Veterans Sailing - "The Last Patrol"

Pelican Bend, Johnson Bay, Isles of Capri. My harbor the last 30 years. Sailed out of the marina next door with Mom and Dad in the '90s. Sailed from this marina since 2010. Vera helped me get up to 250 charters a year from here. "Mystic" our boat is the sailboat on the right. Only sail in the marina. Beautiful views, delicious food, The Cooper family and staff are great hosts at "the Bend"--> "Most mysterious calling harbour...So far but yet so near....I can see the day when my hair's full gray...and I finally disappear" - Jimmy Buffet, "One Particular Harbor"

Friendly parking reminder 🚗

Please park in designated parking spots only. Kindly avoid parking on the sidewalk, in neighbors’ yards, or in areas with “No Parking” signs.

Making sure these spots are clear helps with safety and keeps our neighbors smiling. Thanks for helping out. We can’t wait to see you!

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Cap'n Freckles & Captain Vera took Mystic to TigerTail Beach and scraped & scrubbed her hull, then a sweet sail in the Gulf of Mexico and her New Steering Chain & Cables performed in an outstanding manner! Fair Winds!

John Intile and Mark Ondrako both attended St. Bonaventure University and joined ROTC and were commissioned as Lieutenants and served on active duty. These SBU ROTC River Rats sailed the Marco River today with Cap'n Freckles! (also a SBU/ROTC vet). Fair winds brothers!!!

I met Larry, a 173rd Airborne Brigade Veteran at Costco yesterday. Shouted out "Airborne!" at him and we had a great talk. He told me about the "Streamer" and the "Mae West" parachute malfunctions he had at Jump school in 1966. I shared my experience with a "Streamer" malfunction at Normandy Drop Zone in '86. Larry, while bruised and shaken up at the drop zone at Ft. Benning was not hurt. He was soon deployed to a much less safer post: the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Gave Larry our Veterans Sailing card and asked him to text, call, email us and come on out on the Gulf with other Veterans. Larry, it was an honor meeting you and I look forward to sailing soon with you and your family! Airborne!!!

"I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear."
- Greg Lake, "I believe in Father Christmas"

Delayed plane in Detroit. Some folks were worried, some frustrated, some angry. Army veteran Wayne Hoey asked the crew if he could play his sax for the passengers to relax them. Captain gave his permission & the Veteran's initiative, caring & skill calmed all aboard. Thank you Wayne & "Charlie-Mike"!! (Continue the Mission!)😎🎄

Unexpected Holiday Cheer on Delayed Flight–Saved by a Sax On a delayed flight stuck in Atlanta, some unexpected holiday cheer broke out—and everyone joined in for the chorus, their holiday frustrations saved by sax ...

Yup. True memories of those days!!

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-Yoda

This poor lil' fella was injured, (leg)....we got the call and a gent I work with went and rescued him....now he's getting some care from an Animal Rescue organization. The gent who rescued him served multiple tours in Iraq as a Marine. I am a lucky dog to work with such great Americans. Semper Fi!