More than 450 students at Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes, were invited by more than 170 local hosts to their homes and the McHenry VFW Post 4600 to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal as part of the annual Adopt A Sailor program Nov. 23.

The program has been an ongoing tradition at Great Lakes since World War I. The program allows families within a 50-mile radius to adopt a few Sailors.

"We are extremely appreciative that the community again came together to make sure our Sailors had a place to go on Thanksgiving," said Capt. Mark Meskimen, commanding officer at TSC. "It can be hard at times, especially during the holidays, for our Sailors to be away from family. We are thankful that families in the area have stepped up to offer a seat at their tables to welcome them as extended family members."

Host families plan an entire day's worth of activities for the students as well as a home-cooked holiday meal to which the students greatly anticipated.

"This was the first year I participated in the Thanksgiving Adopt A Sailor program," said Betsy Jenkins, from Evanston, Ill. "After this years' experience, I must say that as long as I can drive, I will be there to host Sailors every Thanksgiving into the future. The four Sailors that came for dinner were extremely well-mannered. They helped with dinner, played with the dogs, and held an excellent conversation with my family, one of which is an Army veteran who was delighted to share what he did nearly 50-years-ago. I could tell they felt right at home."

After spending the entire day with a host family, Engineman Fireman Stephanie Mejia was grateful for the opportunity to spend the holiday with a family.

"I really appreciate the Hill family from Antioch inviting us to join them on Thanksgiving," Hunt said. "They treated us like we were part of the family. That was really nice; it is hard being away from the family during the holidays. Getting invited to join in and celebrate with a family made Thanksgiving special."

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