DiveNewsWire
Contributor
For the ninth consecutive year, Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), industry partners, and the entire island of Bonaire will welcome members of the U.S. military and their families to their home away from home from August 16 -24, 2014, to enjoy scuba diving for recreation and rehabilitation.
During this week, wounded troops and their significant others will complete the final steps in the scuba diving certification process. Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Associations (DEMA) Be A Diver Program, the Handicapped Scuba Association, Oceanic and the North American office of the TCB will be on-site to work with the group. All accommodations and diving are complimentary and will be generously provided by Captain Dons Habitat. Each year the people of Bonaire warmly welcome this group and show them their greatest assets; the renowned marine park with its pristine waters and genuine Bonairean hospitality.
We are excited to again welcome these veterans, who have risked their lives for their country, to Bonaire, commented Ethsel Pieternella, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Bonaire has always had a close relationship with the U.S, and hosting their veterans for a week of rest, relaxation and scuba diving is one way of our giving back to those who have given so much. We are fortunate to work in an industry that has taken up a firm position on helping these brave men and women continue their healing process through scuba diving. We are grateful to all our sponsors here and stateside for their continued support of this week. With Bonaires calm waters and easy access to shore and boat diving, scuba diving in Bonaire is probably one of the best therapies for people to be able to disconnect from their injuries and enjoy themselves underwater.
This year, eight warriors who have suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the families that stood by them, will have a dive vacation of a lifetime. The carte blanche style vacation that is offered to the warriors is made possible by the generosity of industry partners and others. Blue Water Divers, BonaireTalk, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, Oceanic, OmniCom Media Group, Rum Runners, Scuba Pro and the Wounded Warrior Project to name a few, have donated items ranging from masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, life support systems, etc. to considerable financial contributions that cover all meals and activities.
The warriors and their partners will have a full itinerary beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certification. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Dons Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and some of the other 86 official dive sites found on Bonaire. The group will also enjoy shopping, sightseeing, dining and experiencing the best Bonaire has to offer. The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at a reception held in their honor at the offices of Lt. Governor Mr. Edison Rijna.
To stay up-to-date on the Wounded Warriors Bonaire week, be sure to follow @BonaireTourism on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #WWWB2014.
In addition to Captain Dons Habitat providing accommodations and diving, the following organizations have contributed to the overall success of Wounded Warrior Bonaire Week: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, Blue Water Divers, Bonaire KFC, BonPhoto, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Rent A Car Bonaire, Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., CIEE Bonaire, Cressi, Destinations Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine, Disabled Sports USA, Divers Diner Bar & Restaurant, DEMA/Be a Diver, DiveNewswire, Dive Training Magazine, Elements Bonaire, Father Edward J. Giorgio, VA Post 689, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Iron Order Motorcycle Club Bonaire (Caribbean Pirates Crew) James Howard Creative Group, Joes Grill House Bonaire, Jewel of Bonaire, LeisurePro, Mail Unlimited, Marlboro High School Retired Teachers Group, MIVABO, Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Foskey, Mr. & Mrs. Giamporcaro, OCEANIC, Omnicomm Media Group, Oracle Trucking, PADI, , Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Diving Magazine, Scuba Pro, Scuba Toys, Sport Diver Magazine, Taxi Association Bonaire, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Wounded Warrior Project.
Getting to Bonaire
Delta Air Lines operates a weekly non-stop flight to/from Atlanta on Saturdays. Starting August 22, 2014, Delta will operate and additional non-stop to/from Atlanta on Fridays.
United Airlines operates weekly non-stop flights to Bonaire from Houston, TX and from Newark, NJ (the Newark flight is seasonal). As the schedule can vary from either a Friday or Saturday departure from the USA, please visit United.com for the most current flight information.
Other flights from North America generally arrive in Curacao or Aruba; Insel Air flies from Charlotte, NC and Miami, FL to Bonaire via Curacao. Flights between Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao are available on Insel Air and on Divi Divi Air which flies between Bonaire and Curacao.
For the last 21 years, Scuba Diving magazines annual Readers Choice Awards, has selected Bonaire as the number one Shore Diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic. This year, it received 10 awards. It was also voted number one for Macro Diving and Beginner Diving in the Readers Choice Awards and the number one dive destination for 24/7 Diving in the Top 100 Gold List. Bonaires Marine Park was also named one of the Caribbeans Best Places for Snorkeling by Frommers. Currently, Bonaire is ranked at #5 on the list of Trip Advisors Travelers Choice Awards Top 10 Caribbean Islands.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire at 1-800 BONAIRE, email usa@tourismbonaire.com or visit Bonaires official web site at www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram.
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During this week, wounded troops and their significant others will complete the final steps in the scuba diving certification process. Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Associations (DEMA) Be A Diver Program, the Handicapped Scuba Association, Oceanic and the North American office of the TCB will be on-site to work with the group. All accommodations and diving are complimentary and will be generously provided by Captain Dons Habitat. Each year the people of Bonaire warmly welcome this group and show them their greatest assets; the renowned marine park with its pristine waters and genuine Bonairean hospitality.
We are excited to again welcome these veterans, who have risked their lives for their country, to Bonaire, commented Ethsel Pieternella, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Bonaire has always had a close relationship with the U.S, and hosting their veterans for a week of rest, relaxation and scuba diving is one way of our giving back to those who have given so much. We are fortunate to work in an industry that has taken up a firm position on helping these brave men and women continue their healing process through scuba diving. We are grateful to all our sponsors here and stateside for their continued support of this week. With Bonaires calm waters and easy access to shore and boat diving, scuba diving in Bonaire is probably one of the best therapies for people to be able to disconnect from their injuries and enjoy themselves underwater.
This year, eight warriors who have suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the families that stood by them, will have a dive vacation of a lifetime. The carte blanche style vacation that is offered to the warriors is made possible by the generosity of industry partners and others. Blue Water Divers, BonaireTalk, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, Oceanic, OmniCom Media Group, Rum Runners, Scuba Pro and the Wounded Warrior Project to name a few, have donated items ranging from masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, life support systems, etc. to considerable financial contributions that cover all meals and activities.
The warriors and their partners will have a full itinerary beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certification. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Dons Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and some of the other 86 official dive sites found on Bonaire. The group will also enjoy shopping, sightseeing, dining and experiencing the best Bonaire has to offer. The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at a reception held in their honor at the offices of Lt. Governor Mr. Edison Rijna.
To stay up-to-date on the Wounded Warriors Bonaire week, be sure to follow @BonaireTourism on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #WWWB2014.
In addition to Captain Dons Habitat providing accommodations and diving, the following organizations have contributed to the overall success of Wounded Warrior Bonaire Week: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, Blue Water Divers, Bonaire KFC, BonPhoto, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Rent A Car Bonaire, Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., CIEE Bonaire, Cressi, Destinations Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine, Disabled Sports USA, Divers Diner Bar & Restaurant, DEMA/Be a Diver, DiveNewswire, Dive Training Magazine, Elements Bonaire, Father Edward J. Giorgio, VA Post 689, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Iron Order Motorcycle Club Bonaire (Caribbean Pirates Crew) James Howard Creative Group, Joes Grill House Bonaire, Jewel of Bonaire, LeisurePro, Mail Unlimited, Marlboro High School Retired Teachers Group, MIVABO, Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Foskey, Mr. & Mrs. Giamporcaro, OCEANIC, Omnicomm Media Group, Oracle Trucking, PADI, , Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Diving Magazine, Scuba Pro, Scuba Toys, Sport Diver Magazine, Taxi Association Bonaire, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Wounded Warrior Project.
Getting to Bonaire
Delta Air Lines operates a weekly non-stop flight to/from Atlanta on Saturdays. Starting August 22, 2014, Delta will operate and additional non-stop to/from Atlanta on Fridays.
United Airlines operates weekly non-stop flights to Bonaire from Houston, TX and from Newark, NJ (the Newark flight is seasonal). As the schedule can vary from either a Friday or Saturday departure from the USA, please visit United.com for the most current flight information.
Other flights from North America generally arrive in Curacao or Aruba; Insel Air flies from Charlotte, NC and Miami, FL to Bonaire via Curacao. Flights between Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao are available on Insel Air and on Divi Divi Air which flies between Bonaire and Curacao.
For the last 21 years, Scuba Diving magazines annual Readers Choice Awards, has selected Bonaire as the number one Shore Diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic. This year, it received 10 awards. It was also voted number one for Macro Diving and Beginner Diving in the Readers Choice Awards and the number one dive destination for 24/7 Diving in the Top 100 Gold List. Bonaires Marine Park was also named one of the Caribbeans Best Places for Snorkeling by Frommers. Currently, Bonaire is ranked at #5 on the list of Trip Advisors Travelers Choice Awards Top 10 Caribbean Islands.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire at 1-800 BONAIRE, email usa@tourismbonaire.com or visit Bonaires official web site at www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram.
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