2008 Flotilla entries honor military troops

Would there be a flotilla?

It didn’t look too promising Saturday morning for the 47th annual Wawasee Flotilla. Rain, heavy at times, soaked the area.

But the predicted severe thunderstorms and any further rain left the area by noon, bringing blue skies and entrants decorating boats. A total of 31 entries made it to the starting area, the largest turnout in some years, including nine wooden and/or antique boats.

The majority of the entries honored the military or United States in one form or another.

Syracuse VFW helped start off this year’s event with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps from the Wawasee Family Fishing area. Led by the Wawasee Lake Patrol followed by Glen Fleck, the flotilla left the southeast end of the lake led by nine wooden and antique boats at a speed suitable for these unique boats.

After the flotilla, all entrants gathered at Pier 343 to see what they had won.

The Commodore Award, chosen by 2008 Commodore Sam Cole, was presented to Dan Mikolajczak and Griffith’s Wawasee Marina.

The entry not only honored all the troops, but four individuals connected to Griffith’s Marina, past and present, covering four branches of the military.

Patriarch of the marina, Larry Griffith, was a sergeant in the U.S. Army; Mikolajczak’s father, Harry, was a machinist’s mate third class in the U.S. Navy. His son, James, is currently a second lieutenant with the U.S. Air Force and his son, Jacob, is currently a staff sergeant with the Marine Corps.

“We kind of honored everyone, specifically those four,” said Mikolajczak, who noted he will divide the prize money between the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund and the Flotilla fund.

The winner of the Commodore Trophy received a $500 cash prize and a Warsaw Cut Glass trophy.

The DNR award went to the “Red Neck Yot Club” coordinated by Tracy Sumpter. This award received a cut glass trophy and cash prize.

Jim Kramer and the Harborside Condominiums won the WPOA award with their salute to the troops that included a musical fanfare with Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty and a few cheerleaders with plenty of American flags proudly flown.

Kaley, Kelsi and Kevin Franklin, Cromwell, won first place in the youth division with their entry which honored troops around the world. Second place went to the entry by Beth Queisser and Annie Smith of their “Military Maidens” supporting all the women in the military. Dave and Linda Kristoff family, Harkless Drive, took third with a few guests - Richard Nixon, Hillary Clinton, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Scott and Jason Marler, Syracuse, and a few neighbors created “Uncle Sam’s Sweethearts” in honor of Sam Cole, which won first in the neighborhood division. Taking second was the John and Nancy Kerns family, Wawasee Beach Club Condominiums, with their entry “Defending Liberty.” Al Campbell, a former U.S. Marine, took third place and the Mark Campbell family, Syracuse, took fourth with their SS Minnow entry. Fifth place was awarded to Bob McNary and the Liberty Bell.

Syracuse VFW was presented first place in the non profit category, with All Saints Episcopal Church placing second and Boat-In Worship placing third.

Additional entries included the Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes; Staff Sgt. James Snyder’s family; U.S. Congressman Mark Souder; and a memorial boat in memory of Snyder and Maj. Todd Fiscus.

Wooden and Antique Entries

Nine antique and wooden boats entered the flotilla with a top award presented in each division. The top winners received a cut glass plate with first through third places receiving cash awards.

The top wooden boat went to Randy Tobias, Syracuse, with his multi-passenger boat. The youngsters on board started singing when the parade started and continued their chorus throughout the event, still going strong at the end.

Larry Griffith won the honors of top antique boat with his 1968 23-foot Chris-Craft Commander owned by the Griffith family since 1972. There were only 115 boats of this model ever built and this particular one was the 35th built.

Wooden boat winners included John Stump, Syracuse; Bud Hursh, Syracuse; and Tom Prickett. In the antique boat division winners included Steve Mikolajczak, Art Carceau, Joe Todd and Charlie Penn.

View the 2008 Flotilla Slideshow