NORTH ADAMS — It’s been awhile since Orlando Rocco Magnifico has left the house; 54 days to be exact.

On Christmas, the 98-year-old was ready for a change of scenery and a bit of company. With his daughter, Patricia Magnifico-Duquette, at his side, the World War II Navy veteran made his way to the Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125 to partake of a free Christmas dinner.

Lynn Senecal and Patricia Magnifico-Duquette flank Orlando Rocco Magnifico, who served aboard the USS  Orion during World War II. Now 98, he came to the Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125 to enjoy a free Christmas dinner.

It was the Legion’s 70th year holding this meal, and Magnifico had plenty of company at his table and in the dining room.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, in-house attendance had fallen off, but this year organizers pushed for people to meet at the table for the “Be our Guest” event. And it worked.

In the first 35 minutes, more people showed up than were served in the entire two-hour period a year ago, according to Michael St. Pierre of Adams, who worked alongside CJ Hazell of Readsboro, Vt., to do the heavy lifting for this event.

"I'm not a Christmas guy. I never really have been," said  Michael St. Pierre, who does a lot of the heavy lifting at the Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125.

St. Pierre, who is the assistant catering chef at Williams College, grew up with Christmases at the Legion and he's volunteered off and on. This year was his third time in the kitchen. His father, Dennis, is a U.S. Navy veteran and has been an officer at the Legion.

Hazell and St. Pierre arrived at 8 a.m. to prepare and cook turkey breasts, instant mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, gravy, rolls and bake frozen pies. Kristen LaFleur of North Adams joined them to build and bag ham sandwiches for people to take for dinner.

Everything was nearly completed two and a half hours later, with a little help for the first time from Jeff Kemp, who’s a retired Pittsfield police officer.

CJ Hazell and Jeff Kemp chat while preparing the Christmas meal at the Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125 in North Adams on Thursday.

“This is the part of Christmas I really enjoy,” Kemp said. “Not that I don’t like getting presents and being with my family. This just gives you a sense of accomplishment. My previous employment, I worked with people that didn’t have anything and people that were struggling to put food on the table and have Christmas presents, people that don’t have family and veterans.”

When it came to serving time, the cooks and others jumped in to plate and serve meals as well as to make deliveries to about 35 people who couldn’t make it to the Legion.

Among the first to walk in for lunch was Francis E. “Frenchie” Fredette Jr. of North Adams, a retired cook, who spent his morning at home cooking prime rib for elderly people and making deliveries.

He rode his bicycle to the Legion.

Orlando Rocco Magnifico spend 29 months aboard the USS Orion during World War II. He said he was served a good Christmas meal aboard the submarine tender, which helped guard the Panama Canal.

“Look at this nice crowd,” Fredette said as he stood in the doorway of the Legion’s bar. “Dinner in there?”

He peeled off his backpack and then took a seat.

“I like to mingle,” he said. “I’m just coming out to a meal where I don’t have to worry about a meal.”

He sat with Vinnie Winslow, 60, of North Adams, who appreciated the free meal as well.

Magnifico, the World War II veteran, served 29 months on the USS Orion, a submarine tender, where he served as a metalsmith welder second class.

Orlando Rocco Magnifico and state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, share a moment at the Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125 on Thursday.

He worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad when he returned and married Ceil Strzepek, of Adams. The two honeymooned in New York City, where he bought her a corsage every day. He retired as a clerk in the North Adams post office.

On Thursday, he got a warm greeting from his niece, Lynn Senecal, who sat at his table.

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, whose father was a founder of the event 70 years ago, also stopped by to say hello.

When Magnifico told Barrett his age, Barrett said, “God bless you. Two more years, I’m going to give you a proclamation.”

Magnifico chuckled.