Hello!! So what the heck is this? Well, I’m honored to tackle a very small role in a huge memorial event. I am swimming a relay 32.4 miles across the Saginaw Bay in Michigan split among three other teammates. We are but one stage of a 411 mile swim from Whitefish Point to Detroit.
WHY are we doing this. We are a diverse group of people who all have a passion for preserving the memory of the 29 crew members of the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald.
WHY am I doing it? I can’t speak for the motivations of my teammates, but for me it is rooted in an appreciation for the people who gave their lives in such a noble profession that is often not recognized for how crucial a role it plays on our lives. Secondly, I just moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan after having lived in the UK for some time. I’m from Ohio, so the Great Lakes had a profound impact on me as a child. Having lived in the UK, I discovered a song by Bobby Sands called “I wish I was back home in Derry.” This song eludes to the desire to be back in familiar territory when facing hardship. It was inspired the melody of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. This combination of moments aligned perfectly with the discovery of this memorial swim. While Michigan is but a new home for me, I feel a draw to this region and want to take this opportunity to feel a deeper connection to the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes.
For the important context, from the event organizers: “Thank you for supporting me in this historic, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will carry on the legacy of the 29 men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald 50 years ago. By helping me meet my fundraising goal, you are also helping preserve the Whitefish Point Lighthouse that safeguards mariners along Lake Superior's "Shipwreck Coast."
