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Patriot’s Day 2015 was an activity filled Saturday at Oakwood Resort, Syracuse.

Oakwood Resort staff kept busy parking event goer’s vehicles, while restaurant staff grilled out on the lawn and Man Cave Brewery provided drinks with part of the proceeds going back to the Wawasee Navy Seal Foundation.

North Webster American Legion Post 253 provided shuttle vans from off-site parking at the Frog overflow lot and Syracuse VFW Post. Souvenirs from the foundation were also available to purchase.

As the time for the event drew nearer, more and more arrived at the softball field at Oakwood. Resort guests staying nearby stood outside their homes, on their porches or by the event center. A few boats could be seen in the Conklin Bay area near the channel and many boats were anchored off the shore of Oakwood.

Several members of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets, Cruiser Indiana, from Indianapolis, were present to assist in various ways.

The afternoon jumps began with the demonstration jump where J.C. Ledbetter brought down the American flag to the National Anthem. Larry Barbara and Michael Ford followed with a bi-plane. The bi-plane is where one jumper stands on the shoulders of the other.

The event then moved from the ball field area, to the shore along Oakwood Resort. The Hooligans Flight Team, a group of World War II fighter planes, amazed viewers with a number of precision formations.

The drama, performed by the Lake Wawasee Dance Team, concluded the evening with an abduction and rescue. Viewers watched the Elite Frogs demonstration how the Navy SEALS would perform a rescue on the high seas.

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Retired Master Chief Herschel B. Davis was master of ceremonies explaining the demonstration jump and provided information not only on the team members, but the Navy Seal Foundation. He was introduced by Bud Stickle, founder of the Wawasee Seal Foundation and coordinator of the day’s events.

The group, formed by Chuck Janicki a former Navy Seal, is comprised of those who have had at least five years experience on the Navy Parachute team, the “Leap Frogs.” Some members of the team have retired from the Navy with over 20 years of service.

Each member is highly qualified in various aspects of skydiving. Combined, the team has over 100 years of parachuting experience, together with a total of over 30,000 jumps.

The Navy Seal Foundation provides services to Seal member families outside of government assistance: scholarships for children, computers for children to use in school and college and working with other wounded warrior foundations. Funds raised by the Wawasee Seal Foundation are donated to the national foundation.

Donations to the Wawasee Seal Foundation can still be made by visiting wawaseenavysealfoundation.org.