A patriotic participant

June Casagrande

She’s less than 1 year old, but in that time the tall ship Lynx

has become a regular sweetheart of the city.

Since the replica 1812 privateer made her local debut at the

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum in May, the tall ship owned by Woody

Woodson has become practically a fixture here -- a must-have guest at

many patriotic local events.

So it’s no surprise that she’s the headliner among 20 tall ships

expected to sail into town for the Sept. 11 ceremony to honor victims

of last year’s terrorist attacks.

“We’re very fortunate to have the vessel as part of the events and

also as part of Newport,” said Ralph Rodheim, a member of the Patriot

Day Tribute Committee, which coordinated the event.

The ceremony with the tall ships will take place beginning at 8:30

a.m. in the waters off Big Corona Park State Beach. At 8:46 a.m.

three wreaths will be laid into the water at the Lynx’s side,

representing the three sites of the attacks and timed to corresponded

with the moment when the first jetliner smashed into the North Tower

of the World Trade Center in New York City.

It won’t be the first time Lynx has been the ship of honor at a

solemn patriotic event. Earlier this summer, the boat took part in a

sunset flag-lowering ceremony at Balboa Pavilion.

The Lynx is a replica of one of about 500 privately owned boats in

the War of 1812 that served as the country’s first line of defense by

raiding British trade ships.

“I think she represents the best of the United States, the best of

our nation,” Rodheim said.