Operation Fireside Continues to Link Host Families, Coast Guard Recruits for Thanksgiving

Press Release
Dec 2, 2019
Dec 2, 2019 Updated Dec 2, 2019
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Operation Fireside Continues to Link Host Families, Coast Guard Recruits for Thanksgiving

U.S. Coast Guard recruits Austin Gray and Joshua Sorvillo head out of the Training Center in Cape May with nine-year-old Nathan and his father Tom Stocker to their home in Cape May Court House to celebrate Thanksgiving Day as part of Operation Fireside.

American Red Cross

Red Cross volunteer Gary Halbe and his wife Denise welcome U.S. Coast Guard recruits Cristian Gaytan, Joseph Boucher and Robert Villeda, Jr. into their home for Thanksgiving Day as part of Operation Fireside.

American Red Cross

U.S. Coast Guard recruit Cristian Gaytan receives a hug from Denise Halbe as he and fellow recruits Robert Villeda, Jr., and Joseph Boucher arrive at the Halbe home in Ocean City to celebrate Thanksgiving as part of Operation Fireside.

American Red Cross

Red Cross Volunteer Gary Halbe picks up U.S. Coast Guard recruits Robert Villeda, Jr., Cristian Gaytan and Joseph Boucher at the Training Center in Cape May to bring them to his home in Ocean City to celebrate Thanksgiving as part of Operation Fireside.

American Red Cross

Tracey and Jeff Martin, far right, and family members Heather and Travis Noland, far left, with their daughters Sarah and Carley, welcome U.S. Coast Guard recruits Julianee Mendoza, Julieann McDonnell and Miranda Day into their Cape May home to celebrate Thanksgiving as part of Operation Fireside.

American Red Cross

George and Carole Sick welcome U.S. Coast Guard recruits Shiara Mayol-Negron and Elizabeth Judge into their Cape May home on Thanksgiving Day as one of the 120 host families and community organizations participating in Operation Fireside with the American Red Cross.

American Red Cross

Carole and George Sick welcome U.S. Coast Guard recruits Shiara Mayol-Negron and Elizabeth Judge into their Cape May home to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family members Matthew and Allie Sick with daughters Ava and Sophia, Steve Sick and Amanda Tram, as one of the 120 host families and community organizations participating in Operation Fireside with the American Red Cross.

American Red Cross

CAPE MAY - A longstanding holiday tradition continued Nov. 28 when many Cape May County families hosted Coast Guard recruits from Training Center Cape May as part of Operation Fireside.

According to a release, the day affords trainees a time away from military rigors and allows them to relax with families like their own.

In the past the early bonds formed as part of Operation Fireside have continued as families and Coast Guard members remained in contact for many years after graduation and military service.

For the families, who may have service members of their own away from home during the holidays, it helps bring the bond of all services closer.

Operation Fireside is a program overseen by the American Red Cross, which provided the accompanying photographs from Thanksgiving 2019.