More than 100 people were at the Charles E. Sherman Jr. hall Thanksgiving Day for the American Legion's free community Thanksgiving feast from noon to 3 p.m. While the Legion is known for its breakfasts throughout spring and fall, this event was the first time Post #36 provided a holiday meal.

Auxiliary Vice President Sue Burge said, "It was the brainchild of our Post Commander Robin Ford. She said a lot of people are alone on the holiday or have small families and we can welcome them and feed them."

Ford said the subject came up at the Post's meeting in October and the members voted to do it. With that, the Legion's hardworking members went into action. Post 1st Vice Commander Christopher Armstead reached out to Boothbay Harbor Hannaford which donated turkeys, stuffing, pies and two cases of cranberries.

Armstead thanked store managers James Shive, Dave Joy, Ryan Morin and Chuck Cunningham who he said were "always there for us and providing for us whenever we're in need." Legion members donated additional turkeys and Auxiliary and community members provided rolls, sides, punch and homemade pies. East Boothbay Methodist Church also donated homemade desserts.

Post Service Officer Ed Harmon and his team including Art Richardson were in the kitchen Wednesday morning putting turkeys in the oven at 6 a.m. They worked through two days to make sure there was enough food for everyone to have a Thanksgiving dinner. According to Burge, by 3 p.m. the volunteers had fed 111 people. Burge and Larz Neilson counted those arriving and provided the kitchen with continuous updates so the cooks knew how much food was needed. 

Former Post Commander David Patch offered to provide transportation to anyone who needed it. Vietnam veteran Phillip Tauber of East Boothbay doesn't drive and took Patch up on his offer because he didn't have plans for the holiday. Patch told the Register, "He was thrilled with it, and it brought a smile to his face that I haven't seen."

Burge estimated in addition to those working in the kitchen, there were 25 volunteers including front end servers, dessert volunteers, front end coordination of reservations and decor, cleanup crew, beverage center and those who "stayed in the sink all day," washing dishes, pots and pans. Bobby Moore provided musical background on the piano throughout the meal.

"So many people who had dinner stayed to help after," Burge said. "A number of young servers from Charlotte, North Carolina were visiting family, stopped by and worked the whole day. A father and son arrived as the doors opened and went right into the kitchen to help with the food trays." 

Ford thanked everyone for their hard work on the dinner and said the money received in donations on Thursday will be used for the Post's community outreach. "It went very well and everyone enjoyed it," she added. Asked if they will do it again next year, she said "yes."

"For our first holiday dinner it was everything we could have hoped for and more," Burge said. "We filled so many hearts today."