Three active-duty U.S. Army soldiers recovering in the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Soldier Recovery Unit visited Patriot Point earlier this month for a weekday retreat that included a charter fishing outing.

“The service members are so happy to get away from Walter Reed for the day,” said Jenn Trantin, the unit’s recreational therapist. “It is so relaxing for them to get on the boat and cast a line. It doesn’t matter how big the fish are or whether they are biting at all. The peacefulness and serenity of being on the water is so calming and provide a great respite in their recovery.”

When he opened Sea Floor Carpets, Hardwood and More five years ago, Don Robertson established a priority of wanting to give back to the surrounding community near Berlin, Maryland. He would take leftover carpet, bind it and donate it to churches. He gave to causes that supported recovering service members.

This past spring, Robertson added another component to his philanthropy. He wanted to donate $50 from every purchase from March through July, splitting the money between the local humane society and a group that supported recovering service members. Robertson’s good friend John Rego, a U.S. Army veteran who has visited and supported Patriot Point, suggested that Patriot Point would be a good fit.

Business was good. To date, Robertson has donated $6,375 to Patriot Point.

“We were very fortunate and blessed with great sales and the ability to do this,” Robertson said. “I am not military, but my heart goes out to all who are and all who support it.”

A crew from T&G Builders & Custom Design in Berlin, Maryland, has been at Patriot Point recently, providing services to complete general maintenance and improvements on several buildings.

“This area is subject to the harshest environment, with no obstruction from the water,” said T&G Builders Vice President John Rego, who is also a U.S. Army veteran and Airborne Ranger. “We’re looking at areas that have been problematic over the past few years, pulling them apart and correcting them the right way.”

T&G specializes in renovations and building custom homes on the waterfront throughout the coastal region of the Eastern Shore. That experience and knowledge was handy when working at Patriot Point.

“The crew is doing a great job,” Patriot Point General Manager Hugh Middleton said. “They are really keeping things looking great. It is incredibly generous of T&G to continue its support of Patriot Point and help with these projects.”