The Saltwater Challenge. Our September visit happened to coincide with an annual charity event that the Beach Plum has been doing largely on its own for a decade: while the island celebrates its fishing derby, the inn sponsors nearly a dozen veterans who had been wounded, and their families, for a 48-hour plus stay and fishing excursions...meals, transportation, activities, gifts (including letters of greeting and gratitude from local schoolkids). You name it. Quietly and without self-aggrandizing acclaim. For the vets, the lobby is lined with handmade welcome signs, piles of fresh-made cookies and saltwater taffy. On the first night, at the welcome dinner, a man who had been pinned down under gunfire and grievously wounded in Afghanistan hugged the man who had saved him that day...and whom he hadn't seen since. Seriously, in the face of heart-cracking moments like these, after seeing these vets and their kids laughing and looking relaxed, you're gonna bitch about your overpriced omelet--which helps pay for the Challenge?? The Beach Plum's largesse, warmth, sensitivity and thoughtfulness was remarkable and we felt, by sheer happenstance, privileged to bear witness to this stunning event. Early one morning a vet who was gazing at the view greeted me by saying, "Just another day in Paradise!" All that said: We were there to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and couldn't have been happier with our choice. Our Morning Glory cottage was simple and yet perfect, with everything we needed...light, airy, super-clean. I'm a noise nut...and the inn and grounds were very quiet. The views, as you know, are lovely. We got excellent advice: walk down their beach patch, order a Sunset Special lobster takeout meal from Menemsha Fish House (or Larsens), and join the crowd on the beach to celebrate the evening spectacle, applauding when the sun goes down. Walk back to your cottage. We thought the breakfasts were ample and delicious, and didn't mind paying. The property is large and ambling, with lots of quiet places to plop, stop, gaze, read. And the staff?? I can't imagine where those who have complained were staying...certainly not at the same inn we were. We found everyone to be incredibly enthusiastic, thoughtful, fun and helpful...all the more surprising given how tired they must have been, having come through the nonstop July/August tourist onslaught. Shout out to Mo, Macarena, Rachel and, of course, Sarah. Apologies to those whose names I didn't catch. And yes: Champagne's omelets!!…