Arnold Outdoor Recreation recognizes AEDC commander spouses through boat naming

  • Published
  • By Tanya Bryan
  • Arnold Air Force Base Services
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Services Outdoor Recreation at Arnold Air Force Base has made a tradition of naming boats after current or previous commander's spouses.

Two new 22-foot pontoon boats were added to the ODR fleet with an official christening ceremony March 30 at the Arnold Lakeside Center. All base employees were invited to attend and witness as Karen Todaro, wife of current AEDC commander Col. Rodney Todaro, and Theresa Toth, wife of former AEDC commander, retired Col. Raymond Toth were honored and toasted as the most recent namesakes. 

Guests participated at the ceremony in raising their glasses to toast to the Karen T. and the Theresa after hearing script of the tradition of vessels being named after women and referred to as "she" when set to water. The narrative continued, on a more lighthearted note, with more specific relevance to ODR rental boats.

"The moods of the waters of Woods Reservoir can be many, just like the Outdoor Rec staff that works here, from tranquil to rough. We ask that these vessels, and their caretakers, be given the strength to carry on and the foresight to remember to change the oil in a timely manner. May their rudders be strong and may they keep out the pressures of Woods Reservoir.

"We also ask the sailors of old and the mood of the lake to accept the 'Karen T.' and the 'Theresa,' to help them through their passages and allow them to return with their crew safely, which will help avoid a lot of safety paperwork for us," according to the narrative.

With the crowd's final toast of "To the Karen T. and the Theresa, to Woods Reservoir, to the sailors of old, and to the lake," it was time to christen the boats with the traditional champagne over the bow. Being environmental stewards, the champagne was poured over the bow rather than the classic tradition of breaking the bottle as to prevent broken glass in the area.

The event concluded with a social at Arnold Lakeside Center where all present could celebrate with these ladies, the newest celebrities of Woods Reservoir.

-AEDC-