About 50 volunteers helped to host a busload of Naval Station Great Lakes recruits at what has been an annual Christmas party for a decade in Arlington Heights.
This year on Christmas day — which fell on a Sunday — recruits were treated to dinner, entertainment, snacks and opportunities to contact loved ones, phoning home to talk to family in many cases, at Christian Liberty Academy.
The Navy’s “Adopt a Sailor” program gives recruits a day in the civilian world by inviting area organizations to host young military members on Christmas and also on Thanksgiving. The outing is considered a special chance for recruits to get off the base, located near North Chicago, for respite, recreation and holiday cheer.
“It’s a special time. It makes the day extra meaningful; it’s a day of giving,” said Pastor Calvin Lindstrom, administrator at Christian Liberty Academy. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Bob and Linda Stack, of Arlington Heights, are organizers “of the wonderful effort,” said Greg Padovani, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights.
The Stacks are Gold Star parents of Marine Corps Lance Corporal James Stack who was killed in action Nov. 10, 2010, Padovani said.
“They are working hard to honor his memory by serving and supporting the active duty and veteran communities,” Padovani told Pioneer Press.
Bob and Linda Stack were on hand to welcome the military personnel. Recruits arrived by special motorcycle escort.
“We’re grateful for our son’s service,” Bob Stack said of his son, who was 20 years old when he died in Afghanistan.
“But this is all about the recruits, this is their day,” Bob Stack said. “We’re glad that the school is so gracious to make everything available for us to host the event and all the volunteers have come out.
Linda Stack said her son would have been 32 years old, stating it’s been 12 years since his death.
“We are so grateful for these patriots,” she said of the naval recruits.
Volunteers lined the steps to the school Sunday, many holding large American flags. Arlington Heights mayor Tom Hayes stood at the door of the bus and personally greeted recruits as they exited to come indoors for the occasion.
“This is a very special day,” said Hayes, who attended the event with his wife, Sue. “My wife and I will never miss it.
“I’m very proud to be the mayor of a community that is so honored to recognize our military service members and the families.”
Volunteer Patrick Hickey, of Wheeling, served in the U.S. Army during the mid 1960s.
Hickey said it is “always a pleasure seeing these young people doing the right thing. A lot of young people don’t get recognition and when you watch the news, all you see is the bad things about young people, you don’t see all of the good things. … These are the good things.”
Morgan Bean, of Salado, Texas, happened to be the first recruit to walk up the steps from the bus to enter the celebration. Bean joined fellow recruits for donuts and beverages to start the day.
“It’s nice being off base,” Bean said. “A lot more colors, a lot more vibrant, there are lots of smiles. … It’s a good feeling.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
