“These are the times that try men’s souls.” The winter of 1776 was a time of need in the colonies, considering Philadelphia and the entire rebel American cause were on the verge of death and the revolution was still viewed as an unsteady prospect. Thomas Paine wanted to enable the distraught patriots to stand, to persevere, and to fight for an American victory.
We now find ourselves in another time that tries our souls with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like Thomas Paine we all need to enable and encourage our members to persevere in this time of illness, death and uncertainty. We have many nationwide who are putting themselves at risk daily to ensure the public has the necessary assistance in health, medicines, food, and basic necessities. We need to stop and thank those essential workers of many different jobs who continue to provide for all of us.
I want to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to continue with your training, working with your Flotilla and Division shipmates to further our missions. Conduct conference calls, for training or fellowship, explore new ways of communicating and staying in touch with one another, and checking on the welfare of all. We are an “in person” organization, however current circumstances have dictated that we practice “social distancing”.
We need to use every avenue available to us to work through this. The world as we knew it before this pandemic may never be the same. We will, however return to our duties slowly but surely. That, in itself will help us to maintain some sense of normalcy while much around us may have changed.
I wish all of you, your families, and your members the very best. Stay home. Stay safe, and above all, Stay in touch!
Respectfully,
Bill Bowen
Bill Bowen
District Commodore
First Southern District
Respectfully,
Bill Bowen
Bill Bowen
District Commodore
First Southern District
District Commodore's Message