Memorial Day Marine Delivery

The famous Best Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria of Gatlinburg, TN is over 300 miles from Charleston, SC, but a special delivery meal was made on Memorial Day. Marine Lance Corporal (LCpl) Carly Watts and three other marines were the recipients of the special delivery. The four marines are assigned to Camp Pendleton, CA, but are TDY (Temporary Duty) in Summerville, SC for approximately one week. Making the delivery were LCpl Watts’ parents, Missy and Alan Watts of Newport, TN. Carly is one of four former Best Italian employees who were employed at the restaurant through high school and are now in the military. Mike Allen, now a navy officer, his brother John B. Allen a navy aircraft carrier flight deck technician, and Jeff McElraph who served in Afghanistan with the army round out the foursome.

The Best Italian is located in Elks Plaza which is owned by Elk Lodge 1925. The Lodge has many community service projects including a veterans’ support committee and visits area VA hospitals on a regular basis. Missy Watts and Jim England, owner of Best Italian, are both Elk members. When informed of the Watts’ plans to visit their marine Jim said: “Give him our best and take him some food.” Baked ziti, pepperoni pizza, and Chef Paulie’s world famous garlic rolls went on the five hour trip. The late Chef Paul E. Senechal of Best Italian was Gen. Westmoreland’s personal chef in Viet Nam, a lifelong Elk member, and a very influential force in the lives of these four young men. Very appropriate on Memorial Day.