What a day at FLOAT A SOLDIER LOOKS LIKE
Operation Float a Soldier
August 25th 2007 - Newsletter
Operation Float a Soldier (O.F.A.S.) supports weekend outings at Canyon Lake, TX for our troops W.I.A. and recovering from their injuries at the Center for the Intrepid, Beech Army Medical Center, Ft Sam Houston, TX. During the 2007 boating season, O.F.A.S. had been rained-out four consecutive times. The weekend of August 25th, despite Canyon Lake being in flood-stage (12 ft above normal pool) we were determined to get these young heroes out of their hospital for a day and away from their recuperative therapy regimen. With the help of fellow Americans like you, O.F.A.S. accomplished our mission. Hoorah!
Saturday, August 25th 2007 activities included:
12 volunteer boats & crew with O.F.A.S. gather at Crain’s Mill Marina on Saturday morning for the Captain’s safety briefing
‘Meet & Greet’ in the shade of a Live Oak tree (soldiers & boat captains) along with an opening prayer for a safe & memorable weekend
15 W.I.A. soldiers (plus a few wives & their kids) arrive at Canyon Lake by OIF – OEF post shuttle-van from Ft Sam Houston
Assignment of soldiers to O.F.A.S. boats at Crain’s Mill Marina
The O.F.A.S. volunteer flotilla tours Canyon Lake
BBQ brisket buffet at the Hill Country Yacht Club. Facility donated by the H.C.Y.C., meats donated by Granzin's Meat Market of New Braunfels, TX
Fishing from ‘E-Wing’, courtesy of Canyon Lake Marina
Soldiers and family enjoy swimming in the clear 85o water by Canyon Dam
A dozen fishing rods, gear & bait were purchased from funds donated to O.F.A.S.. Pontoon boats provide a roll-on/roll-off A.D.A. capability for wheel chairs
Several jet-skies were donated for the use of WIA soldiers and their families. This was the run-away favorite activity for our ambulatory soldiers!
Saturday afternoon ended on private lake-front property donated for O.F.A.S. use by Bill & Merna George: Shade tents, soft-drinks (alcohol free) snacks, swimming, wading, floating, jet-skies, fellowship and just good ol’ Texas relaxation
W.I.A. soldiers, family and O.F.A.S. volunteer group photo
Captains conduct a sunset debriefing of Operation Float a Soldier at Canyon Lake marina
The August 25th 2007 O.F.A.S. was a great success. The soldiers were both happy and grateful for our O.F.A.S. volunteers, donated goods & donated services. They went back to BAMC and talked-up our fall O.F.A.S., scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2007 and returning with their fellow W.I.A. American Patriots.
Although some of the soldiers had serious injuries, there was no self-pity in the O.F.A.S. group …their attitudes are quite positive towards their present circumstances and their future opportunities. Their faith, family and country sustain them.
Our soldiers make us proud to be Americans!
