Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What happens to recruits during Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Since 1981, the Cape May County Chapter of the American Red Cross has sponsored Operation Fireside with Training Center Cape May. This community relations event is a way for local community members and military families to host recruits in their home on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.

Recruits in training weeks 3 through 8 are eligible to participate in Operation Fireside. If possible, the training center staff tries to graduate the week 8 company early so they can spend the holidays with their families.

This year, Oscar 180 will graduate on Nov. 25, 2008 and Tango 180 will graduate on Dec. 23, 2008.

Participation is voluntary. The Battalion Commander will create a schedule of activities for those recruits not participating in Operation Fireside.

23 comments:

Heather said...

Thank you for this post. I will miss my brother at Thanksgiving, but at least he will have somewhere to go and have a good homecooked meal.

b&t said...

I will miss my husband during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's nice to know they will have good food to eat.

~Nanny~ said...

I am so thankful that Oscar 180 will be graduating early to be their families on Thanksgiving. My thanks to everyone at Cape May for making this possible! For those families that will not have their "recruits" with them, my prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...
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Blah Blah Blah Blogger said...

Go, Romeo 180! Just heard from SR Dorman (Dayna Leigh to her mother) and she's doing great. What a super group of USCG officers! She has nothing but good to say and this is the young lady who stayed up all night in Tampa, FL waiting for the a.m. physical before swearing in, texting me, "I'm not sure I want to do this."

Well, she's just fine. Passed the PF and tests - nervous about some shot or booster she's getting tomorrow. I heard yelling in the background - nothing abusive - but her phone call was limited and she had to say, "Yes, Mam" to me!! Loved that!

What a relief to finally talk to her - even though briefly. She's going to Sabine, TX for her first assignment. Good thing she already knows how to shrimp!

Proud of you, Dayna! Enjoy your Thanksgiving with the family that welcomes you into their home - you'll always meet special people during your lifetime - take it all in. We will miss you, but will talk about you a lot, eat Mawmaw's dressing, get way too full and will look forward to seeing you on December 12!!!!

(She did say that she got to read the blog - keep writing families!)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Word of advice for family members....

Make life easier on your recruits, don't reference your recruit's name in your post!!!! CC's are awesome people but love to see posts like the 'blah blah blah blogger'. Heavin help SR Dorman!

jmorris1027 said...
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jmorris1027 said...

cant wait to see my dane dane in a couple weeks. yay. but texas...that sooo far! looks like ill be racking up some frequent flyer miles. ill be there for your graduation. im not missing this one.

Suzanne7IB said...

Sierra 180 Keep on Truckin!

Suzanne7IB said...

My SR is a son of a Navy Seal Father and USMC Mother. What a combination to grow up with. He chose USCG and we couldn't be prouder. His letters keep my spirits up as I reflect back 25 years to my experiences in Basic Training at Paris Island South Carolina. It is no small thing getting 90+ strangers together and attempting to get them all on the same page when it comes to instruction and obedience. Each day you are all making progress. You've been gone 24 days and it seems like forever. Keep your heads up and know you will achieve success.
Semper Fidelis

Anonymous said...

I just want to leave a little note saying how very proud I am of Sierra 180, especially my husband SR Rivero. Way to go on the record of the fastest company on tying knots!!! Keep up all the good hard work, trust me it will be all worth it at the end.. We miss you lots and love you lots, cannot wait until we hear from you... Always in my thoughts!!!

Suzanne7IB said...

Sierra 180 Shouts out to Home!!!! Got my first phone call tonight from someone that claimed to be my son.. but some Grown Man was really at the other end.. and it was really... yep it was my son. He sounds all grown up. Congratulations CC's on your work with Sierra 180. They are sounding strong and confident!
Semper Fidelis

Sunshinegal0726 said...

Silly question maybe...
But does anyone happen to know if the U180 company is the one that arrived on Nov. 18? I would like to write, but I want to make sure that's the correct address...thanks!

Anonymous said...

Yes U-180 arrived the 18th

ria said...

Go Tango 180!!! Counting the days to graduation!! Do what?!! Happy Thanksgiving Guys!!!

KimiVern said...

WOW so glad to hear that the Holidays are being made special for the trainees! I suppose those who are in week 2 during Thanksgiving will be at the training center - business as usual?? That's just fine, already celebrated before shipping - it's just another day, right? Glad to know that CHRISTmas will be made special!

Kayakjz Thanks for the advice, will certainly keep it in mind and mention NO names, actually I wont even give a gender!

As a proud Coastie Parent, I want to wish all who will be missing their Coastie's during the Holiday Season - much peace and happiness. We have so much to be proud of and thankful for - how lucky we are to have family members who were accepted as Guardians!!

GO COAST GUARD!!!

fluffy miya russ said...

Hope to hear from my # 1 daughter soon Glad to know she will get a home cooked meal on Thanksgiving. Good Luck to all Sierra 180 Coasties!

KimiVern said...

Good Luck to ALL our Coastie Family, especially ALL of those that will be at Cape May during the holiday season..

mom in TN said...

MY son is in Romeo 180, he is loving it, I am so proud of him for what he has accomplished. I want to let everyone know that he says they have the best CC there, they are making him stronger and faster everyday. I also want to thank the USCG for letting the recruits go to a home on the holidays, they are very special people to take our loved ones in thier homes and spend the holidays with them, God bless them. I want to comment to Blah Blah Blogger, I to am very impressed when my son called and said yes maam, shocked but loved it. He is getting stationed in Alaska which is way far away. But I want to shout at Romeo 180 keep up the good work , work hard and keep that family feeling going, you all are doing wonderful. Son I miss you and love you very much, I am proud of you and God bless all the recuits and thier families. Happy Holidays to all.

Unknown said...

Happy Thanksgiving...Can't wait till Graduation day for Romeo 180

ProudPACoastieMom said...

Thank you to the USCG for everything they are doing for our family members. The families that have invited recruits to share their Thanksgiving and or Christmas dinners are wonderful people, that obviously appreciate the USCG.We are looking forward to graduation on 12/23, and again appreciate the thoughtfulness of the USCG for moving the date to allow our Coasties to be home for Christmas, that was a very pleasant surprise,and the best present a mother can get!
Are there enough families to host all of the recruits for Thanksgiving? I would be more than willing to take some out to a local restaurant for a holiday meal... Is there a phone number or website that I can find out if they need more places for the recruits to go? It won't be home cooked but it would probably be better than "messhall" turkey.

KimiVern said...

To ProudPACoastieMom - I found this information for you on Operation Fireside.

Anyone interested in participating in Operation Fireside for Christmas should contact the Cape May County American Red Cross Chapter at (609) 465-7382.

Hope this helps - Good Luck to your Coastie and Happy Holidays!