St. John is fortunate to have a group of extremely important guests on island, and we want you all to know about it. Yesterday I got a text from Tom Larson, captain of the Sadie Sea. He mentioned how Team River Runner was arriving on island Sunday afternoon and asked if I wanted to take a ride over to Red Hook to pick them up. Immediately I responded and said absolutely. For those of you unaware of what Team River Runner is, it’s an organization that invites disabled and wounded veterans and their families to participate in adaptive paddling activities so they can embrace new challenges while invoking leadership and promoting camaraderie. Each year, due to the efforts of Tom Larson, Team River Runner brings a group of veterans to the island in November for a week of rest, relaxation and paddling. St. John held a fundraiser last summer to bring these vets to the island. The Chaotic Kayak Race raised more than $57,000 that day. Simply amazing. Yesterday we picked up 17 men and women. I believe five more are expected to arrive today. These men and women are extraordinary, courageous and very cool to hang out with. Ranging in age from their early twenties to their fifties, these men and women have given up a lot to serve our country. As a result, two men are blind and several are missing limbs … why? For us. So please show them your thanks this week if you see them. For those of you who would like to thank them in person, as I know I will be all week, you can meet them at The Beach Bar Wednesday night around 5 p.m., at Skinny Legs Friday night around 5 p.m. or on Saturday at 1 p.m. at a picnic hosted by the American Legion in Coral Bay.
News of St. John would like to thank Ocean Grill, St. John Brewers, Barefoot Cowboy Lounge, Arawak, VI Ecotours, The Beach Bar and Joe’s Rum Hut for providing food, beverages and activities to Team River Runner during their stay.
Welcome dinner donated by Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
