U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 Commander Dane Hayward cooking the Thanksgiving turkey for the U.S. Coast Guard Station's personnel at Noyo River in Fort Bragg, Calif., on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Courtesy photo.

FORT BRAGG, Calif. – On Wednesday, Nov. 17, nine members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County traveled to the United States Coast Guard Station at Noyo River in Fort Bragg to prepare and serve an early Thanksgiving turkey dinner for the Coast Guard personnel.

Several members from Flotilla 87 of Mendocino County also participated.

At the station, two turkeys were cooked by Flotilla Commander Dane Hayward.

Flotilla 88 members Gary Dromi, Harry and Bunny De Lope, John McEwen, Dan Fish and Betty Strach brought dressing, mashed potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes, gravy, three salads, cranberries, dinner rolls and soft drinks, with Nita and Jerry Collins providing two Thanksgiving sheet cakes decorated for the occasion.

More than 30 U.S. Coast Guard members enjoyed the sumptuous meal and were encouraged to go back for seconds and some even went for thirds.

It was a great event and the Flotilla members were delighted to provide some home cooking for the service personnel, many of whom will be away from home on Thanksgiving Day.

These men and women give us so much by patrolling our shores, answering calls for help and assistance, and much more. They stand by their motto: Semper Paratus!

Personnel at the U.S. Coast Guard Noyo River Station in Fort Bragg, Calif., chow down in an early Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Courtesy photo.