DRBA Port Engineer Michael Lynch of the Cape May - Lewes Ferry has successfully finished the "Expedition To Honor Our Fallen" for the sixth consecutive year. The challenging, six-day event requires participants to paddle from Fort Mott State Park in New Jersey to Washington, D.C. This annual event is the flagship effort of Operation Deep Blue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to honoring fallen law enforcement officers, first responders, and military service members, and providing relief to their surviving families.

Lynch, a seasoned ocean kayaker, was inspired to join the cause by a retired law enforcement friend. "It's a sport that has become dear to my heart," he explains. "It also requires a higher level of self-awareness and risk management, which is very similar to the selflessness displayed by the heroes we honor." The expedition is a test of endurance, with participants paddling up to 10 hours a day through varying and challenging conditions. Their rigorous journey begins at Fort Mott State Park, paddling across the C&D Canal, down the Elk River, down the Chesapeake, and finally all the way up the Potomac to Washington, D.C.

A Personal Connection: Remembering Fallen Heroes

 (Pictured: Vincent A. Julia)

Each year, participants on the expedition select a specific individual to honor. For Lynch, this personal connection is the driving force behind his commitment. "The goal of the program is to raise awareness for surviving family members that continue to push on," he says.

Lynch has used his expeditions to honor individuals who have touched his life and community:

- DRBA Police Officer Vincent A. Julia: The first year, Lynch honored Officer Julia, who died in the line of duty at the Delaware Memorial Bridge. "His family deserves to know that his sacrifice is not forgotten. That he is in our minds. He is in our hearts," Lynch says.

- Newark Fire Department Captains Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou: As a Port Engineer, Lynch has a deep connection to the maritime community. He honored these two firefighters who tragically lost their lives battling a ship fire in Port Newark. "I don't want their lives to be forgotten or lost, knowing that they made a sacrifice, they made a choice to help protect others," he shared, keeping a letter from the Newark Fire Department chief on his desk as a reminder.

- US Army Sergeant Michael Scusa: A Cape May County resident, Sergeant Scusa was killed in action in Afghanistan during the Battle of Kamdesh. Lynch met with his family, who attended the expedition's landing ceremony.

Lynch also noted the program's real-world impact. For example, the organization has donated a significant amount of money to Tunnel to Towers, which paid off the mortgage of Jonathan Dillard, a fallen New York City Police officer, within three weeks of his death. "His wife doesn't have that stress on her anymore," Lynch said. This support provides a crucial safety net for grieving families during their most vulnerable time.

A Community of Selfless Acts and This Year's Journey

The expedition is supported by a robust network of volunteers and organizations, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard, DC Capitol Police, and the New Jersey State Police, who provide safety escorts on the water. The community support is overwhelming, with groups like the Pennsville Rotary Group donating money and providing on-the-ground support. 

Lynch shared a particularly moving story about the son of a DC police officer, killed in the line of duty during a civil disturbance. The young man paddled the last 10 miles of the expedition with the team, a powerful moment of healing and remembrance. "It's one thing to lose a family member. It's another thing to not feel like that community still cares about you," Lynch stated, highlighting the profound emotional support the expedition provides. 

This year's expedition was particularly moving. The team made a special stop at the site of a commercial plane and military helicopter crash on the Potomac River. They held a solemn moment of silence for all who lost their lives in the tragedy, showing a deep respect that extends beyond their personal honorees. 

How to Get Involved

The "Expedition To Honor Our Fallen" is not open to the general public for paddling due to the rigorous physical demands and logistical requirements. However, community members can still play a vital role in its mission.  

For those interested in participating in future expeditions, you must be a retired military member, retired law enforcement, a retired first responder, or a retired volunteer firefighter. To learn more or to express your interest, you can use the contact form on the Operation Deep Blue website at or reach out to Mike Lynch directly. 

More importantly, donations are crucial to the organization's work. Operation Deep Blue's mission is entirely non-profit, with all funds going directly to the families of fallen heroes. Lynch encourages everyone to visit the website to learn more, find a link to their social media, and donate. He emphasizes that community support can make an enormous difference in the lives of surviving family members, "letting them know they are loved, their commitment is important, and they have a community that will hand over whatever they can to help."