C6F leader helps USO and MWR bring a taste of home to Naples

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Stephen Oleksiak | Sailors stationed on the Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy, attend a “Taste of Home” dinner sponsored by the Naples-area United Service Organizations and Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee. A Taste of Home provides single sailors who are away from their families for Thanksgiving the opportunity to have a home-cooked meal. The meal was prepared and donated by other service members and their families in the Naples area.  

NAPLES, ITALY

11.18.2011

Story by Stephen Oleksiak 

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

NAPLES, Italy – The Naples-area United Service Organizations teamed up with the Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee to host a special “Taste of Home” dinner for single Sailors away from their families for Thanksgiving on the Naval Support Activity in Naples, Nov. 17.

During the dinner, Rear Adm. James G. Foggo, deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, assisted USO and MWR personnel, by carving turkey for the Sailors.

“Thanksgiving is a big tradition in U.S. and we want to bring a little bit of that tradition and that home environment here to Naples,” said Foggo. “Some of our single sailors may not have a place to go to get that special home-cooked meal, so they can come here to enjoy the camaraderie and have a good time.”

Members of the USO and MWR staff were happy to have 6th Fleet leadership help with the event, and were glad that they shared the same goals of bringing a little bit of home to Naples.

“Every year is a great turnout,” said Sabrina Pullido, director of USO in Naples and Rome. “We invite the whole community to support with home-cooked dishes, so the meals that the Sailors are getting are made with the same care and support that they would get from their own families back home.”

For sailors stationed overseas, opportunities like the “Taste of Home” dinner, are few and far between, so when there is an opportunity to get a real home-cooked meal, they jump at the chance.

“It felt really good to get some food that wasn’t from a can or fast food,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Robert Matthews. “It’s nice to see that the [USO, MWR and 6th Fleet leadership] show this kind of support for Sailors. It was good food, good camaraderie and a good time. It was almost like being back home.”

• Date Taken: 11.18.2011
• Date Posted: 11.18.2011 10:48
• Story ID: 80218
• Location: NAPLES, IT