No Thanksgiving break

I remember spending Christmas on deployment in Iceland. The USO folks came (I was working so missed the performance) but they came to the Brass Nut (officer lounge at the BOQ) and sang carols with us on Christmas Eve while snow gently fell outside. One of the guys made enchiladas for Christmas dinner. We'd all sat down to eat when we suddenly had to start flying -- folks literally got up from dinner. Yes, it was tough not to be at home, but we also made also special memories that, as you can see, have lasted much of a lifetime. Being busy also helped!
 
Thanksgiving dinner at Pussers in St. John during workups once was a great time.

Thanksgiving dinner in the wardroom because I was the low man on the totem, and pulled SDO duty while the whole squadron was ashore in France, was...not such a great time
 
My father missed several Thanksgivings and Christmas deployed to remote areas of the world. I recall one in Okinawa mom arranged to have 3 or 4 GIs recovering at Kadena come to the house. They were very grateful and it became something we did for years after. I asked her once, what if she didn't make Thanksgiving like their mothers? She said it's more about being around people that are glad you're there. If the Mids can cobble together some semblance of Thanksgiving they will enjoy themselves and remember it. Even if Cookie doesn't make the stuffing like mom.
 
brewer90 said:
Ummm, WHAT? Forgive the off topic dissent, but this spurious claim simply MUST be addressed. Thanksgiving is, in point of fact, the GREATEST of all holidays. I submit the following reasons:
  • It's an entire day focused on feasting.
  • Turkey (roasted, deep fried... I make no preference) is excellent and can stand on it's own
  • Turkey is also the delivery system for an entire MULTITIDE of delicious side dishes too numerous to mention here.
  • Pie. This one is important, so I'll say it again: PIE.
  • No presents to buy for anyone.
  • Football.
  • 2.5 days off.
  • Anybody can do Xmas, but only 'Mericans do Turkey Day.
🇺🇸🦃💪
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My favorite holiday for all of the listed reasons.
 
Anybody can do Xmas, but only 'Mericans do Turkey Day.
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Actually, Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving. It's on a Monday in early October. It's only a three-day WE, not a 4.5 day event. And it's not as "big" an event there as it is in the US. But did want to give our northern friends their due.

Back to the original topic, I'm sure lack of long WE for T-giving is hugely disappointing to the plebes, who didn't get PPW and many of whom have yet to see their parents since before I-Day. However, I hope the earlier start to winter break -- and what will likely be a longer winter break -- will make up for it. And I've no doubt that USNA will do everything possible to make T-giving special.

We'll all have to see what November brings, but it is likely that many families will forego the usual T-giving "reunion" due to Covid. So there will be disappointment and sacrifice across the country, as there has been for the last 6 months.
 
Amazing article. Sent it to my Mids. I still recall one of their coaches pointing out a quote from Senator McCain: ‘I learned everything I needed to get me through my time as a POW during plebe summer’. Paraphrased.

Good lessons in resiliency.
 
On it's way to DS. I think he does a good job of this already, but it never hurts to plant a seed before the next challenge.
 
Perspective and attitude are everything. Thanks for sharing the article. I just emailed to my plebe.
 
It seems some are thinking that winter break starting a week earlier could/will likely mean an extra week off. But I am not as hopeful for that (at least not for all of them), esp. given the machinations it will take get them all back. The spring semester calendar was taken down from the USNA web site a while ago. So I am contemplating, will they ROM coming back, and will it be in waves again? Also, the contract with St. John's is only for 1 semester, yeah? So where will the mids currently housed there move to and when? Will they even have room to bring back all the mids after break? NOT expecting answers here, just contemplating "aloud" the complexities the admin are dealing. Sempre Gumby.
 
All things I have also pondered myself. Doesn’t matter, but the mind does wander.

It’s such a constantly evolving thing. so much probably depends on when a vaccine is available? Could that be by January for military?

There also is the ability to test, with almost instant results. Would that be something to consider?

I am for sure going to suggest to my guys, that their rooms be buttoned up well. Storing important things at sponsors house. Probably a good idea going forward?
 
Hopefully SAs have learned their lesson and rooms will be emptied prior to winter break.
 
Sorry to say the Thanksgiving message hasn't changed much in fifty years. But then there was Christmas. Bob sure knew how to throw a party!!
 

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I have only recently looked at this thread and may have missed a posting about this but... It is my experience that many of the bases have "adopt a sailor" type programs at Thanksgiving to allow the public to host a military person for Thanksgiving. I live in Chicago and I know that they do this for the recruits at the Great Lakes Naval Station. I have fuzzy memories of the same type of thing in the Camp Pendleton area.
 
USMCGrunt said:
I have only recently looked at this thread and may have missed a posting about this but... It is my experience that many of the bases have "adopt a sailor" type programs at Thanksgiving to allow the public to host a military person for Thanksgiving. I live in Chicago and I know that they do this for the recruits at the Great Lakes Naval Station. I have fuzzy memories of the same type of thing in the Camp Pendleton area.
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The whole point of cancelling Thanksgiving break is to maintain the ‘bubble’. Allowing Joe Public to adopt a sailor would completely compromise that, I doubt very much that they will allow it.
 
justdoit19 said:
It’s such a constantly evolving thing. so much probably depends on when a vaccine is available?
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The fastest vaccine ever developed was for Mumps and it took 5 years. I wouldn’t pin any hopes on a vaccine being available any time soon. If it is I won’t be taking it, there simply wouldn’t be enough testing done to ascertain whether it is safe.
 
sanman said:
The whole point of cancelling Thanksgiving break is to maintain the ‘bubble’. Allowing Joe Public to adopt a sailor would completely compromise that, I doubt very much that they will allow it.
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Yes, of course. I wasn't addressing the USNA situation but rather presenting the practice as it has existed in the past. I strayed too far from the original post and didn't provide context. (guess that is what happens when you are multi-tasking during a conference call!) Sorry. I will step back and let the thread get back on track.
 
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