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River Landing Opens Its Doors and Hearts to Single Marines on Thanksgiving

WALLACE, N.C., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- River Landing, a private golf community in Wallace, NC, will be hosting approximately 100 Marines from Camp Lejeune who don't have families to be with on this year's Thanksgiving Day holiday. This isn't just a "come have dinner " scenario, but much more of a day-long initiative where an entire community rallies around the young men and women about to be deployed and honors them in a very special way that they'll remember forever.

On Thanksgiving Day morning, in the manner of a celebration, a procession of two busses from Camp Lejeune will make the 45-minute ride to River Landing escorted the entire route by local, county and state police and sheriffs, and flanked by a sizeable group of motorcycle riders. The convoy is meant to show respect to these volunteers who are serving our country.

Upon arrival, River Landing will open the doors to the entire community for their military guests to enjoy. A breakfast will start off the morning at the clubhouse, followed by a full day of fun. Each Marine chooses how to spend their day. Some will want to take advantage of the many activities the community offers - golf and golf lessons, fishing, kayaking or using the fitness center or pool. Others will be just as happy being a couch potato while watching games on TV, throwing a football around the yard or helping to cook dinner.

Families living at River Landing host the Marines and top the day off with Thanksgiving dinner in their homes with their own families, many of which also have sons and daughters in the military. All the Marines will leave with gift bags, some hearty Thanksgiving leftovers and good memories.

The entire initiative was started, and is now coordinated, by River Landing resident, Robert Steen. With a 20+ year army background, Steen has always had a soft spot for the military. He knew that, for most Marines, Thanksgiving is just another day on the base, so three years ago he and his wife, Carol, decided to host 12 single Marines in their home for the holiday. A more formal program escalated from there. In 2008, more families got involved and hosted 49 Marines -- a full busload. This year, that number has doubled.

Over half of the Marine Corps is single and its Single Marine Program looks to find ways to help meet that group's specific needs. According to Susan Goodrich, Camp Lejeune's program coordinator, whomever the lucky Marines are that are selected to attend will have a day to remember for the rest of their lives.

"These guys and girls are looking at being deployed right after this and it may be their last home cooked meal for a while with a family," said Goodrich. "It's incredible to see the bonding that quickly occurs between these Marines and the families and what happens at the end of the day when you see the exchange of love and phone numbers. It's just a great, great thing that they're doing."

When asked about what he'd like the Marines to get from this experience, Steen responded emotionally, "You're going to break my heart, aren't you." Steen hopes when Marines leave River Landing that they know that there are a lot of folks out here that are thinking about them and will pray for them when they leave. "We will hope they get back safe and sound," said Steen, "and we hope they know how thankful we are for the mission they perform."

About River Landing

Founded in 1995 by The Murphy Family of Duplin County, 1,700-acre River Landing ranks among the top-selling private golf communities in North Carolina. To date, more than 1,200 homesites have been purchased in the thriving community along the Northeast Cape Fear River, including the early stages of the state's latest vineyard - the Vineyards at River Landing. www.riverlanding.com

SOURCE River Landing