Dozens of families open their homes to marines away from theirs for Thanksgiving

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thanksgiving is a time family and friends gather to be with one another, but not everyone has the luxury of sharing the holiday with their loved ones.  

That’s why dozens of families across the Cape Fear opened their homes on Thursday to host more than 100 marines from Camp Lejeune. 

Port City Java CEO Steve Schnitzler started the tradition 13 years ago. This year, Neal Huggins took over the operation.  

Huggins and his wife Jeanine opened their home—and dinner table—to three marines from various places across the country. 

“It’s just something fun to do. These guys don’t have anywhere to go for the day, we heard about it, thought it was a great thing. We love opening our house to people, love bringing people in. Thanksgiving is a special, unique quintessential American holiday,” Neal said. 

“And it’s fun to feed people. We love to cook, and we love people that love to eat,” Jeanine added. 

Keythan Legozzie is originally from Guam, David Golightly is from Oklahoma, and Jaylen Vazquez is from Chicago, Illinois. Each had a special place at the Huggins’ dinner table.  

While their families are thousands of miles away, these marines say it’s nice to feel at home—even just for a little while.  

“Definitely shows that there are still good people out there. In such a harsh world that we live in, there’s always kindness,” Vazquez said. 

“It seemed pretty cool cause I don’t get to hang out with my family for Thanksgiving, it’d be pretty cool to meet some new people, so I was down,” Golightly added. 

“You have a place where you can meet some new people, enjoy some good food, share some stories. I feel like that’s the real meaning of thanksgiving,” Legozzie noted 

This is the Huggins’ eighth year hosting marines for the holiday. 

Neal said each year more people are stepping up, volunteering to invite marines to their Thanksgiving meal. 

“Everybody loves family, loves having people in Wilmington, and the families around here are not exception to that,” Neal said. 

“It’s also the south. People love to bring people in and show them hospitality,” Jeanine added.