Patriot Cruise & Salute BBQ for Wounded Warriors

This last weekend I was blessed to provide the BBQ meal for a local event here in Virginia called the Patriot Cruise & Salute. My Team and I and the help of a handful of giving local folks chipped in and made it the very best BBQ we had ever made. Let me tell you just a little bit about it.

The Prince William Yacht Club does a great thing each year by busing down lots of Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. They come down on crutches and in wheelchairs with all kinds of terrible injuries from the wars. They have all brought with them their family or caregivers. Once at Prince William Marina they are paired up with boat captains of luxury boats for a day of cruising the Potomac River. This year I believe they took them up to see Historic Mount Vernon and Fort Washington before bringing them back to the Marina.

Once back we had hot Carolina Pulled Pork, Competition Chicken Thighs & Drums, Brats and some great cold Potato Salad and Cole Slaw and yes we had fantastic desserts ready for them too. With the help of my brother Steve & another Pitmaster named Dj Watkin, all of my family and a great group of volunteer we fed close to 400 or so and it was a joy to do.

What an honor it was to spend time enjoying BBQ and conversation with such amazing young folks. Their courage and sense of God and Country and Duty was restoring to this old Marines heart. They had all given so much and to only give them back BBQ was not enough so Handshakes, Hugs and Heartfelt Thank Yous was the General Order of the Day.

And go figure we had to get talking NASCAR with just about all the young guys and a couple gals. Seems even at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Dale Jr seemed to have the most fans next to Jeff Gordon. Just like "two ole boys'll do" we sit and just talk and listen and enjoy the day till it was time for them to go and head back to the Hospital.

I'll never forget the day and the Heroes I met and spent time with and know I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. One boy was the only Marine that came down with all the Army men and women and go figure he had the worst wounds. The Marine was a hero that had sacrificed most of both his arms and both of his legs saving others and all he wanted to do was heal and get back fighting. If that ain't a TRUE AMERICAN HERO I'll kiss yer ass.

Thanks to all the put this great event together and please invite us back again next year.
Oh-RAH!

http://patriotcruise.org/