Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Thanks Denny for the information on Captain Pat. I hope hes in fact out on another boat as a mate or even a relief Captain. I could have swore thag there used to be a Book printed yearly like Know Your Ships and it said who was the Captain and Chief Engineer was for each boat. I think it was Greenwood 's Guide or something like that. I haven't seen it anywhere in a while so im not sure if its in print anymore or not.
That would be nice if ya did get the Laud to blow a salute and dedicate it for my family,but understand if it doesnt happen. I think its a bunch of garbage that residence along the river complained to the Coast Guard about the boats blowing a few salutes to the people that wave at them from shore. These Boats are a important part of our history along with our economy. They arnt that loud. Id rather live somewhere and hear the boat whistles from time to time then near a road with traffic and hear the vehicles and loud music that people play in them. Im sure the people at the Soo dont complain about the boats blowing a few salutes. The Soo was always a favorite spot of mine to watch the boats with my family and when they blew us a salute it made it that much more nice. Oh well people will complain about everything now days it seems.
Anyways i hope everything is going well with you and your family and hope that you have a good season when ya make it down to the river my friend.
Take care and be safe. Dan McNeil

Dan I forgot to mention in my previous post that yes indeed if I see the Sam Laud this year I will definitely try to get them to blow a salute and will dedicate it as well to Dick, Shirley, Rich and Mark. Can't guarantee though about getting them to blow as I've been told that they just don't seem to want to give out salutes like they used to on the river anymore. Was told that some folks out on the river believe it or not didn't like all of the salutes and told the CG to tone it down! What a shame huh? You mean that some people just can't appreciate a good thing when they have it and don't tell me that they don't blow and salute up at the Soo. I mean give me a break as most anything will blow at Mission Point if they are not too busy I know and are in the mood and feel like it. Don't know what ship Captain Pat is on these days as I believe he has been on the Indiana Harbor but, they are not due to sail this year so he could be a mate possibly on another boat. I will do the best I can.

Thanks Dan for your kind words and thoughts and glad to hear that everything is going well for you and your family. Can't wait to get back out and do some boatwatching but, I have to first get used to the new car and all of its new digital stuff. Like you said, we too have also gone over the manuals several times and still do not get the hang of everything yet. I know we will get the hang of it eventually. Yes also as we were very lucky that no one got hurt last year when that accident happened. Sorry to go off-subject here as it was a dumb drunk that ran a light and plowed into my Mom at the time. I was not with her but, she was shaken up quite a bit from it as you might imagine. Thank goodness God was there and watching out for her as she also had two wonderful witnesses that saw everything. The cops also once they heard of it took off and nailed the guy that did it big time so fortunately they got him and hopefully he is all done. If it were not for the witnesses, the jerk probably would have gotten away with it? I would like to get my hands around this guy and strangle him as if he only knew just how much pain he has caused us! Hopefully he is sitting in jail someplace as that is all I can hope and pray for. I hope that 2016 will be better as I have been struggling out there since my last good year of 2013. Again sorry to go off subject here everyone.

Thank you very much for the kind words and thoughts Bookworm. I greatly appreciate them.

Denny I'm glad everything is going well for you and your family. I'm very glad that you nor anyone else got hurt in the car accident. I do agree these newer cars take awhile to learn with all the buttons and everything pretty much being all digital and so compact. My wife and I got a new car recently and I've read the manual twice already and still don't understand it all. My wife does all the driving because of a couple medications that I have to take I can't drive while takeing them. I hope you have a great 2016 down on the river and see lots of boats and some of the ones you haven't seen in awhile. If Capt. Pat is still sailing and you see him try for a salute and dedicate it to my Aunt and Uncle and Mark and Richie for me if ya don't mind. Thanks my friend. God Bless
Dan McNeil

Hi Dan and glad to hear that my words and thoughts I hope are of some comfort to both you and your family along with Mark and other members of your family and friends as well. Glad to hear that Mark is doing well as I think about him often and keep sending my thoughts and prayers to him and your family as well. When I can find some time, I plan to sign the Guestbook and send an E-Card as well. My family is doing well and fine just been busy lately with lots of things this week and going to the doctors as well. Last fall we had to get a brand new car as we lost one of them but no one got hurt thank goodness and no it was not our fought. The new car is a challenge as it is our first in over 10 years and everything now is all computer stuff thanks to technology! Driving it is not bad but learning where all the buttons and stuff are, that's the problem. Have not driven it much and I don't drive in the winter. So, it will be another late start-up for me in 2016 on the river and 3 in a row now. Sorry to get off subject here, just letting you know what is going on here with my family. Good Luck in 2016 to you as well.

Dan, thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow. May your faith and the love & support of others give you strength to see you through and may the warm memories you shared with Richard bring peace and joy to your heart.

Thank you very much for all the kind words Denny, I greatly appreciate them and will also let Mark know as well. Sadly I wasn't able to make the funeral because i had just had surgery a few days prior and also came down with Pneumonia which I am still fighting here at home and trying hard to avoid being put in the hospital. I have talked to Mark maney times and he knows he can call my cell as often as he wants and i will help him anyway I can. He's handling everything pretty well though. Thanks again for the kind words Denny. I hope that you and your family are doing well.
Dan McNeil

Was very saddened to learn and read the news of a dear good and loyal friend of mine Richard McNeil passing away this week. I want to first and foremost express my sincere condolences to the family of Richard or as some called him Richie and the McNeil family and their friends as well. Richard will surely and truly be missed by his family and friends and I also send my heartfelt sympathy to the family and especially to his dear brother Mark as well. I have come to know the McNeil family as far as Dick, Shirley, Richard and Mark since Memorial Day Weekend in 1993 when I first met them all in Port Huron. Since then we have become very close friends and also shared many laughs, stories and good times together. I think of the McNeils often and remember all of the good times we had as we met in both Port Huron and the Soo. Once we even celebrated my birthday with them at the Soo under a tent in pouring rain! Danny if you read this, you have my thoughts and prayers and for Mark as well. I know it may be difficult now for him but life goes on and he needs to remember the good times, laughter and stories. Richard's memory will live on forever and never be forgotten nor will his parents' memory both Shirely and Dick. God Bless you all!