Coast Guard Recruits To Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner In Ocean City
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
They may be far from home, but U.S. Coast Guard recruits stationed at Cape May’s Coast Guard Training Station will still enjoy a hot Thanksgiving dinner thanks to Ocean City’s Sons of the American Legion Squadron 524.
The Sons of the American Legion will host 40 recruits this Thursday for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, offering a family-like atmosphere despite them being away from home.
“Cape May County is a proud Coast Guard Community,” said Sons Commander Mike Byerly. “Many of us spend a good deal of time on the water, and it is always reassuring to know that if things go sideways, the Coast Guard has our backs.”
At 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, a charter bus will pick-up the recruits at the Cape May Coast Guard Training Station and transport them to the Ocean City Welcome Center, where they will be greeted by a police and fire company brigade. The recruits will then be formally escorted to the American Legion’s Morvay-Miley Cruice Post 524 at 46th and West Avenue for a daylong celebration.
Following coffee and breakfast snacks, a full array of activities will be offered, including games of pinball, pool, shuffleboard, darts and cornhole. Surround sound music and television sports will play all day.
Recruits will then enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal of turkey, tenderloin, pulled pork and all of the traditional sides and fixings.
The main dishes are being prepared by Dave Newman, owner and executive chef at Ocean City’s Blitz’s Market/Deli. Volunteers from Post 524’s Veterans, Auxiliary and Sons family will help to make the recruits feel right at home.
“I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to demonstrably express our gratitude to these young men and women who have chosen to serve our country and our community,” Byerly said. “Hopefully today’s festivities will ease the burden of being separated from their families, and serve as a reminder that their fellow Americans appreciate their sacrifices and service.”
The Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May is the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard Enlisted Corps, where all nationwide recruit training functions were consolidated in 1982. Annually, 4,600 new recruits begin their careers with an eight-week training program here.
The Squadron 524 Thanksgiving dinner was aided by the American Red Cross’s New Jersey Region and its Operation Fireside. This program puts recruits and Thanksgiving dinner sponsors in direct contact. Those who would like to learn more about the Red Cross Operation Fireside can reach out by email to opfiresidenj@redcross.org or by calling 609-562-3483.
To learn more about activities sponsored by Ocean City’s Morvay-Miley-Cruise American Legion Post 524, contact them by phone: (609) 304-3088 or by email: https://legion524ocnj.org/.