Veterans Sailing - "The Last Patrol"

02/14/2026

Pelican Bend, Johnson Bay, Isles of Capri. My harbor the last 30 years. Sailed out of the marina next door with Mom and Dad in the '90s. Sailed from this marina since 2010. Vera helped me get up to 250 charters a year from here. "Mystic" our boat is the sailboat on the right. Only sail in the marina. Beautiful views, delicious food, The Cooper family and staff are great hosts at "the Bend"--> "Most mysterious calling harbour...So far but yet so near....I can see the day when my hair's full gray...and I finally disappear" - Jimmy Buffet, "One Particular Harbor"

Friendly parking reminder 🚗

Please park in designated parking spots only. Kindly avoid parking on the sidewalk, in neighbors’ yards, or in areas with “No Parking” signs.

Making sure these spots are clear helps with safety and keeps our neighbors smiling. Thanks for helping out. We can’t wait to see you!

02/14/2026

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07/25/2025

"I love forms beyond my own. And regret the borders between us.} - Loren Eiseley (FYI, some folks allege that they saw ol' Capt. Freckles himself (Sullivan), swimming behind his boat, S/V Into the Mystic yesterday. Capt. Freckles only comment: "I'm taking the Fifth. " Fair winds my friends!
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07/07/2025

I had to move Mystic over to the dock next to the chickee hut & parking lot (outboard was in my car). However, as the Jump NCOs used to say on the C-130 to check your buddy's chute ahead of you in line (and your own reserve chute strapped to your belly) they'd say: "If in doubt, there is no doubt." Well, I thought of their advice today when I saw a 350 pound Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Male chasin' Snook around our marina. Figured it was best to let him chow down on snook rather than mistake my leg for chow or just merely slap his tail at me. He went round & round for about 15 minutes. He moved on and I managed to get the outboard back on mystic's stern with some help from two captains from the Capri Fish House Marina. Check out Mr. Dolphin's maneuverability & agility!!

05/17/2025

Cap'n Freckles & Captain Vera took Mystic to TigerTail Beach and scraped & scrubbed her hull, then a sweet sail in the Gulf of Mexico and her New Steering Chain & Cables performed in an outstanding manner! Fair Winds!

03/31/2025

John Intile and Mark Ondrako both attended St. Bonaventure University and joined ROTC and were commissioned as Lieutenants and served on active duty. These SBU ROTC River Rats sailed the Marco River today with Cap'n Freckles! (also a SBU/ROTC vet). Fair winds brothers!!!

03/16/2025

I met Larry, a 173rd Airborne Brigade Veteran at Costco yesterday. Shouted out "Airborne!" at him and we had a great talk. He told me about the "Streamer" and the "Mae West" parachute malfunctions he had at Jump school in 1966. I shared my experience with a "Streamer" malfunction at Normandy Drop Zone in '86. Larry, while bruised and shaken up at the drop zone at Ft. Benning was not hurt. He was soon deployed to a much less safer post: the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Gave Larry our Veterans Sailing card and asked him to text, call, email us and come on out on the Gulf with other Veterans. Larry, it was an honor meeting you and I look forward to sailing soon with you and your family! Airborne!!!

01/02/2025

"I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear."
- Greg Lake, "I believe in Father Christmas"

12/22/2024

Delayed plane in Detroit. Some folks were worried, some frustrated, some angry. Army veteran Wayne Hoey asked the crew if he could play his sax for the passengers to relax them. Captain gave his permission & the Veteran's initiative, caring & skill calmed all aboard. Thank you Wayne & "Charlie-Mike"!! (Continue the Mission!)😎🎄

On a delayed flight stuck in Atlanta, some unexpected holiday cheer broke out—and everyone joined in for the chorus, their holiday frustrations saved by sax ...

12/22/2024

Yup. True memories of those days!!

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-Yoda

12/22/2024

Vera, Brady, Lisa & Hamish toured Windsor Castle yesterday. Amazing history & muskets, cannon & swords. Highlight for this old Soldier was seeing this NCO inspecting the troops & marching one of them over to relieve a guard. Both my Grandfather & Father fought alongside British units in two wars & they both told me of the British Soldiers' toughness & valor. Wonderful day at Windsor. Thank you Hamish McGregor for taking this Yank & his wife there!!😎🇺🇸🇬🇧

12/13/2024

This poor lil' fella was injured, (leg)....we got the call and a gent I work with went and rescued him....now he's getting some care from an Animal Rescue organization. The gent who rescued him served multiple tours in Iraq as a Marine. I am a lucky dog to work with such great Americans. Semper Fi!