PROJECT RESTORE HOPE 2024
JUNE 1- 7, 2024
*Project Restore Hope is a follow-up to our primary retreat offered in the summers. It is an opportunity for past participants to “pay it forward” and their participation pays for other Veterans to attend in the summer. We open this to the general public only if we have spaces available.
Operation Restore Hope 2024:
A Trip 10 Years in the making
Our sixth reunion event, Operation Restore Hope, took place in June 2024. This year held special meaning for our founders, Josh & Neysa, as they were able to include their children. DSV was founded in 2014 when their son was just a year old. The kids have grown up hearing all the stories and seeing all the pictures of the retreats, they have even had the chance on numerous occasions to meet some of our Valkyries and establish friendships of their own. Now that both kids had completed their OW dive certifications and the reunion event took place after school was out, they were able to experience all things DSV and they were BIG fans! We are so grateful to our Valkyries for welcoming them (and immediately including them in the teasing) as well as Captain James and crew for taking amazing care of us as always.
Our arrival into Nassau and first day on the island brought an incredible experience we were honored to witness. Returning to the hotel after some sight seeing, the street was closed for a state funeral procession. We tried to stand back out of respect but were quickly ushered by the locals to the front of the walkway. The entire country watched as the Hon. A. Loftus Roker was honored and remembered for his incredible contributions to the nation. On December 20th, 1972, he was one of the signing members of the Bahamian constitution, establishing their independence from Great Britain. To read more about his life and service: https://znsbahamas.com/biography-of-the-hon-a-loftus-roker/
Much work has been done around the island since our last trip, an entirely new dock had been built at the Nassau Harbor Club. It has been amazing to see the growth and development of Nassau in the decade we have been visiting. Saturday signifies boarding of the boat and we are ready for whatever adventure the week brings! The pristine blue waters of the Exumas represent healing to our Valkyries and this week together was no different.
This year the weather was just right to venture over to Eleuthra for a couple days of diving and exploring. Our group got to experience some dive sites new to them, as well as established favorites in the Exumas. We even got to spend an afternoon on the the island of Eleuthra, walking from one side of the island to the other. It’s not often one can claim to have traversed an island! There was some training conducted during our week, one of our Valkyries’ guests finished their OW check out dives to become certified. One of our Valkyries completed his Advanced Open Water Course, and one of the kids finished her Junior Advanced. Participants conducted their e-learning prior to the trip and staff held online study sessions to go over materials so all would be prepared when they arrived.
That is not to say we didn’t have plenty of fun and great camaraderie which we all look forward to! As always during our spring reunions, the crew of the Cat Ppalu found calm seas for some exceptional diving and fed us outstanding meals. We enjoyed some beautiful weather and took advantage of down time to relax on the trampolines and share stories. It was not uncommon for the group to enjoy a movie together in the salon each evening after the night dive. While many in this group was more advanced in their diving, we still got to celebrate some firsts. We hear there was another hammerhead sighting but only a couple witnessed it!
The entire staff of Deep Sea Valkyries want to thank Mark and our friends at All Star Liveaboards for helping to sponsor these reunion events. We love our home away from home and can not wait to get back down to the Exumas with you all!
