Over 1,800 recruits at Recruit Training Command (RTC) were especially thankful on Thanksgiving as they were able to spend the holiday off base during the annual Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Sailor program Nov. 26.

The program offers families of Navy recruits the opportunity to spend the day off base with their recruits. Four-hundred-eighty-two recruits families took advantage of the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving together this year.

The 1,326 recruits whose families were unable to visit for the day were adopted by local civic organizations. In all, 24 organizations adopted recruits from the command.

The majority of the organizations and volunteers have continually supported the program over the years by providing a day of food, movies, video games, music and most popular of all, phone calls home.

The program tends to bring an organization's community together as hundreds of volunteers spend months planning the event and raising the necessary funds to feed the recruits.

"The recruits at Great Lakes are very lucky to be stationed in an area that shows such tremendous support to the military," said Cmdr. Nancy Fink, military training director for RTC. "The surrounding communities and local organizations come forward every year to give our recruits a chance to have a home-cooked meal and spend time in a comfortable environment. There's never a recruit left without a place to go. While thoughts and prayers are always appreciated, there's nothing like this tangible demonstration of support especially when recruits are separated from family over the holidays."

Prior to their departure, Capt. Doug Pfeifle, RTC commanding officer, reminded the recruits to be mindful of their military bearing throughout the day.

"You are ambassadors for the United States Navy. I want you to go out and have a good time and represent the Navy well while being polite and respectful," said Pfeifle. "I hope you have a great day and that you come back here ready to finish out your last few weeks of boot camp before heading to your "A" schools and the fleet."

Families who were able to make the trip waited with excited anticipation in the visitor's center to see their recruits for the first time since they arrived to RTC six- and seven-weeks ago.

Anxiously awaiting for her recruit to emerge through the doors, Roberta Erxleben, of Royal Oak, Michigan, received a preview of her son when she saw him leading his division in cadence as they marched passed the visitor's center.

"I am so happy to see him and I am so proud of him," said Erxleben. "He turned 30 in April and came home one evening and said, 'Mom, I'm going to join the military.' He wants to be a special ops [operations] corpsman; he's very dedicated and just wants to save the world. We've made dinner reservations for today and his girlfriend is here as an added surprise."

For the recruits, time spent with their loved ones as well as time away from the rigors of training were greatly appreciated.

"I'm so grateful for this amazing day and I'm glad they give us this opportunity," said Seaman Recruit Benfry Dejesus. "I'm taking my family out to eat and enjoy some quality time with them."

Seaman Recruit Tyana Williams just turned 18 the day before Thanksgiving and was overcome with tears and emotion when she spotted her mother, Danyel Bard of Millville, New Jersey.

"This is amazing, being able to spend time with her," said Williams. "Training here can be very stressful so a day off is very much appreciated right now."

Many organizations have continued this tradition with the help of hundreds of volunteers and fundraising efforts throughout the year to make the program a success. They included: American Legion Post 187; American Legion Post 208; AMVETS Post 66; Brookfield VFW Post 2868; Chicago Ridge Police Department; Christian Fellowship Great Lakes; Grace Lutheran Church; Gurnee Community Church; Hammond Mohawks Athletic and Conservation Club; Isreal Community Church; Kenosha Bible Church; Knights of Columbus/St. Margaret Mary Church; McHenry Moose Lodge 691; Morton Grove American Legion Post 134; New Life Lutheran Church; Palatine American Legion Post 690; Redeemer Lutheran Church; St. Michael's Episcopal Church; St. John United Church of Christ; Nunda Masonic Lodge; Susan H. Dufern Memorial Servicemens' Fund; Villa Park VFW Post 2801; Unitarian Church of Evanston; and Wauconda Moose Lodge 1969.

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.