WHITEHALL — Long-distance swimmer Jim “The Shark” Dreyer plans to tow 250 cannonballs across 22 miles of Lake Michigan this summer as part of an effort to honor combat veterans and help fund a new memorial in Whitehall.
The swim is scheduled to begin offshore on Aug. 7, with Dreyer aiming to arrive at Goodrich Park during the White Lake Area Maritime Festival. The exact timing will depend on weather and lake conditions.
Jim Dryer Swimming – Photo credit – Brian Kelly
The cannonballs Dreyer delivers will become part of the planned U.S. 250th Combat Veterans Memorial, a project being developed in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“I don’t see how we can celebrate 250 years of freedom without also honoring those who fought to win and preserve that freedom,” Dreyer said. “That is what this swim and memorial are all about.”
According to organizers, the symbolism behind the event extends beyond the challenge itself.
The 250 cannonballs represent the burden of war carried by service members, while the 22-mile distance was selected to recognize the number most commonly associated with the estimated daily veteran suicides linked to post-traumatic stress.
Jim Dryer Portrait – 2024 – Photo Credit – Jonatha McAdams)
“Cannonballs represent the weight of war experienced by our troops in combat and also symbolize the weight many Veterans continue to endure after returning to civilian life,” Dreyer said.
Each cannonball weighs six pounds, bringing the total weight Dreyer plans to tow to approximately 1,500 pounds.
Dreyer will pull 249 cannonballs in two dinghies and carry one cannonball on his back in honor of his late father, CPL Jack Dreyer, a World War II combat veteran who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the European theater.
Jim Dreyer Swimming (from Milwaukee) – Videographer – Jena McClurken
Organizers say the cannonballs are modeled after those commonly used during the American Revolution.
Funding for the memorial will come through the sale of cannonballs that will be incorporated into the finished structure. Donors may dedicate cannonballs to combat veterans and provide tributes that can be accessed by visitors through QR codes at the memorial site.
Any funds remaining after construction are expected to support veterans organizations in the White Lake area.
Community members will be able to follow Dreyer’s progress online during the swim through real-time tracking on the event website. A map of the planned 22-mile swim route from offshore Lake Michigan to Whitehall is also available online.
Additional information about the swim, the U.S. 250th Combat Veterans Memorial and cannonball sponsorship opportunities can be found at jimthesharkdreyer.com/cannonball-memorial-swim.
- real-time tracking → https://www.jimthesharkdreyer.com/cannonball-memorial-swim
- 22-mile swim route https://earth.google.com/web/@43.36558191,-86.55587723,166.51257156a,29124.05650422d,30.00000139y,0h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBMikKJwolCiExUkxZbzhKdEw3Z2c3cHhFbzVBdm5zdm5EQUhDYWtybHMgAToDCgEwQgIIAEoHCNvKl2kQAQ?authuser=0
- cannonball sponsorship opportunities → https://www.jimthesharkdreyer.com/cannonball-memorial-swim
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