
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The welcomed rain did not deter the four U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County members who traveled to the Coast Guard Station at Noyo River in Ft. Bragg.
There they joined eight members of Flotilla 8-7 of Mendocino County to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving luncheon on Nov. 19 for the Coast Guard personnel – or “Coasties” – and families.
Flotilla 8-7 members roasted two turkeys, baked a ham, prepared five different kinds of dressing and made the gravy.
Flotilla 8-8 provided cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green salad, bean salad and a corn casserole.
Also, two loaves of homemade bread, four dozen dinner rolls and butter were provided.
For dessert, two pumpkins pies, one apple pie, and a custard cream pie, all homemade, were served.
Cold drinks and water also were provided as well as the plates, napkins and eating utensils.
Approximately 40 dinners were served to the station personnel, their wives and children, and flotilla members.
It was gratifying to have so many wives and families as well as Coasties at the luncheon.
The young families thoroughly enjoyed the meal and seconds were encouraged since there was more than enough food.
The remaining food was refrigerated so that the Coasties could enjoy the left overs later especially the much sought-after turkey sandwiches.
For the past several years, the flotillas have prepared a Thanksgiving lunch for the Coast Guard personnel and families.
The event is always fun and greatly satisfying because it gives these young men and women who work so tirelessly keeping us safe a brief but heartfelt sense of home and the holidays.
Dorothy De Lope is public affairs officer for Flotilla 8-8.