JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of sailors, their families and retired veterans made their way to Naval Station Mayport for Thanksgiving dinner.
Guests found a taste of home at the award-winning on base restaurant, the “Oasis Galley.” Dinner included casseroles, mashed potatoes, ham, smoked turkey and more.
Retired Army Major Miguel Santana tells Action News Jax he and his family visit military bases across Florida for the holidays.
“We currently live down in Pompano Beach, Florida,” said Santana. “And we drove up here for the day to spend Thanksgiving with the sailors.”
Santana says spending the holidays with active duty military is a rewarding experience.
“What better way to show my kids what selfless service is than to spend the holidays with the service members?” said Santana.
Andrew Wladyka and his wife Carol live locally in Jacksonville. Andrew is a retired Army veteran.
“Well, we like to eat with the troops, so when they allow us retired folks to come down, we can come down,” said Andrew.
“My son’s Air Force and he’s in Alabama, so, we’ll have him for Christmas,” said Carol. “This base is nice! I love this base.”
Guests and organizers wore masks and temperatures were taken at the door.
With COVID-19 safety measures in place, Navy Warrant Officer Stewart Spencer says they wanted to make sailors feel at home.
“It is a priceless moment in time, being able to give that family setting to sailors that are away from their families,” said Spencer. “That’s just an unspeakable thing.”