Yeah yeah, I know, this blog is supposed to be about boating, but as important as GPS is to mariners, I just heard about a way they’re used that might out-rank even us boaters. And my guess is, you’ll find it just as interesting as I did.

Seems that educator Ed Meyer had a student who was about to depart for Iraq; the student wanted to get a GPS to take with him, and asked Meyer which would be best. When Meyer discovered that the military provided just one GPS per unit, he contacted Lowrance and asked them if they’d chip in a few handhelds to help outfit the soldiers. Naturally they said yes – and a short while later, one of those units proved key in helping that unit find their way out of a dangerous Baghdad neighborhood, after the lead vehicle int he convoy took a wrong turn. Thus, Operation Waypoint was born.

This not-for-profit organization has since provided over 200 handheld GPS units to soldiers heading for the Middle East. Lowrance provides the handhelds at a hugely reduced cost, while volunteers work through American Legion posts and other organizations to raise funds. Want to know more, or maybe chip in a little for this worthwhile cause? Check Operation Waypoint out, at www.gpsfortroops.org.

These Operation Waypoint handheld GPS recipients will be safer, thanks to GPS.