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Warrior Reunion

Warrior Reunion Foundation – July 2021

Warrior Reunion Foundation recently hosted a pair of weekend retreat visits bringing together soldiers who served together in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The reunions were absolutely spectacular and much of that is attributable to the absolutely perfect fit that Patriot Point is for our mission,” Warrior Reunion Founder + CEO James Ferguson said.

The first reunion was for 14 U.S. Navy veterans who served together in Riverine Squadron 3. The group arrived from across the country on a Friday and stayed through Monday.

“It was the best thing I could have done for myself personally, to come out here and reunite with the old guys,” Master Chief Petty Officer Ed Bennett said. “It was almost like we picked up right where we left off. It was really great to see where everyone is going and remind them we can lean on one another. … I’ve never been in such a nice place. It was perfect to do what we needed to do.”

The second reunion brought together 24 U.S. Army veterans and Gold Star Family members.

“Out of all the things I’ve done over the last 10 years to deal with that combat tour, this is probably the most therapeutic thing that I’ve done,” Lieutenant Colonel Steve Holmberg said. “It is great to see everyone, share stories and have a wonderful time.”

“It was the best experience of my life,” said Gold Star Mother Dolores Reed, whose son died while serving in Afghanistan. “It was such a healing experience. We felt so close to each other. It really made my heart feel good.” 

USO-Metro

USO-Metro June 2021

USO-Metro recently brought a group of 11 marines for a weekend retreat at Patriot Point. The marines came from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, where they are responsible for the burials of service members who have passed away.

“When they got to Patriot Point, they were in awe and just taking in the scenery,” said Dencil Harrison, the USO-Metro center supervisor at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

The group toured the property and spent Saturday enjoying the many activities available at Patriot Point.

“It was like a family,” Harrison said. “They laughed and they joked. We were out on the beach, singing songs and we did karaoke. They did skeet shooting. Everybody loved what they were doing. By the end, they were begging me to go back. It was just so pleasant. That was the best time.”

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Operation Restored Warrior – June 2021

Operation Restored Warrior recently hosted a Drop Zone program at Patriot Point, bringing five veterans from across the country for the weekend. The guests included Navy and Marine Corps veterans and were joined by ORW’s team of six veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

“The men left in a completely different and better place than where they were when they arrived,” said Tim Harting, Operation Restored Warriors’ director of drop zone operations. “Their hearts were healed and restored during their time at Patriot Point. Operation Restored Warrior has a deep commitment to rescuing, restoring and rebuilding veteran warriors.”

Patriot Point

Capitol Police Visit

A dozen U.S. Capitol Police officers recently visited Patriot Point for a weekend retreat.

The group arrived on Saturday morning, toured the property, then settled in for a few games of cornhole. About half the group went fishing that afternoon, followed by a dinner of shrimp and chicken with a nighttime bonfire on the beach.

“It was very relaxing,” Officer Tommy DeMar said. “Everyone was excited to get away. We’ve been working 16-hour days for about four months. It was great to talk amongst ourselves in a different environment other than work. It was great to get away. The place is amazing.”

Patriot Point

Veteran Retreat June 2021

Supporters of Patriot Point organized a recent weekend retreat for eight veterans.

“I put the group together as a mixture of different veteran service organizations that I belong to or participate in events with – the Marine Corps League, Wounded Warrior Project and Delaware Chapter of Veterans,” said John Rego, a U.S. Army veteran who was an Airborne Ranger and served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I had never met most of the guys before. I only knew two of them and only one had been to Patriot Point previously.”

The retreat was sponsored by Patriot Point supporter Bob Basarab of Bel Air Road Supply. Carl Peterson of Nicolock brought a 40-foot boat to take the group out for a day of fishing. Bel Air Road Supply and Nicolock have continually supported Patriot Point, contributing to recent renovations.

As Rego has seen in previous visits to Patriot Point, it did not take long for the group to mesh.

“The first night is always interesting to watch – some guys are a little standoffish and you can tell they have things they are dealing with or don’t know what to expect or how the weekend will pan out,” Rego said.

“But it takes less than 24 hours for that to change. By the second night, everyone is joking with each other, sitting next to someone new, having conversations. It doesn’t matter who you were or where you are from. Slowly but surely you can see them drop their guard as time goes on. The esprit de corps comes out. It makes everybody feel like they’re in the right place.”

One of the veterans was into archery and brought along his bow and arrows and the group practiced its target shooting. Another veteran was into treasure hunting and brought a metal detector – little did the group know it would discover several different old coins while searching along the dune near the beach. Rego sent the coins to a friend who is an archaeologist.

“Stuff like that is so cool,” Rego said. “To make friends like this and have shared experiences.”

On Saturday, Peterson took most of the group out on the water for a splendid day of fishing, while Basarab stayed back at Patriot Point and chatted with one of the veterans who chose to stay on land.

“He served in Iraq and was injured there,” Basarab said. “We hung out all day and got to know each other. Sometimes that means just as much, if not more than, the other stuff. I don’t think he has a lot of people to talk to. He poured it all out. It gave us a little more understanding of what he needed from the weekend.”

After those who went fishing returned, the group relaxed on the patio outside the barn and were entertained by the band Just a Bit Outside.

“It was an awesome weekend,” Basarab said. “I say this every time I visit Patriot Point, but it really was the best weekend!”

Patriot Point

Fort Meade BOSS – June 2021

The Fort Meade Better Opportunities for Single Service-Members recently brought 21 service members to Patriot Point for a weekend retreat.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second-Class Juan Cuen, who is president of the Fort Meade BOSS program, had visited Patriot Point earlier this spring on a retreat organized by USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore. Cuen saw the impact that Patriot Point made and inquired about bringing a group of service members from Fort Meade.

“It’s awesome and great to see people engage and disconnect from the world and get to know other individuals,” Cuen said. “I feel extremely blessed to come across a sanctuary where I can unwind and connect with people and discuss struggles in life and how to overcome them.”

While Mother Nature did not cooperate during the weekend, as it rained often, the group participated in several indoor activities, including a yoga class and tarot card readings. They also enjoyed a barbecue and played board games before getting to hit the water and go kayaking on Sunday.

“Patriot Point offers everything a person needs to unplug and relax, from kayaking to hiking,” said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Michele Scates. “The two main buildings are awesome with full kitchen and one big table where your group of 20-plus can eat together and connect over a meal. I will come back the first chance I get!”

“It allowed me to unwind and disconnect from the busy world,” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third-Class James Sumrall. “Military life can be very stressful and exhausting, so to have a few days away from it all was absolutely perfect. The staff also had a lot of great life advice to give which has helped me even after returning home.”

Leashes of Valor

Leashes of Valor- May 2021

Leashes of Valor recently brought four veterans to Patriot Point, where they spent 10 days training with their new service dogs. The nonprofit provides highly-trained service dogs at no cost to post-9/11 veterans who need them due to the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury or Military Sexual Trauma.

“Our 20-acre farm in Virginia can currently accommodate just one veteran and their canine at a time,” Leashes of Valor founder Jason Haag said. “Patriot Point gives us the opportunity to quadruple the number of veterans we can serve at once. It really allows us to increase our reach.”

The service members at the May training came from Michigan, Florida, Texas and Virginia. At Patriot Point, they learned how to live and work with their new service dogs at home and in public.

“One of the guys had not left his house in 10 years,” Haag said. “To be able to get on a plane and travel somewhere was huge. We are so grateful for a place like Patriot Point where our warriors can learn to incorporate a service dog into their lives in a beautiful, peaceful setting.”

Service dogs can reduce symptoms of PTSD by up to 80 percent. More than 40 percent of veterans with service dogs can cut back on their medications.

“After I left the military, I worked as a retail detective back home in Michigan. I suffered from PTSD and hypervigilance. At work, all the hustle and bustle reminded me of the streets of Iraq and sent me into flashbacks where I’d get physically sick,” said Gabe, a Marine Corps veteran who was part of the most recent class of Leashes of Valor veterans at Patriot Point. “I had a lot of trust issues with people. I’m hoping that with Patton, my service dog, I can get back out in society. I don’t do anything. I stay at home all the time. My kids are young. When they get older they’re going to start playing football and different sports. I want to be able to go to their games without worrying about if someone is out to get me.”

Said John, who served in the 7th Special Forces Group and deployed four times to Iraq and Afghanistan: “My hope is that Chesty will help with the anxiety and loneliness that soldiers tend to have. You don’t have to worry about a dog’s feelings. They’re just there for you.”

Patriot Point

Cappo & Associates Landscaping

The pull to give back and support service members led Dennis Cappo to Patriot Point, where his business, Cappo & Associates Landscaping has helped turn the area between the Welcome Center and the Main House into a picturesque setting befitting a hardscape catalog.

“I come from a family where everyone has served and I feel there is an obligation to give back when we can,” Dennis Cappo said. “We may not all be able to afford the big financial donation, but we all can put in hard work, sweat equity and bust our butts to give back. We have got to take care of the guys and gals that have  taken care of us and whom have sacrificed so much for America – remember that freedom isn’t free — it’s been paid for by the American warrior! Long live the brotherhood!”

At Patriot Point, Cappo & Associates has played a key role improving the entrance to the Main House, installing pavers in the driveway and creating sidewalks of pavers and personalized bricks donated through the Brick By Brick campaign. Cappo & Associates also installed an exterior stone veneer as part of the recent Main House renovations.

Dennis Cappo also reached out to his suppliers and has secured a donation of materials for a sprinkler system, and his company will donate the installation.

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New Reflection Room

Patriot Point guests have one more space to enjoy solitude and a great view with the creation of a third-floor Reflection Room in the Main House.

The room features 360-degree views of the property and is a private place for guests to sit with each other and chat or quietly take in the scenic view. The Taishoff Family Foundation recently donated the furniture for the Reflection Room.

“I asked [Patriot Point General Manager Hugh Middleton and Volunteer Coordinator Mike Mattingly] what do the guests want? What is relaxing for them? What is their comfort zone? said Kathy Taishoff, who designed the room’s interior. Taishoff’s husband, Rob, is one of Patriot Point’s managing members. And the feedback was to keep it rustic like the rest of the house. It had to be what guests wanted to help them be comfortable.”

The room features a leather sofa with a pullout bed and two large club chairs side-by-side, facing the water. Two glass-top side tables are cut out of a tree trunk and lighting comes from deer antler lamps. A bar-height pub table from reclaimed wood is complemented by two oversized Adirondack chairs with thick leather cushions. Two ottomans provide storage space, extra seating and an added level of comfort, while two silk trees add to the relaxed vibe in the room.

“I wanted to furnish it so that guests are comfortable and it gives them a sense of peace,” Kathy Taishoff said. “It’s just cozy, a quiet place where people can relax alone or together.”

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Strittmatter Companies Dig

It was a weekend of hard work for a crew of five for Strittmatter Companies, which continued its support of Patriot Point as it brought four pieces of heavy equipment – an excavator, a bulldozer, a track end dump and a trench roller – to improve the fields and impoundments.

Strittmatter area superintendent Dennis Boswell arrived on Friday and worked until dark getting things started. Among the work that the crew completed was enlarging an impoundment pond and making it deeper, installing a pipe to drain a field that retained water, building one road and removing another and leveling a field.

“It was a long day on Saturday,” Boswell said. “But we do it because we appreciate helping out. The service members who come to Patriot Point have made a lot of sacrifices for our country. Strittmatter is happy to have the opportunity to do work at Patriot Point and in turn help provide such an incredible place for guests to visit.”