By Sadie Hunter
On July 8, Operation Set Sail will hit the water for an event aimed at honoring veterans, specifically local fallen hero Staff Sgt. Collin J. Bowen.
Bowen, who grew up in Marion, Ind., died March 14, 2008, after succumbing to injuries sustained from a January 2008 IED attach in Afghanistan.
The event invites all veterans and their families to the Indianapolis Sailing Club on Geist Reservoir, 11324 Fall Creek Rd., Indianapolis, to join Operation Set Sail for a 2 p.m. honoring of Bowen under its 150-foot cell tower flagpole. Food and entertainment will follow the ceremony.
At 3:30 p.m. a boat parade of sailboats and power boats will head down to the dam and back to the Indianapolis Sailing Club, followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m.
The schedule for the day is as follows:
- 2 p.m. – Arrival and parking. Guests should arrive early as parking is limited.
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Ceremony honoring Staff Sgt. Collin J. Bowen.
- 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Boat parade. This event will boast a display of more than 100 sailboats and a small parade of powerboats, which will sail to the dam and back.
- 4 to 9 p.m. – Live music. (DJ from 9 to 11:30 p.m.)
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Reception. Includes a formal U.S. flag retirement conducted by sea scouts.
- 6:30 p.m. – 22 Push-Up Awareness for Veteran Suicide. To learn more, visit 22kill.com.
- 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. – Dinner party and music.
For more, contact Bob Solomon at BobSolomon100@gmail.com, or call 317-694-1455.