Operation Vet Sail- A Salute at Sea

‘Operation Vet Sail- A Salute at Sea’ is a national initiative by the American Sailing Association and charter boat owners to honor our veterans that has been launched right here in South Mississippi.

Dwayne Russell has spent 22 years flying as a hurricane hunter and has put in nearly 28 total years serving in the United States Air Force. On Monday, he ventured out into new water, trading the controls in the cockpit for a steering wheel at the helm of a sail boat. “It’s different in many ways because it’s on the water but it’s similar in a lot of ways because the air is just another stream of fluid.”

Russell’s maiden voyage under the new veteran’s sailing initiative ‘Operation Vet Sail- A Salute at Sea’ is a program spearheaded by the American Sailing Association that aims to help our veterans with stress, PTSD or other physical ailments. It’s also designed just to help those who have served our country to let go and enjoy nature’s therapy on the water.

Fellow Air Force veteran and charter boat captain Jim King quickly jumped on board, taking veterans out for the program through his North Star Sailing Charters business perched in the Gulfport Harbor. “It’s all about the American Sailing Association, which is a large sailing association in the United States that provides sailing lessons. This year we are basically celebrating the year of the veteran, and we’re offering special deals for veterans to go sailing, to take sailing lessons.”

It’s an initiative that launched about a week ago and it will last until Veteran’s Day of next year. “This program for veterans by the American Sailing Association is just awesome for veterans, and it’s my opportunity to learn a new skill, to be accomplished at it, to gain confidence,” said Russell.

King said, “It’s a way to say thanks to the men and women who have served our country.”