A red, white and blue cap bearing the words "The Price of Freedom" shielded the erstwhile warrior's head from sunshine unleashed by parting clouds.

Perched atop the bank behind Livermore, Encinal Port Capt. Chuck Wetteroth choreographed the 34 boats that docked in waves to take 240 disabled veterans on Bay cruises at the club's eighth annual Wheelchair Regatta.

"It's very exciting," said 87-year-old "O.B." O'Brien, who served in the Air Force during the Second World War. "It's a lot of work for these people. For us, it's great."

"Some of the guys live for this every year," said Wetteroth as he tried to find space on decks for the final few veterans who use wheelchairs. "I think it keeps them alive."

The yacht club's "whole flag" -- entire command staff -- was augmented by a host of regatta volunteers that included members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Elizabeth Bishop assisted Wetteroth, while her fiance, Encinal Commodore Les Raos, scrambled between yachts. The couple devoted Saturday to the veterans despite the fact they depart today on a flight to marry in New Zealand.

Each veteran had a care-giver watching over them on the voyages, freeing skippers and crew to concentrate on navigation.

"Their only job is to enjoy being on the water," said El Nido's captain, Jim Aberer. "My job is to not hit anything."

O'Brian waited in a wheelchair as a former Marine, paralyzed by a stroke, was hoisted into the stern of the Antioch yacht "Intrepid."

"Toss him in, he can swim," quipped Rick Todd's recreational therapist, whose outings with the erstwhile leatherneck have included surfing.

Todd gave a heavily slurred retort as he was eased into his motorized wheelchair, which was adorned with American flags and a sticker bearing the Marines motto "Semper Fi."

Veterans came to Alameda from Yountville, Livermore, Palo Alto and other parts of Northern California for the regatta. For some, this is the sole adventure of the year. One of the men was said to seldom leave his room at the Yountville veterans center.

"Here we are at a point where our country has people fighting abroad, and these people already did .... It is a way of thanking them," said 34-year-old volunteer Ross Sargent, a lieutenant commander at Coast Guard Station San Francisco. "It is really an honor to hear their life stories,"

Conflicts experienced by the veterans range from World War II to Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War, Sargent said.

After cruising the Bay, veterans returned ashore for a picnic barbecue and music from a band of former soldiers.

"It's wonderful ... it gets a little smoother every year," said Margot Brown, who established the annual regatta at Encinal. "Our biggest problem is funding .... Companies are quick to give money to youth programs, but it seems nobody gives a damn about veterans."

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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