Friday, October 02, 2009

Severely Wounded Men From U.S. Special Forces are Honored on Bonaire

When we last reported on these special men and their families, visiting Bonaire from the United States, we found them as they were just completing their diving certifications.  The group has had a very busy schedule since that time, and they will continue to enjoy Bonaire until tomorrow, when they leave for home.

The men and their wives and girlfriends spend each morning honing their diving skills with boat dives to various sites on the main island and Klein Bonaire.  Afternoons are spent in a variety of different ways, all focusing upon the island’s special highlights.

Tuesday, after a lunch in Kralendijk at the Palacios family’s Buenos Aires Cafe, the men visited Jewel of Bonaire.  Although they each were provided with a substantial gift certificate, compliments of the store, the men did go a “little crazy” when shopping for gifts for family and friends back home.  That evening, they enjoyed the hospitality of the Palacios family once again at their signature restaurant, Patagonia, where the All-You-Can-Eat Grill Night was definitely a hit.

Wednesday evening brought a special treat--a reception at Bonaire’s Lt. Governor Glenn Thode’s home.  Lt. Governor Thode and his wife were gracious hosts, welcoming the men, their wives and girlfriends, as well as trip leaders, “Big Wave Dave,” Stu, and Marie.  Arriving with a motorcycle escort from Biker’s Bonaire, the group posed for a quick image with their Bonaire Tours & Vacations bus, and then entered the reception.  At this reception, the men were shocked and pleasantly surprised as they were called to the floor to accept their award certificates and silver medals from the Lt. Governor and his wife, as they were named Bonaire ambassadors.  And truly these men will fulfill their roles as ambassadors of our island.  Afterward, it was the men’s turn to thank all of the on-island sponsors who had donated so much to make this dream vacation a reality for them.  Big Wave Dave handed out award certificates to many of the event sponsors, while local television stations filmed the festivities.  The evening’s event was made possible by a donation from Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc.  View images of the evening’s festivities on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Today, Friday, is their final full day on island, and this morning, the group is enjoying a sunny day and an island tour, so they can also see what Bonaire offers for topside attractions.  This afternoon, they will go four-wheeling, compliments of Bonaire Quad Tours, and see other parts of the island.  Tonight, they’ll eat like kings at the home of Jack Chalk, general manager of Captain Don’s Habitat, while Jack serves up the famous Texas-styled BBQ for which he is so famous, sponsored by the Jack Chalk Family and Adams Unlimited.

It is due to the tight-knit Bonaire and diving communities that the island can provide such an event to honor these men; it would not be possible without the donations of funds and services by so many who support this cause.  The Bonaire Insider would like to thank the following sponsors, as well as all those who made donations anonymously, for their kind actions:  9Line, Adams Unlimited, Aeris, Alan Gross and Jane Townsend, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, Bonaire Talk, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Car Rental, Buenos Aires Café, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life/Sport Diver/Destination Weddings & Honeymoons/Islands Magazines, Chammyz, DEMA/Be a Diver, Dive Training Magazine, Floris & Nannie, Henderson, Jack Chalk, Jewel Of Bonaire, N.E.K. Advanced Securities Group, NetTech, Oceanic, PADI, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Do Rags, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and XS Scuba.

We will soon say te aworo (Papiamentu for “so long") to these fine men and their families and only add that we hope to see them back on Bonaire again soon.  Even as these folks leave the island, Bonaire’s community still takes care of them!  BonaireTalk.com has even provided their airport departure fees gratis! (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)