Randy just returned from Havana where representatives from more than 20 countries celebrated 150-years of Freemasonry in Cuba, and also witnessed a historic event: Tropical Lodge #56 of Florida was officially twinned with Cuban Lodge Soles de Marti -- a first in the history of both countries. RWW says it was a very powerful and emotional event, largely due to the efforts of his Cuban brothers Gilberto Torrente, Ernesto Javier, Sergio Victorino, and American brothers Ted Connally, Dale Goehrig and Brother John Cavada.
RWW lives in an old Florida Cracker house, built on the remnants of a shell pyramid where we regularly find pottery that dates back to the time of the Maya. It’s an ancient place, beautiful by day, haunting by night, and my dock is a popular place to meet and socialize at sunset.
Photos by Randy Wayne White
Start Swimming Now for the 2011 SEAL Swim!
2nd Annual Frogman “Toasty Warm” Swim
What: 3.1-mile (5K) swim from Tampa to St Petersburg (Florida not Russia)
Where: Gandy Beach to Picnic Island
When: Sunday in January 2011, 8 a.m. kickoff (start getting in shape NOW)
Why: Fundraiser for LT Dan Cnossen, U.S. Navy SEAL and US Naval Academy (USNA) graduate in 2002, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan during combat operations. Dan is a warrior and man of character who lives by the motto, “Life is all about extremes…” More details can be found on Dan’s Story at the website: http://www.dancnossen.org/story.html
Sam Farnan, a USNA class of 2014 hopeful, is organizing the swim. Each swimmer’s goal will be to raise a minimum of $500 dollars from family & friends. Proceeds from 2010 swim will go to the LT Dan Cnossen Fund. All checks make payable to "Dan Cnossen Fund" and or Mail directly to: Dan Cnossen (c/o LT Ray), 25 Baldridge Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401
The swim will follow the route of the original Tampa Bay Watch Swim first completed by local open-water swimmer Ron Collins and gang of his Clearwater Beach Safety buddies back in the fall of ’98.
Depending on the conditions, it will take most swimmers 55 minutes to 2 hours to complete the crossing. Each swimmer will have a kayak volunteer to guide them across (bring your own kayaker if you have one). So we need a head count as soon as possible.
Please note, you must get clearance from one of the following: Ron Collins, Tim Kennedy, Patty Nardozi, Dan O’Shea or Terry Tomalin.
All finishers over the age of 21 get a special post swim treat, a 16-ounce can of warm BUD.
Fins / Wetsuits optional
Points of contact:
Terry Tomalin, 727-709-3551, TTomalin@sptimes.com
Dan O’Shea, 813-407 1221, DPOshea@gmail.com
Sam Farnan, 727-543-0030 SPFarnan@tampabay.rr.com
Because “Life is all about extremes…”
Randy had a great time at the 1st Annual SEAL “Toasty Warm” swim across Tampa Bay (sort of, he says) Air temp was 37 degrees, water temp in the shipping channels was in mid-50s, and he says he should have been disqualified because he hung onto his kayak part of the 3.5 miles to survive, but finished in 1:33. Why did he do it? “Because I can’t think of a brighter, more devoted group of Americans than the SEALS, and I know of no better cause. I hope Doc and Tomlinson fans agree and make a small donation to this cause. Better yet, I hope some of them do the swim next year to raise money.”
Capt. Tony Johnson with RWW below. Tony is an amazing man with a very long list of accomplishments.
After the swim, Singer-Songwriter Wendy Webb, son, Lee, and lovely Oceanna