Families Host CG Recruits

CAPE MAY – As families and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, some 160 families are anticipating new faces at their table. They will belong to recruits from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May who will join them as part of Operation Fireside.
Operation Fireside is a program run and organized by the Southern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross. Through it families host recruits for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. It’s in its 38th year.
This year, 450 recruits will spend each holiday with local families sharing stories, food, and refreshments, watching football and talking with loved ones after several weeks without contact during basic training.
About three hosts have over 30 years in the program, and 10 hosts have over 20 years participating in Operation Fireside, according to the Red Cross.
This year there are about 50 families who are first-time hosts, having been referred by prior or current hosts, according to the Red Cross.
In addition, a number of groups are participating in the program, as well as military veterans and active duty personnel.
“I’m excited to be able to open up our home to the recruits,” noted Monica Fay, of Court House. She and her husband recently moved to the area from East Brunswick.
In anticipation of their move, she joined a number of local Facebook groups to become better acquainted with the area. That’s how she learned about Operation Fireside.
“My husband, father, and grandfather all served, so we have a great respect for the military,” she noted. “I read about all the great experiences people had hosting the recruits and thought it would be a great way to start a new tradition in a new area.”
Another first-time host, Rosalie Rivera, of Cape May, is looking to share her culinary skills with her recruits. “I’m a former culinary professional, so I get so excited to think about what I’m going to cook and bake,” she said. “I hear the recruits just want to eat and talk with their families and eat and talk.”
Rivera and her husband spend 95 percent of their time in Cape May. They have neighbors who have hosted recruits for years.
Her husband also served in the military, and upon hearing of the positive experiences of others, they decided this year was a good time to be a host family.
“I’m the original helicopter mom and would be terrified thinking of my child going to a stranger’s for a holiday,” she admitted, “so I really appreciated the vetting that’s done before you become a host family.
“We’re super excited to be a host family, and we want our recruits to feel comfortable,” she added. “I look forward to meeting them and their families through video chatting and letting them relax for the day.”
Fred Uhlman, of Wildwood, is another first-timer who is excited about hosting recruits with friends and family. “We will celebrate Thanksgiving at my girlfriend’s house in Egg Harbor Township,” he said. “Her name is Shirley, and her father was a World War II vet, and I’m a Vietnam vet who wished something like this was available when I was in the service.
“I spent two Thanksgivings and Christmases in ‘Nam, and I know what it feels like to be away from family during the holidays,” Uhlman said. “We have two big beautiful turkeys lined up and waiting to do their duty. There will be 13 for dinner, and everyone is looking forward to meeting the recruits.”
One couple, Sheila and Rick Brown, of North Wildwood, have been hosting recruits for Thanksgiving and Christmas since 2003. That’s the year they opened a bed and breakfast, and opened their doors to large groups of recruits. Last year, they hosted 15 for both holidays.
“We love doing it,” Brown said about the experience. “We love meeting the recruits, hearing their stories, learning about each of them.
“We always take a photo of all the recruits and send it to their families,” she added. “Through social media, we’ve stayed in touch with some of them, met their families, attended their graduation. It’s such a fun time.”
Some of the newer recruits will be grouped together and attend events with local organizations, such as the Clark-Eliason American Legion Post 352,  Somers Point, and the First Presbyterian Church, Cape May.
“It’s a long day but a good day,” noted Legion Commander Bob Frolow. They pick up their recruits at 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day and take them to see the Vietnam Wall in Wildwood. From there, they travel to Ocean City and get some historical information about the Coast Guard and lifesaving station. Then they head to the legion for a day of eating, talking on the phone, watching television and playing games.
“Some of our members were in the Coast Guard, so they really enjoy the time with the recruits,” he said. “For some of the recruits, this might be their first holiday away from family so it can be difficult for them.”
Volunteers from the legion cook the food, which is usually donated from area businesses. “It’s a nice combo of getting a chance for some home-cooked food and relaxation,” Frolow added.
Members of the First Presbyterian Church have hosted recruits over the years in their homes, so this year they wanted to make it a community event and host the recruits at the church.
According to Deacon Stephanie Adelizzi, they are looking to host about 10 recruits on Thanksgiving and anyone from the congregation who wants to join them.
“We’ve had such great experiences hosting in our homes, so this year we’re going to have a bit of a revolving door at the church,” she said. “It’s so humbling to be able to share this time with the recruits and support our community.”
At this point, the Red Cross still needs a few more families for Christmas.
If anyone is interested in becoming a host family, email Dawn Szabo (dawn.szabo@redcross.org) and let her know their address and how many recruits they could host.
Each family must be able to host a minimum of two recruits from noon-8 p.m.
Prospective hosts will need to fill out an application form and review the guidelines for participating in the program. Recruits are not allowed to receive gifts during their visit.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.