Great Lakes sailors, veterans get holiday treat

Christmas dinner and all the fixin’s were on the menu Saturday for some 400 current and former members of the military.

The Lake County Tavern Owners Association and the Antioch VFW served up full holiday meal for 350 sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago and another 50 veterans from the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.

Jan Oerly, who is associated with both the tavern owners association and the VFW, said it’s the eighth year for the holiday meal for servicemen and women.

Oerly said the menu features turkey and ham and all the traditional sides, along with Christmas carols, appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, and goody bags for each of the guests. Local businesses help out with donations and residents help serve the meal.

“We try to make it light and fun for these young kids,” she said.

Many of the military personnel are away from home for the first time, and the party and Santa help bring out the kid in them, said Oerly, who dresses up as Mrs. Claus.

“I’ve never had my picture taken so much in all my life,” she said.