'A perfect day': Veterans, families turn out for Hull's blessing of the fleet

Hongyu Liu, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

HULL – About a dozen boats sailed through the A Street pier in Hull on Saturday while the Rev. Scott Euvrard, of Hull, prayed and the Rev. Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, of Boston, sprinkled holy water over boats and passengers sailing by.

The blessing of the fleet, a longstanding tradition for seaside towns, returned to Hull this year to support local veterans. The blessing is meant to bring safety and bounty to local fishermen.

Hull veterans coordinator Craig Wolfe and veterans program manager Carolyn Mason Wholley invited  veterans to board passenger boats for free as a part of the Hull Life Saving Museum's veterans program. The program is also supported by the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club and the Hull Yacht Club.

"It took me like six seconds to set this up," Wolfe said. "I can get every boat in the harbor if I want because everyone wants to be a part of it."

The Rev. Amy Whitcomb Stemmer of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Boston sprinkles holy water from the A Street pier in Hull on a passing boat during the Blessing of the Fleet in Hull, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
The Rev. Amy Whitcomb Stemmer of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Boston sprinkles holy water from the A Street pier in Hull on a passing boat during the Blessing of the Fleet in Hull, Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Chad Mahoney, a lobsterman for 28 years, carried six veterans and their families on his boat. He said it was the first time the town held such a large blessing of the fleet in his memory.

"It's a perfect day," he said. "It's good for everybody."

Fire and police vessels led the way. The Marine 1 boat from Boston Fire Rescue aimed its four water cannons high in the air and sprayed in celebration.

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Veteran Fredrick Sousa said he had a "great time." He ran into  a former classmate on the boat.

Enjoying a chat before heading out on a boat from the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club in Hull are, from left, Donna Misiaszek, of East Bridgewater; Donna Brown, of Pembroke; and Linda Silowan, of Braintree, during the blessing of the fleet in Hull, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Enjoying a chat before heading out on a boat from the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club in Hull are, from left, Donna Misiaszek, of East Bridgewater; Donna Brown, of Pembroke; and Linda Silowan, of Braintree, during the blessing of the fleet in Hull, Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Veteran Heather Graham,  of Kentucky, participated in the event on her way to visit her family.

"I'm just here to have fun," she said. "Enjoying God's creation and the blessing he provides us every day."

Veterans wave as they head out on a boat from the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club for the blessing of the fleet, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Veterans wave as they head out on a boat from the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club for the blessing of the fleet, Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Food trucks and inflatable castles took over the lawn near the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club for families to enjoy. Wolfe said he expects the event to be held annually.

"Wolfe brings everybody together," Vietnam veteran Rich Hynes said.

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Reach Hongyu Liu at HLiu@patriotledger.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hull blessing of the fleet includes boat ride for veterans, families