I remember hearing stories why the French Admiral's gig was selected for bringing Vérité to life. The essence went like this... "the reason this boat was selected was because it took a whole community to build it." Indeed it did. Community was created as each rib was fashioned, each board bent. Middle age, youth, and elders made their way to a tumbled down old building to work together to build Vérité; each doing the job that was best suited for themselves. Some have come and gone, a few have passed, others grown up with children of their own, as it has been over 17 years in the making. A committed community still surrounds the boat. I know because I witnessed it in action last night.
Rainsuited women and men in a driving rain pumped and bailed. The challenge to keep the rain from filling the boat faster than it could be taken out. Oars and paddles, lines and anchors were carried up sets of stairs for winter storage and later work. As you will see from the photos Vérité was a little green. Hopefully, under better light, all will be as expected.
It was, however, the coming together of community that was the most remarkable. Working in sketchy conditions and inclement weather bonded all to the shared experience. This is the stuff stories are made of, regaled at gatherings and woven into the fabric of self. It took all - working together with the same intention that made me pause. If only other Washington could, would follow suit. I'd recommend they don their rainsuits and head lamps and just DO IT!
