

April 2018
37
boatingonthehudson.com
Dutchess
County
Veterans
Offered
Third Annual
Boat Ride
W
e would like to announce the dates for the 3rd Annual Boat
Rides for Dutchess County Veterans. This year the ride followed
by a picnic lunch is scheduled for June 9, 2018, originating from
White’s Marina in New Hamburg, NY. The rain date is June 16,
2017. Over the last two years, the number of veterans we were able
to accommodate has grown from 20 vets in 2016, to 40 vets in 2017
and our goal is to take 50 vets out on boats this year.
Interested Veterans can participate by contacting the Dutchess
County Office of Veterans Services. Veterans can expect to arrive
around 10:30 am to coffee and doughnuts donated by Dunkin
Donuts. A small service will be held that includes a bagpiper whom
plays songs that represent every branch of the military, the singing
of the national anthem, a prayer dedicated to the fallen, active
and retired members of the military, a flag raising ceremony, boat
assignments, boat rides to west point, a picnic lunch and free raffle
giveaways during the picnic lunch. Please let the representative of
the Dutchess County Office of Veteran Services know if you need
special accommodations such as availability to a restroom while out
on the boat ride because many of the smaller boats do not have
such accommodations, and you will be assigned to a larger boat
that meets your needs.
Following the boat ride is a picnic lunch. Many local businesses
donated financial support or food that include ShopRite, Rainbow
Pools, FleetFeet, My Brother Bobby’s Salsa, The Sons of Italy
(Joe DiMaggio Lodge #2248) and Dan Gallager. Decorations were
donated by Party City. Any business that would like to participate by
donating items or money can contact George Mann at JACKRR42@
AOL.COM or Leslie Spencer at
res12dive@gmail.com. Thank you
in advance for those who help us out.
Thank you to those who serve our country.
by
Leslie Spencer