Operation Fireside

With the close of the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a program my family has been a part of for the last thirteen years, Operation Fireside. I am blessed to live near the only recruit training center for the United States Coast Guard and about 30 years ago they started Operation Fireside. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas local families can sign up to host recruits that are completing their basic training at the Cape May facility. Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house had become just another day with the exception of me cooking a big meal, it was just four or five of us and really nothing special. I wanted to have a larger gathering at my home but other family traditions and distance keeps extended family members from joining us. 2006 was a busy year with a new baby and a much-needed addition to our home. While I was preoccupied, I remembered seeing an article in the local paper looking for host families, the seed had been planted. Later I spoke with my husband about hosting the following year and with our first three recruits for Thanksgiving 2007 a new tradition was born. So at the completion of our thirteenth year, we have hosted 73 different recruits, with 2 coming to our home for both holidays and a bonus Marine. We only missed one Thanksgiving due to a house fire and lost the names and letters from those early recruits. Facebook and Instagram are great to keep in contact with the recruits and their families we have met over the years. And while every time the recruits are so appreciative and thankful for us taking them in for the day. I feel the same appreciation and thankfulness for them, not only are they dedicating their life to help keep our country safe they make my holidays special.

If you live within an hours drive from Cape May and would like to participate in this amazing program contact the American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces at 609-562-3483 or at opfiresidenj@redcross.org.