With ‘Military Mile,’ Y swimmers, community again honor veterans
Published 12:00 am Monday, October 22, 2018
Staff report
The Rowan County “Military Mile” swim will again be hosted by the YMCA of Rowan County swimmers. This year’s swim will be Nov. 10 at J.F. Hurley Family YMCA.
Rowan Aquatic Club YMCA has recognized Veterans Day by hosting the Military Mile for years as an in-practice mile swim to encourage knowledge and understanding of Veterans Day among YMCA youth swimmers.
The Aquatic Club has opened the swim to the public and this year hopes to welcome people of any age or swim ability to participate for local military families.
Y membership is not required in the untimed, noncompetitive swim.
The participation fee is $20, or $30 if registration is Nov. 6-9.
Proceeds will go to the Family Readiness Group of the C1-131 Assault Helicopter Battalion. The group assists families of active-duty servicemen and women should any need arise while their loved ones are deployed.
All participants in the swim signed up by Nov. 5 will receive a T-shirt and snacks after the swim.
There will be three swim times to choose from: 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Each time slot is limited to 25 participants.
Swimmers will be able to select a lane to swim in based on their ability level (beginner to expert). They can take as long or as little time to swim and use any kind of stroke needed.
Swimmers can use any swimming equipment and complete in as many or few laps as desired.
A mile in swimming is considered 66 lengths of a 25-yard pool. The lap pool at J.F. Hurley Family YMCA is eight lanes by 25 yards long and is typically 80 to 82 degrees.
Sign-up is available on the YMCA of Rowan County website and also at the front desk at the YMCA. Questions should be directed to the swim team director, Hannah Hawkins, 704-636-0111.
Known as Armistice Day until 1954, Veterans Day has honored those served in the U.S. military, as well as the 21 million veterans living in the United States today.
Celebrated initially on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the first anniversary of the end of World War I, the holiday became a national observance in 1938. Veterans Day this year is on a Sunday.
