Winter of 2008

• Surface Navy Association Symposium (SNA), Washington, DC, January 15-17. USNSF participated for the 4th year in the SNA Symposium. Our thanks to SNA for allowing us to share our mission with members and Corporate sponsors at this event. We would also like to thanks BAE Systems and Booz Allen Hamilton who were sponsors for theVets on the Bay events in 2007.

• Norfolk Naval Sailing Association (NNSA) and Navy Sailing met in late January to discuss expansion of the VOB project to the Norfolk area.

• Look for the date for the Vets on the Bay volunteers meeting for volunteers who wish to help with the 2008 Vets on the Bay project. Our thanks to all the volunteers who made the VOB project successful during the boating season of 2007.

Volunteers were trained to help with this special project which was designed as a relaxing day on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, for wounded military personnel and their families. The participants in the two events in 2007 were returning from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of the participants suffered traumatic brain injury and required special consideration while they were healing. This included a well planned day of quiet recreational activity with supportive volunteers who guarded their privacy, provided wonderful food and welcomed them back to our grateful country.

• The winter Newsletter will be online. Expect an email soon to let you know that the newsletter is online for your review. Members who specifically requested a paper copy will receive one in the mail.

• Harborfest, Norfolk. Navy Sailing will be meeting in Norfolk to discuss participation in the Harborfest celebration in the spring.

Spring Events

• The USNSA Yearbook is being updated and will be available on line or on disc for USNSA members in the Members Only section. Our membership is an active and mobile group. So, we ask all of you to please check your information online. Corrections and changes may be sent by email to usnsa@usna.edu.

• Vets on the Bay 2008 will have it first event of the season in mid May. Navy Sailing hopes to increase the number of events this year and to expand to the Norfolk area. This project is dependent on donations from individuals and sponsors. Donations can be made through Pay Pal on this site. A tax deductible donation may be made through the US Naval Sailing Foundation or the Vets on the Bay website.

• The date for the All Services Single-handed Sailing Championship held in conjunction with the US Naval Sailing Academy is to be determined. The winner of this event that is held annually will be the military repersesntative in the National Single-handed Championship in August. The “All Services” is open to all active duty military personnel, reserve, National Guard and Coast Guard personnel.