I know for all of you (especially my son Jon), this has been a long and arduous adventure just getting to this point. Jon reminded last week me that it was about 4 years ago when the vision of this around-the-world sailing journey first materialized to you folks. As they say, “The best way to predict the future is to create it” and all of you have created this future with wonderful pride and purpose.

Many experiences have occurred in your lives to enable you to release that last mooring line and begin your journey today. Friends have come and friends have gone. Love has arrived and love has escaped. Through it all, you have persevered to overcome many challenges to arrive at this notable day. Those of us on the sidelines have apprehensively watched all the ups and downs to see if this day would ever happen, knowing full well you would eventually succeed.

“You can only go as far as you can see, but when you get there, you will always be able to see farther”….and so it is today. Four years ago you saw this day and now that you have arrived you can see even farther as your travels unfold. We look forward to watching and reading your future history.

May God be with you and carry you safe in his arms as your journey continues into the waves of adventure.

Dave Haradon
Jon’s Proud Dad