Veterans To Sail Long Island Sound To Raise PTSD Awareness

CENTERPORT, NY — SailAhead's 6th Annual "Let's Take a Veteran Sailing" event is set for July 31. Centerport Yacht Club will host the event, which is meant to raise awareness of veterans dealing with PTSD, according to a news release.

For the last two years, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented SailAhead from getting veterans out on the water, but this year, the organization is slated to resume the event.

More than 100 veterans, mostly from Long Island, will participate as guests on a fleet of at least 30 volunteer sailboats, their skippers and crew. The day's activities are set to begin at noon at Centerport Yacht Club with the opening ceremony hosted by CYC Past Commodore Thom Hering.

SailAhead's focus is to help veterans suffering from PTSD and other related disorders.

"We believe involving them with our activities on the water will lead to their mental well-being and prevent suicides ... primarily taking them sailing is how we do it!" SailAhead's co-founder, Sean Duclay, said.

At about 12:30 p.m., the fun begins with the veteran guests boarding the all-volunteer fleet of boats for the "Let's Take a Veteran Sailing" afternoon sail. Volunteer Cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will be on hand to assist the veterans. The fleet will be accompanied by escort vessels from the U. S. Coast Guard Eaton's Neck Station, Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau and the Huntington & Northport Harbor Police.

Two helicopters will be overhead providing video coverage.

After sailing for a few hours on Long Island Sound, they'll return to a barbecue, courtesy of Centerport Yacht Club, Arizona Beverages & Ralph's Italian Ices. Music will be provided by the Absolut Acoustic Duet with Joe Gelish on keys and Tara Visconti on vocals both of whom donated their services.

Sean's brother and fellow SailAhead co-founder, Kilian Duclay, says they're proud to announce that this year's SailAhead event will be honoring SPC Ryan James Day, an Army Ranger from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Army Regiment (along with all their Mates). Day died by suicide at 21 years old, on Dec. 15, 2014.

SailAhead was founded in 2015 by Kilian & Sean Duclay, who were then 16 & 14-year-old teenagers. In May 2016, SailAhead became a not-for-profit IRS-approved charity (501c-3) that aims to use sailing and the ocean as a therapeutic platform to help heal veterans who suffer from PTSD, raise awareness of PTSD and veteran suicide, as well as honor those who have taken their lives.

For more information about SailAhead and their activities, you may visit the SailAhead website.