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Alexandria, VA (May 6, 2007) The summer boating season was officially welcomed at the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) on Sunday, May 6^th with their annual “Flag Raising” ceremony; an event it has sponsored since 1977. A large crowd of community residents, ODBC Club members and their guests were in attendance as well as Alexandria Mayor William Euille who described ODBC and the City of Alexandria as the “ crowned jewels on the water” of the Potomac River. The ceremony began with a call to order from ODBC’s commodore Tom Whalen who, dressed in his formal blue uniform stated “I would like to thank the Seaport Foundation for their partnership and the restoration of the ODBC flag mast”. The Presentation of Colors was done by the United States Coast Guard Honor Guard from the Tiscom Base in Alexandria. A heart felt rendition of the National Anthem was sung by all followed by an Invocation from Rev. Robert L. Ruskamp of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria blessing the boaters and their crafts for the 2007 season.

Master Sergeant Al Francis did the raising of the US flag. “He has served several times in Iraq and Afghanistan and represents all of the men and women of the armed services who have made sacrifices to keep our country safe. We were honored to have him join us in this annual tradition" said Eric DeSoto, ODBC President, during the ceremony. Virginia State Senator, Patsy Ticer, raised the Commonwealth’s flag. Her husband Jack who is a member of ODBC accompanied her. Alexandria’s Mayor, William Euille, did the honors for the city’s flag. The final flag to be raised was the ODBC Burgee by President Eric DeSoto and Past President Jerry Ayers. At this time Mayor Euille said to Senator Ticer “all the best flags” were now raised. As each flag reached the top of the flag mast the moment was commemorated with a loud blast from Past President Harry Harrington’s Winchester cannon for the gun salute. The event was framed by an azure blue sky with the wind rustling the vibrant spring foliage surrounding the ODBC flag mast. In the background the John Glenn of D.C. honored the tradition by spraying their hoses while cruising adjacent to the ceremony on the Potomac River.

After the raising ceremony Mayor Euille took to the podium as the honorary speaker for the event. He stated, ” The US flag signifies freedom… just as the boaters have the

freedom to enjoy the water” and that “all the other flags (Virginia, Alexandria and ODBC) show the unity of three entities coming together as one.” Mayor Euille went on to thank the ODBC for their hundred plus years of “partnership and cooperation” with the city of Alexandria. He closed his speech by acknowledging Vice Mayor Del Pepper and Councilman Andrew McDonald who were also in attendance.

At the conclusion of the event, food and refreshments were served to all, in the lower level of the Old Dominion Boat Club. Entertainment was provided by a group of young jazz musicians from the T.C. Williams High School Music Department. During this time all attendees had a chance to mingle as part of this ODBC tradition.

Other ODBC participants in the event were: Vice President Carolyn Dabney Bell, Treasurer Jim Burow, Secretary Dee Phillips, the 2007 Board of Governors and many of the committee chairs and club members who helped bring this event to fruition. Also attending the ceremony was Brian Thompson, President of the Port of Washington Boat Club in DC and Joe Livingston, Commodore of the Potomac River Yacht Club Association.

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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 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 Founds and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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