5th Annual Smithtown Bay Yacht Club's "Soldiers on the Sound"

By Taylor Fleming

On the sunny afternoon of Saturday June 15, 2013, hundreds gathered at the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club to celebrate, support and give thanks to veterans and current members of the military. Earlier that morning, 47 boats carrying over 100 members of the military made their way out to the bay for a fluke tournament. The event marked the Yacht Club’s fifth annual “Soldiers on the Sound”.

 The event began in 2009 after the current president of Soldiers on the Sound, Mark Garry, watched news footage of war on a television at the Yacht Club and became overwhelmed by the feeling that he had to do something to give those who were serving a break. 

“Fishing,” said Garry, “is a great release for people.” Thus, Soldiers on the Sound became a way to appreciate members of the military and give them a day of relaxation.

 Last Saturday’s event was the largest yet. Eighty percent of the over 100 soldiers and Marines who participated were members of the Air National Guard 106^th Rescue Wing of Westhampton Beach, NY. The members of the military made their way out to the water to boats and their captains and crew, all carefully organized and assigned by Garry and Chief Ed Reiter of the 106^th Rescue Wing, who serves as somewhat of a liaison between his wing and the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club.  

While the members of the military were out on the water, the Yacht Club was transformed to welcome them back when they returned. For the first time, the Smithtown Fire and St. James Fire Departments coordinated the placement of a large flag which hung from the ladders of both department’s trucks and overlooked the docks. Additionally, a group of female committee members now known as the “Pink Ladies” went to work setting up a raffle display, tables chairs and a food buffet for the returning boaters. 

“All the behind the scenes [of this event],” says Michelle Garry, Mark’s wife and “Pink Ladies” member, “is run by a strong group of dedicated women.” 

The winning fluke was caught by Rich Gerry, a currently serving member of the military whose boat was captained by Steven Sisino, Chief of the Smithtown Fire Department and Club member. After a day of what Sisino called “slow fishing,” Gerry caught the winning fluke weighing 6 pounds and 12 ounces. The crew was composed of Sisino, his nephew, Hunter, Gerry and John Prendergast, a currently serving member of the military. 

After the fish were weighed and many were filleted, the committee and crews sat down to lunch and music provided by the Chris Jennings Band. Before the raffle, Garry took to the mic to say a few words about present members of the military. 

“These soldiers…go there. They don’t question it…There’s nothing that can touch our military,” said Garry. He also recognized four Vietnam veterans who attended the event and thanked major contributors including committee members, Mike Smedley from Team Old School, Ben Searcrest from Accurate and Dennis Hogan from Simrad, who donated a multi-function touchscreen display to the raffle worth nearly $3,000. 

Following Garry, Colonel Jeff Arndt, Vice Wing Commander, said a few words about the event.

“This is exactly what we needed, a day out with you guys and we are absolutely grateful for that,” said Arndt who was followed by Commodore of the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, Eric Milburn and numerous politicians. 

Saturday marked the fifth and biggest Soldiers on the Sound event, but Skip Hein, founding member of the committee believes the event will and should continue to grow. “[Soldiers on the Sound] couldn’t grow big enough,” said Hein. “It would be nice to take every vet out.”