River runners ride waves to help heroes

The water turned as the sound of engines blared and six Jet Skis skid across the Potomac while they accelerated toward the porting stations of the marina in The Town of Quantico on July 17.
Traveling northeast these hydro hikers were on a mission to help heroes by conducting the third annual Operation Helping Hero’s Freedom Ride.
Members of the Eastern Pennsylvania River Runners, a local charter club of The American Watercraft Association, and Perry Performance Group based in Dania Beach, Fl rode for a total of 325 miles.
The goal was to raise $3,000 to donate to Family and Friends For Freedom Fund Inc., a charitable organization whose mission is to provide financial support to injured Marines and their families.
The group traveled from Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Md to Quantico Marine Corps base, ; Washington, D.C., and back over a span of three days.
“Each year I consider it a great honor to help raise money for an organization that aids our combat-wounded service men and women,” said Watson Domurat, president of the Pennsylvania River Runners. “My father was a Marine and I almost joined when I was 17, so I have a lot of room in my heart for Marines.”
On the first day of traveling the riders made their way through the Chesapeake Bay where they stopped at the Potomac River in Quantico and stayed at the Crossroads Inn. Saturday morning, they returned to the docks to head toward Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge to meet up with approximately 100 more watercraft riders from the surrounding area.
From that point the group traveled to Washington, D.C. in the hopes of raising awareness within the community and the government.
“We want to stress the need to help America’s wounded soldiers. And associations like Family and Friends for Freedom Fund Inc., are organized exclusively to provide financial aid to injured Marines and their families,” said Domurat. “They bought a washer and dryer for a wounded warrior a couple of months ago, and I think it is great to have an organization like this helping those who fight for our freedom and liberty.”
The riders hope to gain the support of every personal watercraft club, rider and enthusiast in and around the surrounding area as well as those who wish to travel to ride for the “Awareness by Presence” cause, Domurat added.
For more information and photos visit or The Family and Friends for Freedom Fund at injuredmarinesfund.org.