On Thursday, Sept. 4, Jim Henderson and a team of boat owners and local lobstermen are holding a cruise around the harbor for veterans with disabilities. The cruise will conclude with a cookout on the Tugboat Inn deck, which has offered the use of its marina.

Henderson and his wife Sylvia Jenkins keep their sailboat moored at Tugboat. Their son John was in an accident several years ago, leaving him bound to a wheelchair. Last summer, the family went sailing together.

“While it was an ordeal getting him on the boat, it was certainly possible, and it was wonderful for him to know that he could do it,” Henderson said.

The couple was looking around the docks and saw a huge number of boats and began to think about getting disabled veterans out on the water, to give them the same experience. Henderson spoke to a few of the pleasure boat owners, and though some couldn't be involved, others were more than willing. The response from locals was “amazing,” Henderson said.

“Many of them are either vets themselves or have kids that are vets,” he said.

Captain Bruce White of HayVal is one of the charter boats joining the cruise.

“Jim asked me and veterans and wounded veterans are special people,” White said. “They deserve our thanks and if there's anything I can do for them I want to. They are a wonderful example.”

Other boats and captains involved are Larry Knapp, Lady Esther; Mark Stover, Red Hook; George McEvoy, Nellie G II and Northern Ranger; Corey Pottle, Patricia Sue II, Ryan Casey, Northern Lights, Billy Sherman, The Quest; and Billy Hallinan, Apparition II.

The current plan, according to Henderson, is to have everyone meet at Tugboat around 9:30 a.m. to register and have coffee, muffins, and donuts generously donated by Tugboat Inn, Blue Moon Cafe, Red Cup Coffeehouse, Baker’s Way, and Ebb Tide.

Around 10 a.m. the cruise will begin, taking a route through the swing bridge, across the Sheepscot, and around MacMahan Island before returning to Tugboat and having their cookout.

Forty-three veterans are currently signed up to go, including veterans from Togus VA and from the VAST Program, (Veterans Adaptive Sports in New Gloucester). Spots are still available but space is limited.

“I have to cap it around 60 people because I want make sure everyone gets fed before they return. It will be a long day for many of them,” Henderson said.

Right now, Henderson is seeking sponsors for the event. He needs volunteers to help with the cookout, and either food or money to buy food for the 60 veterans and staff.

“Since I'm not a nonprofit, I don't qualify for funding from places like Hannaford or Rite Aid, so I'm seeking help from locals and local businesses,” Henderson said.

Harbor Embroidery has offered to embroider T-shirts for everyone for the event. Henderson is also looking for a sponsor who will buy the shirts.

For more information or to donate, contact Henderson at jim@jimhendersonsculpture.com or 781-267-5159.