The sailing community takes pride in honoring veterans through sailing; it's our privilege to provide veterans and active troops with access to the water. Boat captains and kayak guides tell us they experience a deep satisfaction and sometimes life-changing moments while hosting veterans onboard their vessels.
There are many excellent sailing and boating programs for veterans around the Bay and ways to get involved this Veterans Day or any other day of the year. Programs need volunteer captains and boats, people to serve and set up meals, and sponsors to donate financially or in-kind. Many programs also engage military family members.
This year, November 11 falls on a Saturday. From Annapolis to Norfolk—including up the Potomac—there is an abundance of veterans living in our region, so it should be easy to stop and say “thank you for your service” in person.
World War I fighting ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year in 1918. A year later, the day became known as Armistice Day and was meant as a day to honor World War I veterans, and 20 years later, it became a legal holiday in the United States. Following World War II and the Korean conflict, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day to include Americans who served in all wars.
Here are a few of the important programs offered in our area:
The Warrior Sailing Program Basic Training Camp (which recently took place in Annapolis) introduces sailing skills to wounded, ill, and injured service members. In a fun but intense three-day camp, teammates are taught how to manage a boat on the water.
The Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta, which unfolds in spring and fall in Annapolis, is a partnership among several organizations that offer programs for veterans: the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, Valhalla Sailing Project, Connected Warriors, and Warrior Events.
U.S. Patriot Sailing is a competitive racing team program for wounded and combat veterans.
Did we miss a veteran sailing program? Email [email protected], and we’ll share it with our readers. Find fishing-related warrior activities at proptalk.com and fishtalkmag.com.
