for skipping their own Thanksgiving celebrations to assist the sailors “in an atmosphere that lets them know they are cared for and appreciated.”

Televisions with the day's football games, contests and prizes will be part of the mix at Pier 525/Club Nitro. Great Lakes' Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department will assist the USO.

Sheppard said the food for the sailors won't end when the USO packs up at 3 p.m. It might lack atmosphere, but the base galley will deliver a spread into the evening for an estimated 5,000 sailors.

In-the-know sailors hit the USO buffet when it starts at noon so they have enough room for the galley offerings later in the day, Sheppard said.

Goodwill Great Lakes handles the base's food service. Goodwill spokeswoman Kimberly Herrera said along with traditional side dishes, the galley plans to serve nearly 2,900 pounds of prime rib of beef, 2,300 pounds of roasted turkey and 1,600 pounds of baked glazed ham.

About 600 Great Lakes participants are expected in the Adopt-a-Sailor program for Thanksgiving that dates back to World War I. Sheppard said 196 families within a 50-mile radius of the base have been vetted and will host the sailors.

Families are warned that underage drinking is strictly prohibited and it is their responsibility to confirm if a sailor is of legal age to consume alcohol. Sailors may be picked up no later than 8:30 a.m. and must be back to the base gate by 7:30 p.m.

Great Lakes, which sits between Lake Bluff and North Chicago, has the Navy's only boot camp. About 40,000 recruits are expected to graduate by year's end.