Kudos to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station for once again opening the Crescent Harbor Marina to sailors and their families.

It came as a shock a couple of years ago when the marina was closed due to budget constraints. With the air station situated in the middle of one of the world’s best sailing locations, with Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands beckoning, it was a great loss to military personnel and their families.

The rebirth of Crescent Harbor Marina brings back an old marina hand, Mike Rowe, to manager Crescent Harbor Adventures, which will rent watercraft and other outdoor recreation equipment, and provide lessons in sailing as well other classes and special trips. Military families can even rent small boats to throw in the back of the pickup and take to a freshwater lake for some trout or bass fishing.

The return of Crescent Harbor Marina greatly enhances the recreational opportunities for military families this spring and summer. With many under stress from frequent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the chance for a family seafaring or other outdoor adventure at a reasonable price should do wonders for morale and family togetherness.

Military families would be wise to take advantage of Crescent Harbor Marina’s “grand reopening” on Friday, April 4, described as a “camp, climb and sail day.” From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you’ll get a taste of what Crescent Harbor and, by extension, the great Pacific Northwest, has to offer. It could well lead to a lifetime of fun and adventure for the whole family.