Arlington Heights Legion, Village Hosting Sailors For Thanksgiving

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Basic training is one of the most difficult parts of becoming a member of the military, especially for young people, as many are separated from family, technology and the outside world for the first time in their lives. For the 23rd year, American Legion Post 208 and the Village of Arlington Heights will be hosting local military members on Thanksgiving.

According to Greg Padovani, president and founder of PENS Communications Systems, LLC, about 50 Navy sailors who are currently doing their basic training at the Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, will be hosted for the holiday. A school bus carrying the sailors will travel to American Legion Post 208, 121 N. Douglas Ave., between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The public is invited to stop by at American Legion Post 208 on Thanksgiving Day and say "thank you" to the sailors when they arrive.

Thanks to the American Legion, Village and other area organizations, the sailors will receive a full Thanksgiving dinner, free phones to call home all day, desserts and treats, entertainment, video games, TV, and "lots of friendship." The event is made possible by "countless" volunteers from the American Legion and community, according to Padovani.