My favorite Thanksgiving, ever

[Siwsan]

My last duty station was the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Just before my enlistment ended a British Aircraft Carrier, the HMS Illustrious pulled in to port, on its way home from the Falkland Islands. It was right at Thanksgiving and they put a call out for volunteers to host a sailor, or two, for dinner. Well, what the heck. I had already been to a party on the carrier and met a lot of the guys so I volunteered.

Mind you, I lived in a VERY small apartment, midway between the base and Center City. While I was busy making the whole shabang, the phone rang and they asked if I could take a couple more. What the heck. I bought a big bird. Shortly afterwards, the phone rang again. Yes, I ended up with 6 British Sailors at my place for dinner. And it was a wonderful night. I can still remember some of the conversations. We had a long discussion about the significance of each and every dish served. Dinner was a complete success. I had actually just returned from the UK - one of my numerous visits there - so we spoke the same language, so to speak. They were in town for a week, so the next night they invited me to join them for drinks. Of course I went, with my good friend. Then the phone rang again, Saturday afternoon and I heard ‘We’re at a place called Winstons! Where are you?’ My response was, I’m on my way.

I have to say, I was sad to see them sail off.

[LSFL]

1. Brits are great sailors

They've been doing it for so long. They set the bar in camaraderie.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Man, I forgot all about Winston's.

Are they still around in Philly?

[Siwsan]

4. I have no idea

It shocked me that the name even popped into my memory. We have a place in Flint called Churchills so maybe that's what triggered the memory. I can close my eyes and still see the place.

[JHB]

6. If it's this place(s), it closed in the early 90s:

H. A. Winston & Co.

H.A. Winston & Co., a.k.a. Winstons is formally a chain of restaurants centered in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area that was a phenomenon in the 1970s and 1980s but the chain closed its doors finally on July 14, 1992.

The first H.A. Winston & Co. restaurant opened in 1972 at Front and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Initially, the restaurant was considered a singles bar that sold a lot of hamburgers and onion soup,[1] but the chain grew into being a favorite casual dining establishment[2] with restaurants in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.

more at the link

[monmouth4]

3. I hope they remained life-long friends. Love stories like this, thanks for posting. n/t

[marked50]

5. Way cool story-thx-n/t

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. That seems to be a multi-national tradition

My dad was stationed in Athens in the 60's and we had Sailors from various ships of the 6th Fleet at the house for dinner every holiday.

Seems to me we had a Brit or two as well.

Very interesting and charming story.