BWYC Family and Friends

Re Hank & Joan's posting - Hank, please call the thing you built in 1987 a "FLAG MAST" rather than a "flag pole" - the former is much more dignified. To the members, Hank Renken built that flag mast in 1987, the year I was Commodore of the extraordinary BWYC. Hank made the statement that the mast would still be standing even if everything else was destroyed in a storm, and eighteen years later he has been proven to be correct. He also said the mast would be standing long after he is no longer with us - hope we don't have to score that one for a long time. The flag that is flying on the mast at the moment was raised by Gilly I believe on Tuesday after Katrina - Malin, Gilly, and yours truly went down to the club grounds - Gilly found the flag lying somewhere down there and raised it on the starboard yard of "Hank's Mast", using one of the few haylards left. I watched him raise the flag - I don't know what he was thinking, but I considered it an act of respect, defiance and optimism.

After this devastating tragedy, a BWYC team won the United States Men's Sailing Championship, with the BWYC gone, and with whatever personal losses the members of the team had suffered. This was a magnificent effort, and an important statement on many levels.

We are all dealing with many things, economics and family being big ones - but let's not forget how important the BWYC is to us and the community, and how the BWYC can, and indeed will, serve as a magnate and rallying point. This itsy-bitsy club in south Mississippi that has accomplished so much and is nationally recognized cannot be allowed to succumb to this.

I know that the Flag Officers & Board are committed to keeping the BWYC going, and all members will need to make an effort to keep the special spirit of this organization alive and well.

Walter Chamberalain