Posted August 11, 2005

August 11, 2005

     Every year, the South Boston Neighborhood House sponsors a fundraising cruise around Boston Harbor and its islands.  The year 2005 is no exception.

     For the past four years, the cruise has also supported the Sullivan Scholarship Fund.  This is a fund set up to perpetuate the memory of Marine Pfc. Edward M. Sullivan, who died a hero in Vietnam on June 9, 1968.  His name is inscribed upon the Vietnam veterans’ memorial in Medal of Honor Park.

     Immediately after graduating from South Boston High School, Sullivan enlisted in the Marines with six of his friends.  He went to Vietnam and became a reconnaissance photographer.  Because of his familiarity with certain terrain, he volunteered to lead a convoy.  His vehicle hit a mine.  Pfc. Sullivan died of his wounds at 19, 60 days short of completing his tour of duty.

     The Sullivan, Dunphy, and Morrell families will never forget Edward Sullivan, but they wanted to keep his memory ever green to the rest of South Boston.  They wanted the memorial to be connected to the Neighborhood House and Gate of Heaven, so they set up a scholarship fund in his name.  This year’s scholarship recipient is Ashley Hutchinson; the three prior recipients were James Higgins, Michael Joyce, and Michael Morris.

     The cruise will take place aboard the Provincetown II.  Boarding begins at 6 p.m. at the Bay State Cruise Lines pier on Northern Avenue.  On-deck music will be provided by South Boston’s popular local band, “Second Story”.  Free parking is available in the McCourt lots across from Pier Four.  When the cruise returns at approximately 10 p.m., the evening will continue at the nearby Seaport Bar & Grille.

     The Neighborhood House cruise has always been an event and an evening that partakes of being a reunion of sorts.  More than 500 people attend.  Most share a connection with the Neighborhood House.  In many cases, they went there themselves, and now their own children are members.   No one needs to be reminded of how much the Neighborhood House has done for the community through the past four generations.

     The cruise is one of those traditions that get better as time goes on.  But that’s South Boston – do well by doing good.

(Tickets to the South Boston Neighborhood House Harbor Cruise are available at the Neighborhood House – (617268-1619 – or at Mt. Washington Bank.)