Walker said he had an extended phone call with his parents and siblings, which he hasn’t been able to do since leaving home for training at the beginning of the month.

“It’s my first holiday away from home,” Walker said, “but everyone here treats you like you’re family.”

Volunteer Pamela Carti has helped with the dinner every year, knowing firsthand how tough the holidays can be on military families. Her son, currently a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, spent many holidays away from home.

“As a mom, you think about your kid being alone on Christmas, and it’s sad. You miss them, and they miss you. But it’s nice to know that they are being cared for during the holidays,” said Carti.

“I don’t know why they didn’t have dinners like this when I was young,” said Phil Green. Green, a Navy veteran and member of the Elks, recalled the holidays he spent away from home.

After-dinner activities included a projector to watch holiday movies, billiards and shuffleboard, as well as socializing with Elks members, many of whom are veterans.

“You get to live like a civilian for a few hours,” said recruit Jacob Crowl, 20, of southern California.

The recruits reported back to the training center Monday night and will continue with five more weeks of training before graduation in late January.