Cape Fear families celebrate Thanksgiving with U.S Marines

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Many are gathering with friends and family on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving with the ones they love. But not everyone gets to go home for the holidays.   

For the first time in four years, some families in the Cape Fear were able to open their homes to marines from Camp Lejeune on Thursday. 

“We wanna make sure that we’re making the day about them and they’re able to relax and do what makes them comfortable for at least a five-to-six-hour period,” Darrin Overholt said. 

The CEO of Port City Java started this ‘Marines for Thanksgiving’ holiday tradition more than 12 years ago. But he hasn’t been able to do it since 2019 because of COVID-19.   

Each year, a bus full of young marines pulls into the Hoggard High School parking lot, where dozens of volunteer families, like Alissa and Darrin Overholt, are waiting to pick them up and take them home.  

“We have two little boys and I know that if they were away from us and they couldn’t be with us, for whatever reason, especially their job, as a mom – I would want someone to bring them into their home and make them feel like family,” Alissa Overholt said. 

The day may include sightseeing in Wilmington and playing games. But it always ends with a Thanksgiving meal.  

Private First Class Hayden Telck said since he couldn’t see his family in Colorado Springs, he is grateful another family made him feel like a part of theirs.  

“Beyond thankful. They’re great people. Reminds me a lot about home. So, it’s also really good instead of spending Thanksgiving in the barracks, I’m actually here enjoying it with another family,” Telck said. 

JohnLouis Florendo said while he is miles away from his wife and family, it’s moments like this that make him feel right at home.  

“This family took their time to provide hospitality to us and feed us during the holidays while we are away from our own families,’ Florendo said. 

There were more than 50 Marines who were able to enjoy their Thanksgiving with a family in the Cape Fear on Thursday.