Recession? What recession? Groups clamor to host sailors at Thanksgiving

The struggling economy hasn't diluted the generosity of suburban families offering to bring sailors into their homes on Thanksgiving.

The Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago received 286 volunteers for its Thanksgiving Adopt-A-Sailor program, doubling last year's count.

The annual ritual finds families hosting two sailors each, usually recruits from out of state. But this year there are more families volunteering to host than pairs of sailors signed up to attend. Program leaders are actually recruiting more sailors to fill the spots.

"It's a happy problem to have," said John Sheppard, public affairs officer for the naval station.

Hosts from within 50 miles of the station spend the entire day with the sailors. Sheppard said the program has been ongoing since World War I.

"A sailor joins the Navy to go out to sea, go to different countries, meet new people, and it's part of their growth as a sailor," Sheppard said. "(Through the Thanksgiving program) they get to go out to the local community and get to meet people."

Roycealee Wood and her husband, Kenneth, are both national directors with the Navy League of the U.S. and have been hosting sailors for at least 10 years. They plan to take their two sailors this year to the Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan, then shopping and back to their home in Lake Bluff.

Roycealee, the regional superintendent of schools for Lake County, said meeting the young sailors is rewarding; the increase in host families is a good sign people still appreciate the work of those who serve our country.

"They're away from their own families, and it gives us a good feeling to know we can assist them to have a better holiday," she said.

Sailors not signed up to spend the day with an area family will have a turkey dinner at the Pier 525 enlisted club hosted by the USO and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department.

For the 1,000 recruits who have been enduring boot camp for the past two months, area VFWs, American Legions and churches provide a day filled with food and entertainment.

Eighteen groups - par for the course - have registered this year to host the recruits, who have just a week left until graduation.

Sarah King, public affairs officer for recruit training command, said the young sailors are excited about the Thanksgiving program.

"It's an opportunity to enjoy a great meal and a lot of them get phone calls home and it's a nice day for them to relax and enjoy the holiday," she said.

Villa Park VFW Post 2801 has been entertaining the recruits for more than 20 years. Local sponsors pitch in, too, including the Villa Park Rotary Club, Hertz, Sunrise Chevrolet, Mr. Z's of Lombard, Kuppies Bakery and Mike's Meat Market of Villa Park.

In addition to a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, volunteers bring video games to entertain the sailors and their own personal cell phones and laptop computers to give them a chance to communicate with their families.

"I've seen kids that have never been away from home for Thanksgiving with tears in their eyes," said Arlyne Gerhard, a longtime volunteer with the VFW. "It's very rewarding to us, but when you realize how much they're giving, what you're giving is minuscule,"