Great Lakes recruits feel at home in Villa Park
Daniel Weis had the look of love.
His eyes were slightly glazed, he wore a lopsided grin, and his concentration, well, it just wasn't normal.
"A minute 14 seconds - that's bad," the recruit from Great Lakes Naval Station said, resetting the Rubik's cube in a pattern of sheer chaos.
He had no intention of abandoning his beloved.
"This is the first time I've done it in two months," the Waitsburg, Wash., native said, gearing up for another, faster round. " Also, I just drank a Red Bull."
It's understandable, then, that his usually exemplary fine motor skills were slightly askew. Within six attempts, though, he'd perfected the color-coded solution in 47 seconds. Then Rubik fell victim to love's fickle folly. Weiss was on to Guitar Hero.
For young men and women who've spent months in the rigors of a spartan boot camp lifestyle, Thanksgiving was full of wonders.
As it does every year, the VFW post in Villa Park adopted 40 recruits for the day. They were given free access to phones, computers, a PlayStation and Wii, visits to the local Jewel and - this is key - and opportunity to relax.
"(Boot camp) is all work. If you have free time, you study," said 18-year-old Matt Kreber of Rapid City, S.D.
That's why the veterans are so eager to offer the recruits a homelike experience on the holiday: They remember what it's like when first entering the service.
"Whatever they want. It's their day," Post Commander Ed Krupiczowicz, a former Army drill sergeant, said.
David Keefner was lucky enough to be among the first to make a call. His parents would get their call later, Keefner's primary objective was reaching his girlfriend.
"She was like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe I'm talking to you,' " said the 21-year-old Keefner, also of Rapid City. He'd been allowed only one previous call out of the base since he arrived Oct. 7. And until Thursday, the lovebirds' communication was restricted to what he deemed a near-archaic system: regular mail.
For her part, Mahogany Sanders was jubilant about getting to check her personal Web space and to call her brother. But those were just icing on the cake for the Monroe, La., native.
"I'm so happy," she said, "to be away from boot camp."