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On February 18th, the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) was one of several community organizations and leaders who sponsored the annual breakfast meeting of the Friendship Fire Company (FFC). The FFC is an Alexandria institution that was organized in 1774 and is one the oldest continuously operating firehouses in the country. For the third year in a row, the FFC hosted the Captain of the USS Alexandria, Commander (CDR) Michael Bernacchi, who returned to give the attendees a report on their "under the North Pole" exercise with a Russian submarine. The USS Alexandria is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-generating powerhouse submarine, 365 feet in length and slightly longer than a pro football field and towers 64 feet, roughly the height of a five-story office building. She’s one of 54 fast attack subs in the

United States

fleet. CDR Michael Bernacchi affectionately calls her Alex. The ODBC has enjoyed a three year relationship with CDR Bernacchi and his crew, hosting them annually at a Clubhouse reception, the most recent one being on February 15th. In March 2007, the USS Alexandria carried the burgee of the ODBC to the North Pole, where held it was briefly held up to sub-zero winds. In 2006, "Alex" carried the ODBC colors beneath the North Pole. Today, the burgees from both events are proudly mounted and displayed in the Ball Room of the Club. Also present was James E. Henson, Sr., President of the Progressive Club in Alexandria. Mr Henson’s great, great uncle Matthew Henson co-discovered the North Pole in 1909 with Robert Peary. Commander Bernacchi was advised ahead of time that Jim Henson would be present and presented him with a plaque. In attendance for ODBC were President Carolyn Bell, Commodore Tom Whalen, and Governors Doug Phillips, Larry Landgraff and Eric DeSoto.

Following the breakfast, CDR Bernacchi officiated at the annual George Washington Birthday Parade. The ODBC also participated in the parade with a float populated with ODBC members, their children, and many members of the T.C. Williams High School rowing Crew team. The ODBC is the original home of high school rowing in Alexandria and remains a strong supporter of the Alexandria Crew Boosters and the TC Williams crew program. The Old Dominion Boat Club participates annually in the GW Birthday Parade to demonstrate our support of the City of Alexandria and the local community. A wonderful time was had by all.

Old Dominion Boat Club

The Old Dominion Boat Club, the oldest rowing boat club in the

United States

, has been located at the foot of King Street in the Alexandria since its first meeting in September of 1880. Over the course of history, the Boat Club has consistently had a record of service to the community by its continuous support to the social, recreational, civic, and material progress of Alexandria.

The Club’s community support includes its sponsorship of Rowing by the funding of high school rowing scholarships, and a 40-year-long sponsorship of the Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringing. Sponsorships also include fundraisers for the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, Alexandria Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, the Lombardi Cancer Center, the March of Dimes and making charitable donations to the Make a Wish Foundation and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.