Harbor Days’ tug race had a very special ending

I want to thank Olympia Kiwanis, the city of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and all the sponsors for the wonderful job they did putting together the Harbor Days celebration over Labor Day weekend.

Our family has been bringing our tugboat “Maggie B” to Olympia for the tugboat races for decades. Harbor Days has always been a special yearly event for us. I was worried this year that it might not be the same for us because my husband, Mike, died last year on our way to the races.

I should not have been concerned because everyone in Olympia welcomed us with open arms. “Maggie B” was the logo boat this year and it was such fun for us to see her image on posters, shirts and hats.

Our son, Tug, ran the boat for the first time in a race and did a fine job. In fact, we were all very surprised to be ahead approaching the finish line. Just then, our engine overheated and two of our competitors came to our rescue. We want to thank the Dunlap Towing Co.’s “Cedar King,” Captain Gary and Anita Sanford, and the tug “Atka” and Captain Alan Glaser. Not only did they come to help us, but after the smoke cleared, “Cedar King” tied “Maggie B” to her starboard side and we continued forward with “Atka” as an escort.

As planned, I scattered some of Mike’s ashes and rose petals overboard as we crossed the finish line while the bagpiper aboard “Cedar King” played “Amazing Grace.”

It was, to put it mildly, an amazing day. Thank you all.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Harbor Days’ tug race had a very special ending."