Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Bonaire to Host The Wounded Warriors for the Sixth Consecutive Year

For the sixth consecutive year, Bonaire is proud to welcome the Wounded Warriors to their “home away from home” as they use SCUBA diving for rehabilitation and recreation from August 6th through 13th, 2011.

During this week, severely wounded troops and their significant others will travel to the island to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications. Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s (DEMA) Be A Diver Program and the North American office of Tourism Corporation Bonaire will also be joining the group. All accommodations and diving will be provided courtesy of Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire. Each year the people of Bonaire warmly welcome this group and show them not only the natural beauty and pristine waters of the island, but also the friendliness and genuine hospitality of the Bonairean people.

This year’s contingent of seven Wounded Warriors has suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They and their partners will be kept busy with a variety of activities beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certifications, which will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday next week. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Don’s Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and other famous Bonaire dive sites. The group will also enjoy shopping, sightseeing, dining, a Texas-style steak dinner, and experiencing the island’s culinary fare at a signature event called “Taste of Bonaire.” The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at the reception held in their honor at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode.  As in previous years, the Bonaire Insider once again will be following the activities of these very special visitors and will keep readers informed about the Wounded Warriors’ activities throughout their week on Bonaire.

Sponsors to date of the Sixth Bonaire-Be A Diver-Wounded Warrior Scuba Certification trip are: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, AERIS, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, BonPhoto, Budget Rent A Car Bonaire, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, Chat & Browse Bonaire, Casablanca Restaurant, Disabled Sports USA, DEMA/Be a Diver, Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Jack Chalk, Jewel Of Bonaire, NetTech, N.V., OCEANIC, PADI, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Pasa Bon Pizza, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Diving Magazine, Sunset Bar & Grill Restaurant, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and the Wounded Warrior Project.  (Source:  TCB-NY)