American Legion Commander Linda Fox, right, and Diana Norwood volunteer in the kitchen during Thursday’s Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by Ed McDaris

A family enjoys Thanksgiving dinner at the American Legion Thursday. Photo by Ed McDaris

Ed McDaris guards the dessert table Thursday at the American Legion Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Courtesy photo

BY ED MCDARIS

Thursday saw many helpers very busy at the American Legion post and it all started the night before when Ron Smith fired up his smoker.  Ron smoked turkeys all night and then at 4 a.m., that’s “o dark thirty” for most of us, Commander Linda Fox showed up with her group of helpers to start the preparations for the big feed.

By 8 a.m. more than 15 helpers were busy in the kitchen and throughout the dining area setting up tables and the serving area for the day’s festivities.

When the doors opened at 11 a.m. a line of six people was waiting to have a Thanksgiving meal of green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, potatoes and gravy, corn, dressing and of course the turkey.  To top all that off there was a table chock full of desserts and Ed McDaris made sure your plate was clean before you got to visit that table.

By 2 p.m. the Legion had fed over 150 members of the community and even a family that had just moved to Los Alamos the week before.

All in all a great time was had by all and everyone went home with a full belly.  During the day the very generous people of Los Alamos gave donations totally over $1,100 dollars that the American Legion will use to ensure a Merry Christmas for local adopted Christmas families.

A family enjoys dessert Thursday at the American Legion. Photo by Ed McDaris

Some of the 150 diners who celebrated Thanksgiving with dinner Thursday at the American Legion. Photo by Ed McDaris