Police called in on case of the missing Thanksgiving turkey, save the day for veterans

David R. Smith, The Patriot Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
Caffe Tosca in Hingham provided on-the-spur Thanksgiving meals for six local veterans whose own turkey went missing from their group home..

HINGHAM − A missing Thanksgiving turkey and a dispute about its whereabouts led to an act of generosity and a belly-filling meal for six local veterans.

Police were called to the Commander Paul Anderson House, a group home for veterans on Fort Hill Street, shortly before noon Thanksgiving Day for a dispute that began when its residents discovered the 20-pound turkey they had stored in the fridge of their shared kitchen had vanished, Hingham police Lt. Steven Dearth said.

Supermarkets were closed, so the officers told the veterans they would get a hot meal for them.

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"Even if we had to go three or more towns over, we were going to come back with something," Dearth said.

The solution was far closer to home, however.

One of the officers stopped at Tosca at 14 North St., one of the few open restaurants in the area, and explained the situation to the restaurant's general manager, Patrick Blye, to see if they had any extra meals the officers could buy for the veterans.

"The manager immediately said they would make it work," Hingham police said in a Facebook post about the situation. "Fifteen minutes later, Tosca’s staff had meals for six, including all the sides and even a pie for dessert boxed up. The manager refused to accept any payment and said they were happy they could help."

An officer called one of the veterans to tell them Tosca had meals for them and that they were on the way to the home.

“Tell them thank you and God bless," the veteran told police.

Dearth said restaurant employees told the officers that Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day are there two busiest days for them, which makes their willingness to help on the spot even more surprising.

"The staff at Tosca Restaurant stepped up without any hesitation to get these veterans a warm Thanksgiving Day meal in a pinch," Dearth said in the department's Facebook post. "We’re so appreciative of their support."

As for the missing turkey, Dearth said its whereabouts remain unknown.

Or as the police log entry stated: "Units clear. No turkey found."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hingham police, Tosca Restaurant provide Thanksgiving meals for vets