GROTON, Conn - During Thanksgiving thousands of service members across the country spend this family oriented time alone, and here in Groton the scenario is no different. But every year numerous families across Southeastern Connecticut open their homes to Sailors and make them part of their family for the day. Families are signing up to adopt Sailors for Thanksgiving, to give them a home cooked meal when they are away from their own families for the holidays. As the holiday approaches, the families and the Sailors themselves look forward to a great day full of football, food and meeting new people.
Sailors who sign up for the program will get to spend the day with a great Connecticut family who is looking forward to giving them a great Thanksgiving.
One such family is Mr. and Mrs. Dik Glass, of Mystic, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, have been including Sailors from the Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) in a family dinner for the past 11 years.
"We always look forward to creating a home away from home for the Sailors on this special, very American day," concluded Mrs. Glass
Each year they invite three to four young Sailors, who are unable to go home, to be guests at their home, along with their extended family for an old fashioned, New England turkey dinner.
"After dinner the Sailors are invited to change clothes and play football with us under the lights of our football field next to the Mystic River," said Mrs. Glass.
Mr. and Mrs. Glass are themselves a Navy family with a son who graduated from the Naval Academy in 2002 and is a NFO for an E2-C Hawkeye squadron out of Naval Air Station, Norfolk.
But they are not the only ones getting involved in the Adopt-a-Sailor program. The SUBASE Fire Department will be adopting Sailors for Thanksgiving.
"It's important to let the Sailors know we care, and provide them with a home cooked meal," said SUBASE fire Chief Tom Clapsadle.
The Fire Department will prepare Sailors a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, hang out with the Sailors, watch football and give them a tour of the station.
"This is our second year adopting Sailors for Thanksgiving. I know the fire fighters are really looking forward to it," Clapsadle continued. "If I was alone for the holidays there is no place I'd rather be than the station."
The Adopt-a-Sailor program is a yearly program between the Navy and Groton Parks and Recreation that provides a home away from home for Sailors on Thanksgiving.
The deadline for Sailors to sign up for the Adopt-a-Sailor program is Nov. 17. Sign up sheets are located at the Liberty Center. If you are interested in becoming a host family, contact Groton Parks and Recreation at (860) 536-5680.