For over 25 years, the Foundation for Underwater Research & Education (FURE) has sponsored the International Submarine Race (ISR) as the capstone Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event for thousands of young men and women. This biennial design competition for human powered underwater vehicles, hosted by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, provides valuable educational experiences to the best and brightest engineering and science students from throughout the world. For the 2017 Races that occurred on June 25 – 27 2017, the Capitol Region Navy Submarine League (NSL) sponsored a Friday night cookout. Nick Guertin, the organizing chair of the cookout, and Brad Kratovil, the president of the Capitol Chapter, appreciate and thank those NSL members who supported the cookout for the 2017 International Submarine Races. Our volunteers were impressed with the competitors from all over the world and their gratitude for our cookout. One lady said the cookout was truly spectacular and she was very impressed with what our organization was doing for the event. It was exciting to think that some young members might be inspired by our message of the importance of submarines to the national defense to continue being involved with the submarine community. Charlie Behrle, President of the Foundation for Underwater Research and Education (FURE – organizer of the races) was kind enough to provide 2017 ISR Challenge Coins for each person who volunteered. On behalf of FURE, I offer my sincere thanks and a well done on the Friday evening picnic meal for all involved. I realize it was a little warm (maybe even a little HOT!) behind the grill but everything went off extremely well. I received many compliments from the contestants, advisors and volunteers regarding the evening’s food and hospitality!