Two U.S. military veterans are planning a race through the Chesapeake Bay this summer as part of an effort to promote mental health for veterans. Chad SeBour, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and the race organizer, and Eduardo Diaz Rico, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Pennsylvania, are training this week at the Slaughter Creek Marina. They plan to use the race to raise money for Patriot Point.

The John Smith Expedition Race begins June 2 with a kickoff event at the Slaughter Creek Marina and Palm Beach Willies. The race then will take the duo and their boat on a 1,000-nautical mile clockwise tour of the Bay, starting and ending in Dorchester County.

“A little more work needs to be done on the boat, but we’re going to take it out for a couple days,” SeBour said, adding that he hopes to livestream much of the journey around the Chesapeake on Facebook. “Get a feel for the boat, get a feel for each other and basic living conditions in such a confined spot.”

The Home Builders Care Foundation recently presented Pella Mid-Atlantic with its Tom Sawyer Award for community service in recognition of Pella Mid-Atlantic’s contributions to Patriot Point.

Last summer, Pella Mid-Atlantic teamed up with the Home Builders Care Foundation (which is the charitable arm of the Maryland Building Industry Association) to install $100,000 worth of new doors and windows atPatriot Point. The project replaced all of the exterior windows and doors on the 1925 Main House with more than 30 Pella Lifestyle Series Windows and five Pella Brand Entry Doors.

“We’re always looking for progressive ways to give back to the communities in which we do business,” said David Lebowitz, General Manager, Eastern Shore, Pella Mid-Atlantic. “This was an honor and privilege to work with Patriot Point. It was really a pleasure.”

The Home Builders Care Foundation contributed financially to the project and worked with Pella Mid-Atlantic and the Military Bowl Foundation to lead and coordinate the construction efforts.

“We can’t say enough to thank Pella Mid-Atlantic and the Home Builders Care Foundation for their support and generosity,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “This Tom Sawyer Award is well deserved.”

U.S. Army veteran Will D. recently visited Patriot Point with his wife and two children for a relaxing weekend.

Will, who served from 2005 to 2009 and was an interrogator stationed overseas, now lives in the Washington, D.C., area. He and his family drove to Patriot Point , arriving on Friday and staying until Sunday. They enjoyed a beautiful weekend on the beach, capped by a nighttime bonfire. Will also had the chance to work out in the Under Armour Freedom Fitness Center and tried out Patriot Point’s new shooting range.

“We had a nice, relaxing time,” Will said. “It was very therapeutic. Hugh, Lauren, Mike and Katie rolled out all the stops and we felt so taken care of by everyone. We hope to visit again!”

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With the weather warming up, spring landscaping work is in full effect at Patriot Point. Thanks again to Ruppert Landscaping, which continues its generous support of Patriot Point.

This past fall, following the completion of the Main House Phase II renovation, Ruppert donated 22 trees, 50 potted plants and 9,000 square feet of sod which was installed by Patriot Point volunteers. That came after Ruppert donated and installed 15 trees, 50 shrubs, 350 perennials and 10,000 square feet of sod to Patriot Point in 2018.

This spring, Ruppert plans to send a crew to install 1,200 beach grasses it is donating to shore up the dunes along Patriot Point’s waterfront.

“We think Patriot Point is a great organization for our nation’s active-duty and veteran service members,” Ruppert Landscape Operations Manager Casey Cook said. “At Ruppert, we get to pick who we donate to and this is definitely a cause that we like to revisit every year if there is a need, for sure.”

“I love the location. It’s so peaceful.”

Cook still remembers his initial visit to Patriot Point to scope out the property’s landscaping needs. As Cook eyed his surroundings while pulling down the driveway a bald eagle swooped in front of his vehicle.

“We are so appreciative of Ruppert’s incredible ongoing support of Patriot Point,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “It is thanks to contributions like Ruppert’s that we are able to make Patriot Point such an inviting destination for guests, especially the men and women who serve our country so valiantly.”

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