Boat rides for vets

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mannmade

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Rather than continue to hi-jack the "very sad news" thread information for giving back to our vets should have its own special place. So this will be it.

Thank you for the positive comments so far. I contacted my son and he will work on getting me a contact person within the Veterans Administration. Before anyone poses the "insurance" question know I am working on what kind of rider can be obtained for the day. My worst case scenario is "they didn't ask for any guarantees when they defended our way of life, I'll roll the dice for a ride on the river." It's not like I haven't done that before with friends.

I know it is early but planning takes time. Better to start and get it right than rush at the last minute and wind up with a futile mess. Besides a club or marina to leave from, begin thinking about contributions of food/soda/water.

The date will be Saturday, May 24, 2008 - Memorial Day will be celebrated on Monday the 26th.

Thanks again for getting on board with this....G
 
As stated, I have an uncle who has been heavily involved in activities for the wounded warrior project. I'll reach out to him and ask for ideas and advice.
 
George, don't worry about a place, I'm sure I can get the CYC as long as the docks are in (usually by mid May). My only concern is our guest docking is limited...but that shouldn't be much of a problem.
 
George, I spoke with the current rear and vice commodores...these guys should be commodore and vice next year. They both thought it was a great idea and offered the club. One is even a vet and has worked with public relations in the Pentagon. Ask Bashon if he knows Ray Clifford of "Salute America's Heros"

Chris.
 
OK, the ball is started. Spoke with someone in recreation at Castle Point, she also works out of Montrose. Apparently the patients at Castle Point are mostly wheel chair bound, so for safety reasons they are saying we need to focus on residents at Montrose. They appreciate the offer and we will begin to coordinate after Thanksgiving. They were also appreciative of the early start to organize, i.e. they are booked every weekend summer of 2008 for picnics at Castle Point, this is the time to get ready!

They will provide transportation to either Croton and/or New Hamburg, we just need to get commitments from boaters. I will get a ballpark number on participants (vets) when I speak next with VA personnel.

Can you give me some feedback on this: sending a letter to businesses in the Hudson Valley who might be interested in donating soda/water/juices and some sort of snak packs for them to have while out on the water. I am also open to a "meeting" after the new year for further discussion of the event. Thanks again for your ongoing suport.....George
 
mannmade, We went to Castle Point with one of the 2 Mustang clubs I belong to. Yes, those Vets are a mostly wheelchair bond.
Check you're personal e mail. Maybe we can pick them up and give them a ride to the boats?
 
George, it may be worth getting a non-profit to join in. With a statement on their letterhead stating the goals of the event, merchants might be more responsive.
Thanks for your efforts.
 
George,

The Caryl-D is in as long as we can get her into the marina. Steven has also offered his go fast as well. He said he may have another friend or 2 that may be able to bring there boats as well if the interest is there...

There is nothing to good for our Vets and we would be honored to offer our boats for a day of there enjoyment....
 
Time to go to Plan -B, didn't think we would need it quite so soon. I spoke with a gentleman from Montrose VA Hospital today and he basically said if they can't all go on one boat then they cannot do it. I told him these were pleasure boaters trying to give a little back and he said he had to be available if anything were to happen to someone. Could he have thought I was running a cruise ship?!

Therefore, we need to come up with a source of vets if we want to move forward. My thought is to make a couple of contacts and keep the numbers under control. There are VFW's and a couple of Marine support groups we can start with. I will wait to hear what the feedback is here before doing anything else. If you want to meet for dinner and discussion after the New Year that is good too.
 
I'll reach out to my uncle who has been involved in the wounded warriors project. This may be a good avenue for us. Probably will be able to speak with him this weekend. Will advise when I have something further.
 
I will check with West Point (my alma mater) to see if there is a way that this can get done.
 
Gee, George, this is quite an undertaking! I wish you luck with it. If you get this thing off the ground, I can let you have a table at my boat show in Feb in order to promote it if you'd like. Also I can get you a credential so you can roam around and approach people. Its a very worthy cause - without these guys we wouldn't be able to enjoy our own boating lifestyle...
 
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