PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Rev. Brian Flynn, bottom left, attended The Blessing of the Fleet at the Lynn Yacht Club to bless the boats and sailors for the boating season.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — Boating season kicked off with the blessing on Sunday.
The 56th annual Blessing of the Fleet honors those who have “passed over the bar” in the past year, a phrase referring to a sailor who has died, and to pray for safe passage for the boating season.
“We ask that the Lord protect all those who go out on these waters,” said Rev. Brian Flynn, of St. Mary’s Parish and Sacred Heart Church.
He said giving thanks was a lot easier than last year when it was raining during the ceremony and he expressed gratitude for the beautiful day and the gift of the ocean.
Rev. William Simpson, of the First Church Swampscott Congregational, offered prayers that the water be clean and a joy for all.
The ceremony also honored the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, by recognizing the veterans who are Lynn Yacht Club and Volunteer Yacht Club members. Of the 58 veterans who are members, 42 served in Vietnam.
Roger Comeau, a Vietnam veteran, was one of those recognized. The Lynn resident and member of the Lynn Yacht Club came for the ceremony.
“I’m a member down here anyway and I’m a proud veteran,” he said.
Bob Hunt, a Nahant resident, and member of the Volunteer Yacht Club, served as a Green Beret in Vietnam from 1968-69. He said it means a lot to be recognized, especially because that wasn’t the case when veterans returned home from the unpopular war.
“We did our service and we’re very proud of it,” Hunt said.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy could not attend. Her clerk, Patrick Cogan, read a proclamation declaring Vietnam Veterans Day in the city of Lynn.
“Lynn is proud of the sacrifices made by those from our city and all those who served with bravery and distinction in the Vietnam War, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kennedy wrote.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffrey Hollett, financial secretary of the Volunteer Yacht Club, said the freedoms enjoyed today as mariners would not exist if it weren’t for those who have fought bravely and served in the armed services.
“These veterans of today live amongst us in our neighborhoods, our communities, alongside us in the workplace, and are here today as guests and members of our clubs,” Hollett said. “As we pause here today to recognize their contributions to our freedoms and our way of life, we must never forget that freedom is not free.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.