Boarman National USPS Youth Poster Contest

The following posters took 1^st place in their respective age categories:

Ages 6 – 8 -- 1st Place: Kaleb Nichols, New River, D/27

Ages 9 -11 -- 1st Place: Troy Helms, Grand Lake, D/31

Ages 12 – 14 -- 1st Place: Hannah Rogers, Northern Neck, D/5

USPS Presents Awards in Norfolk

Since everyone could not attend the Fall Governing Board in Norfolk, VA we have tried to capture some of the recognition awards which were presented. This was done using both video and still photos. While it is by no means complete, you may recognize someone from your squadron or district receiving recognition for the untiring work our members perform.

Enjoy.

Marketing/Public Relations Awards Video

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Youth Poster Awards Video

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Marketing/Public Relations Awards Photos

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Membership Growth Awards Photos

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Photos:
P/D/C Lou Loth
P/Stf/C Trudy Brown
Videos:
Cdr William Smith

National Preparedness Month – September 2007

This month is National Preparedness Month, a time to pay acute attention to planning for a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency.

Your planning should include reacquainting yourself with the U.S. Coast Guard’s “America’s Waterway Watch” program and our own USPS program, “Waterway Awareness.“ Your preparation, particularly for USPS members in the Gulf states and along the eastern seaboard, should also include a hurricane evacuation plan for you, your family and your boat.

Focus on the month of September to familiarize yourself with the many possible threats to you and your loved ones. Most important, plan significant steps you can take to minimize those potential dangers. You can take immediate action to ensure your safety by availing yourself of a most worthwhile online resource, www.ready.gov. A handy Emergency Supply Kit is also available for downloading.

Take the time to draft your plan – or update it if you already have one. The time to seek solutions to a devastating emergency is NOT when the emergency presents itself. A good precautionary start is reviewing www.ready.gov. Do it today.

This is a timely reminder from your Homeland Security team of the Government and Partner Relations Committee. Contact R/C William E. Husted, SN, if you’d like further information.

The Saga of the "Wooden Shoe," aka "Dreams of a Lifetime"

Some 40+ years ago, a group of young dreamers set out to go around the world in a “resurrected” 50-foot Dutch botter, one of only three in the United States at the time. Abandoned and lying at the bottom of a Long Island canal, the derelict vessel, built in 1890, was raised and spruced up for its new-maiden voyage.

A great idea for funding was thwarted when Heineken’s turned down our promotional pitch for us as Heineken’s elves passing through crowds handing out free beer at every port to the throngs of onlookers who had come to see this “one-of-a-kind ancient ship.”

We worked all summer, mostly recaulking the wooden decks. I myself was a Good Humor man who never sold any ice cream but gave it away while down at the boat every day. Once I took a fall overboard in my regalia which didn’t fare too well in the salt water, particularly the white hat and coin changer. Needless to say, I was fired from this job after the initial two-week accounting period. Instead of being rewarded with commissions, I wound up owing them money.

Finally, the motley crew of four 20-somethings set out from the Babylon Y.C. on their “voyage of a lifetime.” A short time afterward, the first entry was made in the log, “Engine failed in the Fire Island Inlet.” This was the first of many ominous entries that would be made. What could one expect from the old tub with a deck that was still leaking, a compass that was 30 degrees off, and no VHF radio aboard? This of course was all compounded by, I hate to admit, an ocean-inexperienced crew who’d had only bay-sailing races under its belt.

To minimize slippage we had only one leeboard that we had to haul up on a halyard and transfer to the other side of the vessel with every tack. Not exactly an America’s Cup timed event. But with a good following sea – she couldn’t point more than 60 degrees to windward - you could make a go of it and maybe peak out at four knots.

It took us two months to reach Norfolk. We stopped and partied in almost every city along the ICW throughout New Jersey and the Chesapeake. Two months to Norfolk? We could have walked 12 miles a day and made the same progress! In Norfolk we changed our objective from “around the world” to “maybe lucky to reach the Bahamas.” I left with another in North Carolina due to the slow pace. The remaining two picked up two non-sailors who promptly got sick in the ocean.

There are many other stories to tell but let’s fast forward to the grand finale. The “Wooden Shoe” sunk about 100 miles off Savannah with only two of the original Long Island crew aboard. As luck would have it, all hands were saved by a passing freighter. Not too many years later, I would join USPS!

Bill Husted