'This is a proud day': 50 Navy recruits get served Thanksgiving meals in Palatine

Fifty recruits from the Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County got a warm welcome and were served Thanksgiving meals Thursday by volunteers at the American Legion Post 690 in Palatine.

It was one-to-one between recruits and volunteers at this year's Adopt-A-Sailor program, which provided Thanksgiving dinners and other amenities for Navy recruits at the post.

"It just gives heartfelt warmth of being able to host these kids that are not with family, not with friends over the holidays," said Sue Hallsten of Palatine, Unit 690 Auxiliary treasurer and chairwoman of Adopt-A Sailor event. "They graduate next week so this is the first time they've been off base in five weeks."

Recruits played pool and fun activities such as video games at Arlington Lanes in Arlington Heights before the midday meal at the post.

The longtime Adopt-A-Sailor program offers respite for recruits whose training program over several months is highly structured with limited access to things people are accustomed to such as television, cellphones and social media, according to the post's website.

For many recruits, this is the first time being away from home for Thanksgiving. They were picked up in a yellow school bus in Lake County.

Plans for this day began in early September, Hallsten said.

The meal was not catered "so everything here has been donated by the community," Hallsten said.

They were served 50 pounds of mashed potatoes, five turkeys, three hams, three gallons of gravy made with pan drippings, 20 pounds of stuffing, green beans casserole and 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. The buffet included delivered eggs and other homemade treats.

Dessert included cookies dropped off by Bernie Kott of Palatine. Spouse Kathy Kott made the gift box-worthy cookies, including chocolate chip with M & M candies, a peanut butter-flavored, and sugar cookies in a pumpkin form.

Post Cmdr. Mark Cramer of Hoffman Estates became visibly emotional upon welcoming recruits as they were seated before the midday meal.

"I'm a retired Navy person and these people mean everything to the country," Cramer said. "This is a proud day."

Later, recruits were treated to a barbecue dinner including pulled pork, ribs, and macaroni and cheese before heading back to base.

Recruit Brentton Davis of Florence, South Carolina, thanked the post and volunteers for having the recruits over.

"It is a blessing," Davis said.