A day of food and camaraderie, courtesy of The American Legion Family

While most Americans were spending Thanksgiving in their own homes, or in those of friends of family, members of Dallas Love Field American Legion Post 453’s Legion Family spent their day – and part of Friday serving those who serve the community.

For the fifth straight year, the Texas post hosted its First Responders Thanksgiving Celebration. From 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving until 2 p.m. Friday, the post stays open to provide meals to local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency response personnel.

The post, which previously was a restaurant, provides both sit-down and takeout meals, in addition to delivering meals to those who cannot leave their duty station.

The idea for the 24-hour meal came from Past Auxiliary Unit 453 President Holly Heatly, who also serves as the department’s Auxiliary membership chairman. Heatly said the first year of the meal was chaotic and the second year “a little more efficient. And each year it’s grown from there.”

This year the post served 425 meals, in addition to another 100 meals served during the post’s Legion Family dinner. Planning for the event starts around three months in advance and includes soliciting donations from area merchants.

Heatly and Post 453 member Jeff Perkins were at the post from Wednesday afternoon until Thanksgiving Day, cooking turkeys in preparation for the meal. Other Legion Family members sign up for shifts. “We have zero problems getting volunteers to do this,” Heatly said. “Everybody just totally comes together. It’s a good way to start the holidays.”

While many first responders come in to dine, others cannot break away from their responsibilities. “There’s some dispatchers (who) cannot get out, so we deliver to them,” Heatly said. “They call in an order and we put it out that day for them. We have adopted some firehouses also, and we take a full meal to them … and to a police station in one of our little suburbs.”

It’s a lot of work, but Heatly said every minute is worth it – especially when she and other Legion Family members see the reactions from their dinner guests.

“I wish you could see their faces. It’s so amazing,” Heatly said. “They’re just so appreciative that someone has shown their appreciation that (the first responders) are working. They hug. They’re big huggers. They smile, and we give them our blessings.”

Great Day for Great Lakes Recruits. While first responders were the special guests at Post 53, several Department of Illinois American Legion posts opened their doors to military personnel stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes.

At Morton Grove Post 134, 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes were dinner guests. Their day included morning sweets and beverages, a midday dinner, live musical entertainment, Xbox games, movies and access to Skype via computers. The servicemembers also were able to make free phone calls anywhere in the world, thanks to six donated phone lines from AT&T.

"I called my mom and my dad. I miss them very much and I'm blessed to be here," Navy recruit Belicia Mangum of Dallas, Texas, told the Chicago Tribune.

It’s the 12th year Post 134 has hosted the recruits from the Navy base. Casey Bachara, the event’s chairman and founder, said the community donates food to the post for the recruits. Having worked for AT&T before retiring helped Bachara secure the phone lines.

“They can call anywhere in the world all day long (for free),” Bachara said. “And with the computers we have set up, they can Skype their families. They live on them.”

The post also shoots video of the day and then provides a DVD and Blue Star Banner to the family members of the recruits.

“(The recruits) are within a week of graduation,” Bachara said. “It’s their first time off base. They’re just a great bunch of kids. Everything is ‘yes sir’ or ‘no sir.’ It’s just fun to be around them.”

And more than 200 recruits from the Navy facility came to American Legion Post 974 in Franklin Park, where the host post and Post 159 from Wheeling, Ill., teamed up to provide a dinner. Leyden School District 212 bus drives picked up the recruits, who were escorted by Leyden Township first responders and greeted by community members waving American flags as they arrived at Post 974.

"To me, it's so exciting to help share a family event with these cadets who couldn't be with their own families," Auxiliary Unit 974 Chaplain Colinette Marshall told the Chicago Tribune. “This is a day we want to share our thanks with them for what they're going to be doing for our freedom."

Around the Nation. The following are just samples of what American Legion posts did on or around Thanksgiving for their communities.

Arkansas

American Legion Post 27 in Fayetteville provided dozens of meals to veterans during their fourth annual Thanksgiving dinner. Nearly all of the food for the dinner is donated, while Arkansas Boys State attendees volunteer to help serve the meals.

“It’s just something we like to do you know – bring the community together, bring veterans together,” Post 27 Second Vice Commander and event organizer Gary Mcghee told 40/29 News.

California

In Salinas, American Legion Post 31 opened its doors to feed anyone in need of a Thanksgiving meal.

Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and, of course, pumpkin pie, were gobbled up at the American Legion Post 31's free Thanksgiving Day feast. Post 31 Commander Natividad Osuna Jr., said 500-600 sit-down and to-go meals were served. The post provided much of the food, while donations also were made to the event.

Colorado

American Legion Post 161 in Arvada continued its at least 10-year tradition of hosting a meal for The American Legion and veterans in the area. The meal, donated by Post 161, included turkey and sides.

“We have everything that you can think of,” volunteer Willie Sehoeninger told the Arvada Press. “People even bring oysters and shrimp … anything reminiscent of past family holidays.

“We always have enough food. Everyone is real thankful. It’s a very positive thing, a great day.”

Massachusetts

The ovens stayed busy at Lester S. Wass Post 3 in Gloucester, where enough turkeys were cooked to provide close to 500 meals for area residents at the post’s 30th annual Thanksgiving dinner. Meals were both served at the post and delivered; local food pantry Open Door provided the side dishes, while any leftover food went back to Open Door to provide to area residents using the food pantry.

“We see our role in the community as being able to provide a turkey and all the fixings to anyone on Cape Ann (and Ipswich), to anyone who needs one,” Post 3 Commander Mark Nestor told the Gloucester Timers. “And by the time we close our door (Thanksgiving night), we will have done that.”

Minnesota

Forty turkeys were roasted and served by over 100 volunteers at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Brainerd American Legion Post 255. Volunteers from the Elks Lodge, Eagles Club, VFW and The American Legion served or delivered 643 dinners. Brainerd and Baxter police officers, Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office personnel, Brainerd firefighters and other volunteers delivered the meals, available for a freewill donation, to people's homes.

Mississippi

At American Legion Post 139 in Bay St. Louis, more than 200 people were served dinner during the post’s 34th Thanksgiving meal. The post also delivered meals to area residents.

Missouri

In what has been a tradition for more than 25 years, American Legion Post 55 in Hannibal again provided a free Thanksgiving dinner for area residents. Legion Family members and others in the community donate the food, while volunteers show up to help serve the food.

Nearly 600 meals were prepared this year: 150 served at the post or carried out, and the rest delivered to area residents.

Nevada

American Legion Post 16 in Fallon hosted a Thanksgiving meal for the community, while post volunteers also delivered Meals on Wheels dinners since the local senior center was closed.

New York

Theodore Korony American Legion Post 253 in the Bronx and nonprofit Acacia Network delivered 29 turkeys and bags with side dishes and other items to provide Thanksgiving dinners for veterans families in need.

Pennsylvania

American Legion Post 463 in Plymouth provided a Thanksgiving meal for area veterans, a tradition dating back more than a decade, the post also delivered meals to those who couldn’t make it to the post.

"Take a look at their faces. They really appreciate it. And I know because during the week we've heard they can't wait to get down here" Post 462 Commander John Mazur told WBRE-TV.

West Virginia

In Williamstown, Post 159 hosted its 14th free community Thanksgiving meal and also delivered more than 100 meals. More than 250 meals total were served by the post.

Wisconsin

Lesselyong-Sadowska-Kesler-Martin-Altmann Post 54 in Marshfield continued what is thought to be a 25-year tradition by hosting a Thanksgiving meal that was free and open to the public. More than 500 meals were served in over two hours. Marshfield Bus Service provided transportation to those unable to come to the post on their own, while delivery service was provided for those unable to travel.