Pictured are the ski team of Brandon Miller, age 15; Mark Miller, age 51, and Mark Anthony Miller, age 18.

On July 18, at approximately 8 a.m., the Miller Family of New Richmond, Ohio, (20 miles east of Cincinnati) will depart “The Point” in Pittsburgh, Pa., in their 18 foot Chris Craft boat on a six day journey to slalom ski the 981 mile length of the Ohio River, ending their journey in Cairo, Ill. Also on July 18, sometime after 5 p.m., the Miller family will meet supporters at American Legion Post 28 on Main Street, New Martinsville. They will be promoting awareness and accepting donations for the Disabled American Veterans-the reason for this adventure.

Their goals for the grueling and adventurous fund raiser include making a personal sacrifice for those who have sacrificed for our freedom, raising money for the DAV organization which provides free services to disabled veterans, and increasing awareness of programs DAV offers to disabled veterans and their families as well as a call for citizens to volunteer their time through these programs.

The ski team consists of Brandon Miller, age 15; Mark Anthony Miller, age 18; and Mark Miller, age 51. They will be accompanied on their journey by Linda Miller, wife and mother.She will be the fourth crew member of the boat. All four will take turns piloting the craft along the journey. Bill Miller, brother of Mark Miller, will follow on land with the truck and trailer.

Key support for the fund raiser has come from Mark’s sister, Teresa White of New Hampshire, who has been instrumental in contacting media along Ohio River towns.Mark’s cousin Jeanne Perry, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been pivotal in helping set up Pittsburgh departure arrangements, Ohio River marina contacts, US Army Corps of Engineer contacts, and miscellaneous other sponsors.

For more information and to donate, go to www.DAV.org/MarathonSki/default.aspx.If you would like to be a sponsor, contact Mark at MarathonSkiForDAV@yahoo.com or call 513-605-0828.You can also find them by searching Marathon Ski for DAV on various internet search engines.