
Thanksgiving Tradition at St. James
By Bob Liepa, Staff Writer – COAST Magazine
St. James has a Thanksgiving Day tradition that goes beyond turkey and football—it involves serving those who are serving America.
For at least 13 years, Thanksgiving Day has meant hosting young United States Marines for some St. James families. The Marines are bused from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville to the St. James Community Center on Thanksgiving morning. Upon arriving, each Marine is assigned a family to spend the day with and share a holiday meal. By 6 p.m., the Marines return to the community center for the bus ride back to Camp Lejeune, with the cost of the buses covered by American Legion Post 543. “It’s the least we can do to serve them,” says Rick Quashne Jr., who helped initiate the tradition.
The tradition began when Rick’s late wife, Brenda, learned that a nearby community was having trouble hosting a busload of Marines for Thanksgiving dinner. Brenda then volunteered St. James, offering not only to accommodate the 55 Marines on that bus but to host an additional busload as well. When informed that 10 more Marines would be left out, she insisted, “Oh no, they’re all going to come. We’ll rent a van.”
Over the years, it’s estimated that at least 1,945 service members have experienced St. James Thanksgiving hospitality. “They can’t go home, so we bring them home—our home here,” Quashne said. “They’re like our kids.” In 2023, the event saw its largest turnout yet, with 185 military service members, including a few from the Navy and Coast Guard, arriving on four buses to be greeted by about 70 host families.
Robin Weiss and her husband, David, who live in Bolivia, NC, hosted two Marines after seeing a social media post about the event. “It leaves me with a nice feeling for them because they’re just kids far from home, serving their country, and it’s the least we can do to serve them,” said Robin. Activities for the day may include golf, cornhole, croquet, ping-pong, a beach walk, or a visit to Southport. However, Beth Martin, a 17-year St. James resident, hosted three female Marines who simply wanted to relax and watch movies. “They just sat on the couch enjoying the films. We were like, ‘That’s great. Do whatever you’d like,’” she said.
For Beth, these gatherings hold personal meaning. Her father often shared stories about being invited to Sunday dinners while stationed in an Army camp. “It touches me that I’m able to do something that I know meant a lot to him,” she said.
Air Force veteran Stuart Tomlin recalls the hospitality he received while in basic training. He and his wife, Jennifer, hosted four Marines last year, and they like to stop by a grocery store so their guests can pick out treats. This Thanksgiving, the Tomlins are expecting 56 family members from the U.S. and Canada, and hope to host four to six Marines. Their menu will feature three types of turkey—traditional, smoked, and deep-fried—along with two hams.
“It’s giving them a place to get away from the structure of the military and still enjoy a home-cooked meal,” Stuart said. “It’s just taking time out of our lives to show them we really appreciate what they’re doing.”
Tom Doyle and his wife Jane, who have hosted Marines for three years, agree. “There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal on Thanksgiving. It’s the best eating day of the year,” Tom said. Donna Ciliberto and her husband, David, hosted three Marines last year. “We never asked them to do a single pushup,” Donna joked, sharing that her guests enjoyed football, food, a smoked turkey, and a variety of desserts. “They were so young, just out of high school.”
Barbara Myers and her partner, Michael Galchus, who have been part of the program for years, often host Marines who don’t know each other. “We don’t know who’s going to be assigned to us,” she said.
Rick Sessa, one of the program’s founders, reflected on his family’s experience with two Marines they hosted last year, describing them as “exemplary young people.” “We don’t have to worry about our country when we see the quality of individuals that were at our home,” he said.
One year, the Sessas joined forces with several families to host a dinner with 17 people, including eight Marines. “You give them a feeling of friendship and family,” Rick said. “They become an extended family.”
Army veteran Ted Stephens and his wife Jackie hosted four Marines in 2023, as they do every year. Ted arranges a phone call with Ret. Lt. Gen. Joe Kinzer during the visit, and the general shares stories and advice with the young service members. “It warms our heart. It’s just a sense of pride that we have for our country,” Ted said.
Special requests are sometimes made. Last year, Tom and Jane Doyle’s 11-year-old granddaughter asked for a female Marine to join them. Her request was granted, and she personally invited two Marines off the bus. “A lot of them haven’t had Thanksgivings like this,” Tom said. “I want my grandchildren to see how lucky they are.”
The day doesn’t end without sending the Marines back with gifts and leftovers. “At the end of the day, my wife and I felt it more for our hearts than anyone else,” Rick Sessa said. “It does feel good to give back,” Donna Ciliberto added. “You can give money to charity, but giving back personally really hits home.”
There’s no shortage of host families. By early August, Quashne was already fielding calls from families eager to participate. “It’s been a home run,” he said, noting that other communities have expressed interest in starting similar programs.
Quashne likens the annual event to the movie Groundhog Day: “Every day I turn around, it’s Thanksgiving.” Debbie Miller, who hosted four Marines last year, summed it up: “The best thing about this tradition is giving back. They’re putting their lives on the line. It’s the least we can do, one day out of the year.”





