Wheeling AMVETS make recruits feel right at home

Since Oct. 25, Drew Tiernan has not had a chance to do much.

Boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago tends to limit your spare time. On Thursday, however, he was able to at least partially make up for lost time.

AMVETS Post 66 in Wheeling opened its doors to give 80 sailors from the base a Thanksgiving feast. As part of the festivities, officials also set up laptops, a bags set, table tennis, video games and a pool table for a few hours of rest and relaxation.

As he waited in line for one of 18 cell phones also set up for the recruits to call their homes, including Tiernan's in Hickory, N.C., he said the outpouring of support was inspiring.

“It's just great to be appreciated and see that people here truly care,” Tiernan said. “It makes you feel good and let's you know that you're doing something right.”

Post 66 has done the yearly feast for decades, Commander Tony Altieri said. In the past, the Post had received up to 150 sailors. After a few years of declining numbers, Altieri said the numbers seem to be on the rebound.

“These kids have been in training for a while and a lot of the common things we take for granted are taken away from them,” said Altieri, an Army veteran himself. “It's the first time in many weeks that they can do whatever they feel like doing. They can just kick back and relax.”

As sailors took their turns on the pool tables and shared playful trash talk during a bags game, Brandon Cheatle of Oklahoma said the day was a good respite from the daily grind of boot camp, which ends Dec. 17.

“It's pretty nice to be able to have some of the luxuries back,” he said. “... Just to be able to relax and sit around and pal around.”

For years, Altieri said the sailors make sure to let him know how much they appreciate the help they are given.

“That's what makes it truly rewarding,” he said. “They truly appreciate it.”