Patriot Cruise planning in Knoxville, TN - Who's in?

matthewmiller01

New Member
May 14, 2008
1,007
Knoxville, TN
Boat Info
2008 290 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.0 MPIs (DTS) w/ Bravo III Drives
Kohler 5 ECD
All,

I have decided that I want to have a Patriot Cruise here in Knoxville. For those that don't know, it is where people donate their time and fuel to take our wounded warriors and their families out on our boats to show our gratitude for their sacrifices. I can think of nothing more to show my gratitude than this.

I have never planned an event as this. I have planned small events before, but nothing like this. I have contacted PCS already and I am awaiting an answer and assitance from them.

I would appreciate any and all assistance, advice, tips, and any thing else you can offer to help me do this. I am just starting the planning for this. There is no date planned (could be a fall or winter cruise or I could wait until next year) as yet. I am the only one in it right now. I do not know how long this could/should take to plan and arrange. Essentially, I have the desire and that's it. But I am determined to show my appreciation somehow. I know others on here have done this. If you have, please give me all the advice you have to give.

Issues/plans to figure out right now:
Who would be interested in volunteering their boat with me (all boat sizes/types are welcome)?
When would this happen?
What would be the destination?
What event(s) would there be at launch and/or return to the dock?
How/Who do I contact the veterans (VA, nearest VA hospital, etc.)?

There are more, I'm sure, and there will be many more in the future.

So please help in any way you can. And if anyone wants to volunteer/help, let me know that too!

Use e-mail - my PM inbox will fill up, I'm sure.

matthewmiller01@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance!
 
KUDOS Bluegrass for taking the initiative to make a difference for the service men and women, including their families, who have paid a heavy price for answering the call to duty. I will help anyway that I can.
 
First, I will support you in this project in any way I can. If I could get the boat there, it would be.

Second, Try getting in touch with the folks at the Wounded Warrior Group. They have done so much here with the Vet's and may be they can help with the details
 
Since i cannot donate, time or my boat I would love to donate money for you to use how ever you see fit. Pm me when your ready and thank you.
 
I am currently talking to PC&S and figuring everything out. I truly appreciate all of the offers. I will post when I have something set up, I am making sure I fully understand how to do it so that all donations will be able to be written off.

The sponsoring of a boat is a great idea! I will see if i can incorporate it into the plan or if it will have to be one pool for all donations.

Again, I sincerely appreciate all of the initial offers. I will get everything set up as soon as I can!
 
As far as sponsering a boat? If you can set it up so we can take a " sign up sheet" to work, kinda like girl scout cookies lol.
And have friends and family help out it might really take off and its not just the people on CSR. Just an early thought.

Ps, make sure that flag on your boat is clean and flying high and proud for them guys on the day of the cruise if it wasnt for them we wouldnt have boats. I know im preaching to the choir but wanted to make a point of your generousity and caring .
 
Last edited:
We thank you!
Ps, i was born in ireland and i thank the troops when i can. My youngest son wants to join now and i really cant say im against it .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Ok all. It is the new year and I am beginning the planning hot and heavy. We are setting up a teleconference with the PCS group for next week (likely Wednesday) to get the round of questions that I have right now answered. After that, I will be putting out information here and, hopefully, on a FB site for the event. I appreciate all of the support so far and I will let you all know how you can support if you wish, otherwise, I welcome all of the well wishes. I have never planned any event on the scale that I think (and hope) this will be, but I am going to give it my all. If any of you have any suggestions or tips on how to coordinate a large event and/or how to solicit donations, I welcome them. My email address is above, or you can post them here. I will keep this post up to date as things advance. Right now, based on my marina availability, I am leaning toward a summer cruise - maybe in June or July.
 
As a Veteran I would like to be a part of this Matthew....... and if I can influence anyone or anything else to assist, I will the best I can.

Please keep me posted.

Soldier On!


R
 
Matthew I am still in on donating money. Or a sponsorship of some kind, I'll keep checking here for updates. I don't have a FB account
 
It's gone quiet here but I was wondering... If this does get off the ground, how about having coordinated events on other lakes and waterways on the same day. Possibly just regionally initially, but no reason something like this couldn't expand to a national event ehh?
 
It is quiet for now. I am still planning. There is a lot of information to get and understand. That would be a great idea, but right now, I am just getting off the ground with one (local) event.
 
Matt,
Wish I could sponsor or something,but still just hanging in there. Not sure if it would help or not, but if you need a 1st mate or line handler I'm there for you.
Chuck
 
Hey, Matthew. Could you PM me with the info on what has to be done here to Sponser an event on my boat ? I have really taken a liken to the idea!!!!! Who should I contact? I'm not going to wait for someone else in my area to do it !! I will!!! Thanks.
 
Matthew, I'm still in on this. I would love to sponsor a boat.
 
Thank you all. I will be posting more soon. Well, next week is Spring Break (the family will be in Orlando), but I will keep everyone updated.

HS - I will let you know what I know soon. Three day shifts this week, then I'll start to have a little more time.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,824
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top