JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sailors at Mayport served up smiles and holiday cheer this Christmas, feeding their fellow comrades and veterans.
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The sound of steaks on the grill and the appreciation of service members and their families being served holiday ham.
They’re both staples of the annual tradition at Naval Station Mayport.
So too is the sight of top brass on base joining with mess hall staff as they serve up holiday meals to veterans like retired E5 Rodney Perry and his wife.
“This is our first week here and experiencing all this hospitality. First time, so we’re excited,” said Perry.
The head of operations at the mess hall, Chief Warrant Officer Karen Thompson, said it’s a team effort to put together this massive annual feast, which they’ve been prepping for since Monday.
“We broke out over 100 pounds of ham, over 250 pounds ribeye roll and we broke out like 200 pounds of Cornish hen,” said Thompson.
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This year, the kitchen served not only those who stopped by the mess hall but also an entire ship, the USS Winston Church Hill, which was ported at the base this Christmas.
“It’s fulfilling to me that they get to come spend time with their loved ones, they get to eat, and they get to be full and be merry and go home without having to clean up their kitchen. No stress. Just love life,” said Thompson.
At the head of the mess hall sat the POW/MIA table, which served as a reminder of those service members who never will, or have not yet, made it home.
But for those still here with us, the holiday meal represents a meaningful thank you for the sacrifices they’ve made to keep us safe.
“We’re staying at the Navy Inn. So, we don’t have like a home to go to, a Christmas tree to be around, that kind of stuff right now,” said Perry. “So, it’s nice to be around other folks that are celebrating Christmas and time together.”
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As for Thompson, she said she expected to make it home by 5 p.m. to enjoy the Christmas evening with her children.
And yes, she said she and her family will get to enjoy some of the spectacular food she and her team worked so hard to cook up.
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