Art Burdick and his fiancé Robin Miller enjoyed a dynamic sail off Yorktown on a blustery and cloudy day that eventually calmed down into sunny and smooth. They’re getting married next week at Wren Chapel on the campus of the College of William and Mary, where he got his history degree. He teaches history to sixth graders across the James River in Surry County.

Do kids get history? “Yes, they do, some of them. And when they get it, you can see it in their eyes. They light up. I tell them, ‘Keep going, go for more.’”

Art lamented the decline of history as a subject. “The so-called Common Core consists of reading and math. It’s all about reading and math. In Florida, they’ve done away with history. You can grow up now in an entire state without learning about the state history or U.S. history for that matter.”

As an undergrad at W&M, he went on a field trip to Monticello. “The class got a behind-the-scenes look at the house. I held the Jefferson Bible in my hand. This is his famous Bible that he patched together with only those portions that he believed. He threw the rest away.” It sounded like something Donald Trump would do today.

Back to the wedding: Robin said, “His son is in the ceremony and my two sons are walking me down the aisle. We’re doing a beach theme at the reception, and we’re honeymooning in Manteo, North Carolina, where we’ll take a sunset cruise.”

More from the Captain...

Sub Sighted

Sub Sighted

Ten people got up close and personal with a US Navy submarine docked at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.

Full Story >
New Sailor

New Sailor

“I grew up in Rhode Island and always went on motorboats with my dad,” said Hannah Zaino as she slipped behind the helm on windy day of 15 mph southerlies. “It had never occurred to me to take a sailing lesson.” He daughter Maureen arranged the trip for Hannah’s 70th

Full Story >
Omaha Sailors

Omaha Sailors

Omaha Sailors has a couple from Nebraska joining their teenage daughter who has already completed ASA 101.

Full Story >