Lee loved the sport and 1000 mile race and was solidly always there for all race teams and each race participant,-ever present and a welcome familiar stout figure finishing teams, taking times ,strobe light flashing until all hours each day and night at the finish checkpoint locations ,-he embodied the spirit of the race and always will be remembered to the many who sailed to Lees welcome after numerous extreme race legs on the Atlantic .
I was never so happy and proud when finishing a difficult race leg then when Lee would give a congrates or well done ,and a "welcome to Tybee Island " or any of 12 locations along the 1000 mile route North up the eastern US seaboard .
My favorite story Lee told was of earlier 1000s, it was the only year the race was haulted due to the extreme weather and sea conditions , One team missed the checkpoint
{Rod} and continued sailing northward , Lee ever vigulent as beach captain hopped in a new Jeep Cherokee and chased northward driving along the beach flasing lights and sounding horns for miles and miles into dark vacant night, Lee and the jeep finally haulted only after an unrelenting wild Atlantic surf and rising tide swamped then buried the vehicle.After a few beverages of choise, and as Lee told it ,a great 1000 race story that typifies the spirit Lee exemplified with great concern, care of others, and character.

Many teams in the 1000 mile race often showed this same spirit just in finishing ,-Jamie and team in 98 comes to mind after being thrown by surf ,injured,having the boat smashed to pieces and cartwheel down the beach,then miraculacly getting it back together and finishing the 1000 miles in following days racing .-Team P-Yacht rigging a broken mast with jury rig spin and finishing ,-other teams being injured, hitting objects afloat ,running aground , and with broken boats finding within the strength and ability to finish the race and goal they set out to achieve that Lee was very much a part and always will be.
It may be most appropriate to remember Lee in this same spirit and also to honor his memory with an award -trophy to the team that also exemplifies this spirit with consent of all teams .
In future 1000 mile races , after facing huge surf and 100 miles of high winds and confused seas ,-exhausted as you approach the checkpoint don,t be surprized if through the onshore lights and distinctive orange strobe light flashing until early morning hours straining through the Atlantic surf you see that familiar stout figure standing at the surfs egde ever concerned for each racer and willing them on to the finish and to achieve their goals,if only in spirit.

God bless -