All posts by rbartholomew

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Family Retreat

Patriot Point recently welcomed Brian, Maureen and their two children for a weekend visit. Maureen is a commissioned officer in the Air Force and was injured by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. The kids, age 4 and 7, had a great time canoeing, playing on the beach, fishing from the pier and going out on The Excellence II with Patriot Point property manager Tim Mitchell.

“Their comments to me included, ‘That was the best vacation ever,’ ‘We don’t want to leave,’ and ‘When can we go back?’ ” Brian wrote us. “My wife and I also appreciated the relaxing environment Patriot Point provided, the tremendous experience that Tim allowed for, and the quiet time, away from distractions, with our family.

“We are so thankful for Patriot Point and for the sponsors who allow it to function. It has provided my family with a well-needed respite and an enjoyable vacation.  We are also very thankful for Tim.  He enhanced an already enjoyable time with his personal interaction. He helped fix my son’s brand-new fishing rod, which was apparently malfunctioning out of the box, and took us on a great fishing trip in the Bay.”

Warrior Events

Warrior Events

Patriot Point was proud to host Warrior Events as it brought five families to Patriot Point for a peaceful weekend that included fishing, crabbing, shooting clays and some time on the beach. Among the group were service members, including a double amputee, from the Navy, Army and Marines who had served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The group was led by Warrior Events President Bob Saunders, who served in Vietman in the Marines. Saunders said the group enjoyed “brotherhood and bringing the caregivers together in a quiet environment. Many great conversations on the challenges of families and warriors.”

Yellow Ribbon Fund

Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Family Fun Weekend

Patriot Point hosted Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Family Fun Weekend earlier this month, with 15 military families coming to our peaceful retreat. In all, 24 adults and 34 kids visited Patriot Point!

The kids held a slumber party in the gym and enjoyed a great weekend with a bounce house, water slides and face painting, with plenty of popcorn and snow cones. The adults were able to hit the water and swim, kayak, paddleboard and canoe, while there was volleyball and cornhole on land. Thanks to Talisman Therapeutic Riding for bringing their horses Spot and Ralph to Patriot Point!

Everyone enjoyed a nighttime bonfire. Thank you to Emily’s Produce for providing dinner and breakfast and to our volunteers, Sharon Lowery, Brice Brummell, Taylor Mitchell and Sherry Mitchell.

 

Patriot Point

Barn and Caretaker’s Residence Construction Complete!

Great news! Thanks to your support and the hard work of many people, construction on our new Welcome Center with the Barn and Caretaker’s Residence is complete! We are proud to show off the latest improvement to Patriot Point.

Rain has slowed progress on landscaping and construction of a new patio, but that work will be wrapping up soon and we know it will be a hit for guests this summer and beyond!

“It is amazing to see the progress as Patriot Point evolves into a first-class retreat for our nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We are especially thankful to our supporters for their contributions toward this project as well as those who pitched in and worked so diligently to make it happen. Our guests will love it!”

To view the new construction and the other Patriot Point facilities, visit our virtual tour.

USO-Metro

Old Guard Regiment

USO-Metro hosted a retreat at Patriot Point earlier this month, bringing eight soldiers who are attached to the Old Guard Regiment on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Upon arriving Friday afternoon, the group toured the 290-acre property then enjoyed a session of skeet shooting followed by a cookout and some evening games of pool and beachside star gazing. On Saturday, some soldiers hiked on the beach and in the woods while others hit the water in kayaks and paddleboards.

Patriot Point

10th Anniversary Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

The 2017 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman was a resounding success, raising money for the USO and Patriot Point. During halftime, Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck was joined on the field by Patriot Point Founding Partners Rob and Kathy Taishoff of the Taishoff Family Foundation, DC Touchdown Club Executive Committee member Mike Strittmatter and Rob Strittmatter of Strittmatter Companies, USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore President & CEO Elaine Rogers, Karl Schwartz of Heroes on the Water, Mike Wilson of Yellow Ribbon Fund and Patriot Point property manager Tim Mitchell for a special presentation on Patriot Point.

Patriot Point

Meat & Skeet

The Meat and Skeet in October was a terrific success. A group of 30 enjoyed shooting clays, a tower shoot for pheasants and shooting crossbows on the 3-D archery course. Thanks to Vince and Paul from Chopper’s BBQ for catering lunch and CHIKO for catering dinner. Lyon Distilling Company in St. Michael’s brought Dark N’ Stormys for everyone to enjoy and Michael Hamilton played music on the porch. A great time was had by all.