By Kathy Onorato
The Nellie G, taking part in the 2014 Veterans’ Cruise Sept. 4 makes its way past McFarland Island in Boothbay Harbor. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
With the help of local lobstermen, business owners, volunteers, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and his wife, veterans enjoyed picture-perfect weather for a cruise around Boothbay Harbor Sept. 4.
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Vietnam veteran Berdie Keller of Boothbay Harbor returns from a cruise aboard the Nellie G Sept. 4. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
Sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s greeted nearly 60 people who took the opportunity to cruise around Boothbay Harbor, an event started by Jim Henderson, who thought veterans would enjoy a day on the water.
Henderson and his wife, Sylvia Jenkins, live in the Boston area and come to Maine by sailboat during the summer months. Inspired by a trip on the water with their son, who uses a wheelchair, they thought a day on the water would help lift the spirits of veterans, some of whom live with mental and physical disabilities.
They said they managed to get their son and his wheelchair on the sailboat and noticed how happy the trip made their son and thought veterans would enjoy a day on the water.
“All I really needed was a pool of veterans and willing boat owners. I got both,” Henderson said.
Henderson said people with disabilities can do anything, but they need to be given the opportunity.
“They don’t have to give up everything,” he said.
Because lobstermen are hardworking and many are veterans themselves or have children in the service, they were very receptive to helping the cause, Henderson said.
In all, 10 boats offered services to the nearly 60 people, which included the spouses and caregivers of the veterans.
The following local boat owners donated the use of their boats for the event: Bruce White, HayVal; Larry Knapp, Lady Esther; Mark Stover, RedHook; George McEvoy, Nellie G II and Northern Ranger; Cory Pottle, Patricia Sue II; Ryan Casey, Northern Lights; Doug Goldhirch, Avelinda; Billy Hallinan, Apparition II; and Rusty Court, Casey Ann.
The only glitch of the day was the engine failure of Stover’s Red Hook. It had about a half-dozen passengers on board that had to be transported to two other boats.
The night before, Kaler’s Restaurant hosted a captains meeting where the logistics were worked out, Jenkins said. Captains discussed the route of the cruise, docking procedure, and boarding passengers, and were made aware of some fragility of some of their passengers.
Veterans enjoyed a 2 1/2-hour cruise, which featured a trip to Spruce Point and Linekin Bay.
Coming off the Nellie G, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Berdie Keller said, “The trip was most enjoyable.”
Keller, of Boothbay Harbor, served two tours in Vietnam between 1961-1966. He said he was a former commercial fisherman and hadn’t been on the water for nearly 20 years.
Local veterans from American Legion Post 36, as well as veterans from the Togus VA and Veterans Adaptive Sports in New Gloucester took part in the event.
Frank Nicoletta, of American Post 36, also a Vietnam veteran, said he didn’t expect the cruise to be so extensive.
“I am just overwhelmed by the cruise,” Nicoletta said.
Following the cruise, a cookout was held on the deck of the Tugboat Inn. Manning one of the grills was Boothbay Harbor Harbor Master Nick Upham, who said there were no problems in the harbor. The captains of the boats used for the cruise are accustomed to maneuvering in the harbor and pulling into the crowded docks, he said.
“Everything went fantastic. It was well-organized. Everyone seems happy right now,” Upham said after the cruise.
Henderson said he is grateful for the support of the community and the local businesses for their contributions to make the event so successful.
Andrew’s Harborside, Baker’s Way, Red Cup, Blue Moon Café, Ebbtide, Robert’s Popcorn, Oliver’s, China By the Sea, Thistle Inn, McSeagull’s, Kaler’s T-Shirts by the Bay, Shaw’s Supermarket, Fisherman’s Wharf, Janson’s Clothing, Tugboat Inn, Larrabee Agency, Harbor Embroidery, and the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce all contributed to the success of the event, Henderson said.
“People have been so wonderful,” Henderson said.
Henderson said Maine people have a great respect for veterans and are always willing to support them.
“So many people found this to be an important thing,” he said.
