Tuesday SOL 12/1/15 - An Awesome Thanksgiving

We have had many Thanksgiving Days to remember and cherish, but this one was especially meaningful and rewarding.  Our son and daughter-in-law have been telling us about their Thanksgiving Day experience each year, but this year we were able to experience it with them, Michelle & her family and her in-laws.

Ten years ago our daughter-in-law's uncle established a foundation in memory of his wife's life.  This fund was set up to honor our military men and women who give so much of themselves.  Jen's aunt and uncle started giving to service men and women years before when they bought dinner for those who were eating out without family.  After her aunt passed, her uncle continued in this tradition, but expanded it.  He found a local restaurant who would help, he found people willing to donate money, gifts and their time.  He contacted Great Lakes Naval Station.  And so for 10 years this tradition continues.  He has moved out of the area and so Scott and Jen took over getting everything ready.

On Thanksgiving Day, 2015, it started early.  They left for the base (hubby included), and gathered as many sailors as they could.  There was room for 106 on the buses.  They were able to bring 90 of these young (and I do mean YOUNG) people who have spent the past six weeks going through boot camp.  They will be graduating this weekend.

The restaurant (Lindy's in Wauconda, IL) was decorated and all prepared to pamper these sailors.  There were newspapers, candy bars, playing cards, the phone station was set up and everyone waited for their arrival. The buses stopped a block away, the sailors marched to the restaurant.  They weren't quite sure how to react, but the smiles soon appeared when they were told they could have all the candy, soda, coffee and anything else they wanted.  A local photographer took a picture of each one which would be made into an ornament and sent home to their family.  Each sailor got 1/2 hour of phone time.

Our job was to welcome them and make them feel at home.  We talked, we shared, we cried, we hugged.  Most of these kids had never been away from their family for any length of time with only minimal contact.  No phones, no newspapers, no technology, no candy, no Facebook or e-mails.

After our Thanksgiving feast, Santa arrived, names drawn, gifts given - cameras, MP3 players and four airline tickets and everyone received a gift card.

These men and women thanked us for doing all of this for them, but our thanks goes out to each of them and their families for the sacrifices they are making.  It was definitely a Thanksgiving Day that we will always remember and we look forward to making this an annual event.  You can check it out on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Sue-H-Dufern-Memorial-Servicemens-Fund