Community Boathouse Serves Our Veterans

By Katie McFadden

They served those who served for us. In their first outing of the season, Community Boathouse paid it forward to those who have given so much for the country. On Friday, June 13, they welcomed veterans from the Brooklyn VA for a peaceful day of kayaking on Jamaica Bay.

As they did last year, Community Boathouse welcomed back the Brooklyn VA veterans for their program at Vernam Barbadoes Preserve off on Amstel Blvd. on Friday. Brooklyn VA recreational therapist, Lydia, and Bernadette O Callaghan of Community Boathouse coordinated to give the veterans a day of fun, respite and healing. About 28 veterans signed up for the outing with 10 generous volunteers signing up to help make the day a success. Some of the veterans were repeat visitors wanting to give kayaking another go, while 70% were first timers.

O Callaghan and her volunteers, like Dr. Harold Paez, prepped the space to make it welcoming for their guests and even added some patriotic decorations to the launch ramp as an added welcome. She then led a quick lesson about safety and how to handle the paddle, before the volunteers took the veterans out into Jamaica Bay for a relaxing morning paddle session. The veterans were able to observe shorebirds and even horseshoe crabs mating. And as they made their way back to Vernam Barbadoes with smiles from ear to ear, they were in for another special treat as O Callaghan had called Ari Kostaras, Mister Softee himself, to serve up whatever sweet treat the veterans wanted. “Ari treated everyone so well,” O Callaghan said.

While O Callaghan says the veterans had a good time, she says she and the Community Boathouse volunteers got even more out of the day. “These veterans did so much for us, and I wanted to do something for them. But I think I got more out of it than they did. They do a lot of these outings to a lot of different places, but I got pure joy and satisfaction out of the day,” O Callaghan said. “It was spectacular!”

The veterans may return for another outing with Community Boathouse later this summer. However, the public is welcome to join their free kayaking programs at any time. Their public paddles begin Saturday, June 28 at Vernam Barbadoes Preserve (75-50 Amstel Blvd.). For more information, a full schedule and to register, head to: www.communityboathouse.org. Donations and volunteers are also always welcome!

Photos by Lucy Prieto and Bernadette O Callaghan.