LYNN – More than 160 turkeys and mouthwatering accoutrements were whipped up and doled out by George Markos and his crew at Brother’s Deli on Thanksgiving to ensure no one was hungry or alone.This year’s holiday marked Markos’ 17th year of dishing out piping hot meals to both those in need and those who simply want to share the day among others.”Thanksgiving is a time where everyone wants to be around friends and feel like they have a family again,” he said. “I’d always wanted to do something like this because my family raised me to give back to others, plus, I really enjoy doing it.”Markos said a line of hungry people started forming outside his restaurant around 8 a.m., and by noon, more than 1,000 plates of food had been served. He estimated that by day’s end that 2,000 plates would be dished out through the help of volunteers, his family and faithful employees.”To give something back to the people is the least that I can do,” he said. “It’s also the best feeling for me to walk around the restaurant and hug everybody and feel the love back.”Preparation for the big day began Wednesday morning, where tons of mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, gravy, and of course, turkey were whipped up. However, in the midst of his cooking haze, Markos almost forgot an important part of the meal – the dessert.”I thought, oh no, I forgot!” he laughed. “So I quickly made grape nut custard (on Thanksgiving morning). I’m telling you, I’m going to have the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life tonight.”One person who certainly appreciated Markos’ hard work is Vietnam veteran Richard Pustorino. With a heaping plate of food and a smile on his face, Pustorino eagerly buttered a roll as he prepared to dig into his feast.”I come here every year by myself and it’s just awesome,” he said. “It’s great to be out around other people and to see some who I might know and others that I’ve never seen before. I don’t get to see my family anymore, but at least I have this.”At a table nearby, old friends and Lynn residents Lloyd Hilton, June Tracy and Jeffrey Pascar gobbled up their meals as they enjoyed each other’s company and good spirits.”It’s nice to eat the dinner and not have to do any of the work!” Tracy quipped. “But it’s also nice to get everybody together and have a great dinner.”