SSSS will host Soldiers and families on the 8th of June 2019 for a sail on Budd Inlet followed by a BBQ at the Swantown picnic area near the boat launch.
But Wait! Some background information about this wonderful event!
In 2011 some South Sound Sailing Society members were asking what the club could do to recognize and help our soldiers whom had been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We recognized that we were much too old to reload that rifle or fly that gunship again, but a Navy vets wife said: Let’s take them out sailing! After some discussion, the board approved concept and allowed the committee to suggest an event to honor our service men and women.
The committee decided to approach the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Fort Lewis. In 2011 Iraq and Afghanistan were very active theaters of battle. Our uniformed members were returning form the battlefield with numerous wounds. The Army created the Warrior Transition Battalion concept, a unit that attempts to prepare the individual for a continued career in the Army or a life in the civilian world. There were 500 wounded soldiers stationed at Fort Lewis in the Battalion and another 300 wounded at a sub-unit in Sacramento. A recreational program was part of the healing process and that is where we could assist with our sailing skills.
The committee had several meetings with the Battalion staff. We invited Command Sergeant Major Amin Arreola attend our monthly SSSS meeting. He explained how the Family and Assistance Center of the Wounded Warrior Battalion helps the individual overcome the physical, emotional, family, career, social and spirituality scars that have occurred while serving our country. That presentation by the Command Sergeant Major was emotional and you could hear a pin drop in the OYC clubhouse.
Our first event was on July 14th, 2012. The weather was wonderful and the soldiers as well as the SSSS members were apprehensive but anticipating the event. One could tell that we were hosting soldiers whom had been in combat. There were physical scars as well as mental issues. The skippers handled the event in a respectful and cheerful manner. The soldiers appreciated that others were recognizing and caring for them. The BBQ and wonderful food that the committee prepared was much appreciated also! “Hooah! This is much better than MREs!” (MREs=Meals Ready to Eat, and also known by the grunts as Meals Rejected by Ethiopians.)
As the years progressed, the number of wounded warriors declined, thank goodness! The event became accepted by more sailors who had heard how rewarding it was to serve those who had served us and our country. The name was also change from Wounded Warrior Sailing to Soldier Sailing. In 2017 there were no wounded warriors to participate. What a wonderful situation report! The event was postponed until 2018. The event is now open to all soldiers and their families and is coordinated by the Outdoor Moral Welfare office at JBLM.
So, back to this year, 8 June 2019! Skippers will be contacted to see if they wish to volunteer their boat to take soldiers and families for a sail on Budd Inlet. Details of reporting times and number of guests aboard will be provided by our Chairs, Maria and Bryon!
Maria Chiechi and Bryon Dahl
SV Cosmic Dancer
Soldier Sailing Committee Chairs
2019 Soldier Sailing
Ahoy Skippers & Volunteers!
The planning is going forward for the 2019 Soldier Sail scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2019. We are reaching out to those of you who have participated in the past and to those of you who we hope will volunteer to join us this year.
If you participated in the past, we have included the details for you from last year and would like you to confirm your participation this year and if anything has changed. If you have not participated in the past and would like to this year, please reply to us with answers to the questions listed below:
- Name:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Name of Boat:
- # of passengers:
- Swantown slip #:
- Wish to help crew the BBQ:
Details for the day of Event:
- 1030 – Skipper Meeting in grass near entrance to B & C docks
- 1030 – Volunteer Meeting near Registration Table
- 1100 – Registration Opens (Skippers or representative present to accept soldiers, i.e. stay close to registration table)
- 1200 – Boats leave the dock
- 1630 – Boats return (Swantown boats to stay in their slips – all other boats meet at guest dock)
Skippers are responsible for life vests; we will have limited numbers of extra life vests, soldiers to check with skipper first.
Please reply to let us know you are willing and able to volunteer and participate on Saturday, June 8, 2019 and we will follow up accordingly.
Thank you,
Maria Chiechi
isrolive62@gmail or 360.701.5705 2019
Soldier Sail Committee