DATE: 10 May 2012 VETERANS YACHT CLUB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
FIRST NEWSLETTER
Hello everyone. I am Craig Beck the Secretary for Veterans Yacht Club Association. It has been mentioned several times that VYCA should have a news letter that highlights what is going on in the club and things people are doing to support our veterans. So here is the first attempt at a newsletter, I am by no means a professional writer or editor, so please bear with me as I move forward in this endeavor.
I see this news letter as being informative, sharing of information and a means to get information out to a broader audience. One thing I personally would like to see is, every month have someone send in a short paragraph about themselves to share with the rest of the members. I’ll start:
Hello, I am Craig Beck, this is my second year with VYCA. I was born in Erie, PA in 1963. I attended Mercyhurst College and received a BA in Criminal Justice. After college, I joined the Army as a Counterintelligence Special Agent and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. I served a total of 22 plus years all on active duty and retired in 2008. I currently work for the Department of the Army at APG, MD. I have been married to my lovely wife for 17 years and she is the Fleet CPT for Galloway Yacht Club. I have one son who is currently on active duty in the Army at Ft Bliss, TX. We have been boating on the Chesapeake Bay now for 10 years, and absolutely love it. We currently own a 2003 Sea Ray 340 Sun Dancer named "Pili Lani" which means close to heaven in Hawaiian. So, if your ever out and about on the bay and see the Pili Lani docked somewhere, stop and say Hi.
SPRING YACHT CLUB OPENINGS
Tis, the season to put on the whites and join our fellow Yacht Clubs in celebrating their flag raising and opening of their cruising season. For those that have yet to attend an event…you should! These events are open to any member of a Yacht Club and are not just for officers. Many of these events are family friendly and offer a great time for all. The food is inexpensive and great, entertainment is always fantastic, and a fun time will be had by all. If you have never been to one, I suggest going to one this year. We are easy to spot, just look for the VYCA medallion around our necks and come join us. Come by sea or land…just come….
Here is a link to get list of the upcoming Openings and Flag Raisings:
http://www.cbyca.org/event_calendar.phpVYCA Bull and Oyster Roast
On 22 April 2012, VYCA had a Bull and Oyster roast at the Legion Post 38 in Dundalk. The event was a great success due to the efforts of Dan Carroll our entertainment officer. Everyone that attended had a great time. There was plenty of food, drink and music that made the afternoon extremely enjoyable. One of the highlights of the event was the auctioning off of the Quilts donated by Peace River Quilting Guild. Each quilt is to be donated to a disabled veteran with the name of the winning bidder embroidered on the quilt.
VYCA PATRIOT CRUISE & SALUTE
On 9 June 2012, VYCA will be supporting the 6th Annual Patriot Cruise and Salute honoring our wounded, injusred and ill service members and families. The event will be held at the Prince William Marina, Occoquan, Virginia from 1200-1800. If you would like to volunteer your boat or crew or just come help go to
www.pwyc.org and sign up. This is a great event that keeps growing every year. It is an opportunity to spend a day with the brave men and women that have absolutely sacrificed for us.VYCA COOKOUT
On 26 Jul 2012, VYCA will be having a cookout for the Disabled Veterans at the Lochraven VA Hospital, 3900 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21218. This is a great opportunity to spend the afternoon with and share a special time with some of our disabled veterans. VYCA will provide the food and camaraderie. Anyone wishing to volunteer please let us know. This has become an annual event for VYCA and is greatly appreciated by the hospital staff and the veterans that attend.
VYCA CRAB FEAST
VYCA is in the beginning stages of planning a Crab Feast. The feast is being planned for Mid-September on a Saturday. Location has yet to be determined. If you know of a place that can accommodate a 150 – 200 people that is preferably covered and relatively inexpensive, then please contact Dan Carroll.
Coast Guard Aux Safety Inspections
The Coast Guard Auxiliary every year offers courtesy safety inspections to ensure that your vessels has the required safety and emergency equipment on board as well as assist in safe operation of the vessel. These inspections are at no cost to the owner and just require a little coordination with the CG Auxillary. VYCA member and treasurer can be contacted if you wish to have a courtesy inspection of your vessel.
VYCA NEEDS YOU!!!!
VYCA would like to reach out to all its members and ask for assistance in identifying Veteran Organizations that require VYCA assistance. So, if you know of a veteran organization that needs something or is having an event that we can participate in, please contact myself or any of the officers of VYCA.
2012 VYCA OFFICERS
I would like to take this time to introduce our 2012 Bridge.
COMMODORE: Clint McLamb
VICE COMMODORE: John Vogel
REAR COMMODORE: Ron Lippa
FLEET CAPTAIN: Ken Mack
TREASURER: Joe Kalista
SECRETARY: Craig Beck
QUAL OFFICER: Jim Wilson
ENTERTAINMENT OFFICER: Dan Carroll
PROCUREMENT OFFICER: Fred Levitan
VYCA MONTHLY MEETINGS
For those that have not been to a meeting in awhile, we meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Red Eye Yacht Club, 2222 Poplar Rd, Baltimore, MD. The meeting starts at 1900 hrs however, Red Eye yacht Club has graciously been offering us a dinner at an inexpensive price and its awesome. The dinner starts at 1800 hrs.
The officers would love to have those that have not attended in awhile to come and join us, we have about a 100 members thus far but only a small number show up each month. Come join your fellow veterans..one team…one fight.
In closing I would like to have some feedback on this newsletter and items to be placed in it, articles that others can write etc. Please contact myself at
craig.a.beck.civ@mail.milThank you
Craig (VYCA Secretary)