Ribbon cut; now outpatient troops will use and evaluate Bull Run Warriors Retreat July 24-26

Following its July 4th ribbon cutting, Serve Our Willing Warriors is moving quickly onto its next phase, a test period with outpatient troops being invited to use and evaluate its Bull Run Warrior Retreat.

Everyone associated with SOWW is excited to be hosting guests for the first time at the retreat from July 24-26. Facilities include ramps, an elevator and other accommodations for those who suffer from injury, and illness, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.

The dozen or so initial guests include former Walter Reed and Ft. Belvoir Hospitals’ inpatients, and their family members.  They may use the retreat’s many recreational facilities, including stables, a vegetable garden, an activity center, trails, fields, a pond with a dock, a fire pit and playground.

If they wish, they may enjoy meals prepared by local chefs. Some area restaurants are also volunteering to serve the guests meals at their establishments.  SOWW is trying to arrange a paintball excursion as well as horseback riding at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center.

So warriors resting and relaxing in the Bull Run Warrior Retreat quickly follows all of the planning and fanfare, including the ribbon cutting.

On the morning of Independence Day a long downpour appeared ominous for the Serve Our Willing Warriors’ celebration.  Fortunately, like the perseverance through discouraging times of the wounded warriors whom the retreat will serve, the sun shone on the Haymarket retreat, providing a glorious ceremony of hope and celebration.

The rain stopped prior to and resumed after the 2:30 pm ribbon cutting, with many of the 1,000 attendees avoiding the downpour by heading inside for tours of the renovated 11,000 square foot retreat structure.

The retreat is the vision God gave Shirley and John Dominick after being challenged by Pastor Barry White, of Park Valley Church. It will provide a respite for military men and women who have sacrificed dearly to preserve our freedoms.

Treated at Walter Reed and Ft. Belvoir Hospitals, they and their families will stay at the retreat that provides serenity, a welcoming community and many activities on 37 acres. Local chefs will provide some meals, and many local vendors will offer discounts.  The renovation, designed by W. C Ralston, AiA, Architects, accommodates special needs.
 
“The renovation took over two years and 100 contractors very generously donating approximately $1 million dollars in materials and labor, hundreds of volunteers, numerous fundraisers and amazing community support to complete it,” said Holly Crocker, volunteer. David Baird, Homestead Building Services president, donated general contracting services with the assistance of Gerachis Construction.

Activities and refreshments started before the ribbon cutting. Food from Westfields Marriott, Bertucci’s, Chick-Fil-A Gainesville, Cakes by Megan, Salamander Middleburg, Nando Peri Peri, Evergreen Country Club,  Glory Days, Nana Jo’s Kitchen’s cupcakes and pastries was offered under tents with watermelon and water stations as well. Eagle Scouts Ivan Lesefka and Cody McClellan prepared 675 sliders and hot dogs.

Many Scouts, Cub, Boy, Girl and their adult leaders, volunteered during the event.

Seven Eagle Scouts distributed brochures, acted as parking lot attendants and explained their Eagle Community projects that included erecting flag poles, landscaping, painting, repairs, building a stone patio, vegetable garden, a playground and fire pit. 

Girl Scout projects included a serenity garden, secret message pillows and bird houses.  Sea Scout Ship 100 and Boy Scout Troop 1882 supplied materials and a winter grounds clean up.

Dominion Woman’s Club’s donated guide sign posts for nature walks at the retreat.

A local family’s children donated income to the retreat made at their lemonade stand on July 3.

Festivities included a uniformed US Army Old Guard Drum and Fife Corps. performance. The American flag was raised by the 317th Infantry Regiment, and Janet Lundsford sang the National Anthem. 

Pastor White offered an invocation.

Retired Army Maj. Dean Dominique, USA, pleased that a book drive stocked the retreat’s library with 300+ books, helped Nancy Spencer, volunteer, put the ribbon cutting event together. He also acted as the Master of Ceremonies, introducing the ceremony’s speakers. 

They were Shirley Dominick, SOWW president, Delegate David Ramadan (R-87), Senator Richard Black (R-13), Col. Chris Toner, Commander, Warrior Transition Command; Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David Wesley and Retired Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Schumacher.

They spoke of their respect for those who sacrifice and serve in uniform and praised the job done by the SOWW, Bull Run Warrior Retreat.

“This is our great America,” said Delegate Ramadan.

Senator Black added, “I see them [wounded soldiers] all the time when I’m at Bethesda and you look at them, and you just think what a profound sacrifice for this nation these people have made.  And so when I see things like the Bull Run Warrior Retreat I know that there are so many people out here today who are thankful, grateful, for the people who have served, who have suffered, who have bled, and who have died for this nation, and we now have an opportunity to give back and to do something for these folks. I am so deeply appreciative to those of you who made it possible and to all of you who support it. God Bless you and Happy 4th of July.”

Col. Toner said, “I want to first thank the Dominicks and the entire team involved in making the endeavor a reality.  This is an ‘Island of Excellence’ here at Bull Run. How much do we pay a service member who returns home as an amputee, perhaps blind, burned or mentally broken? We pay them with gratitude, we thank them, and we commit ourselves to the long run by doing what the Bull Run family has done here with this incredible facility they have created in support of our soldiers and families.”

SOWW also received a letter of respect and appreciation from former President George W. Bush.

The ribbon cutting took place on a large porch on the Bull Run Warrior Retreat home, with dignitaries gathered alongside the Dominicks, who cut the ribbon. Those near the Dominicks were AF Brigadier General William Crandall (Ret) who served during WWII, Phil Louer WWII Vet, Wayne, a WWII Vet, Maj. Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, Vice Director, Joint Staff, General Gregory Schumacher, President of The GS Group LLC, General Dave Wesley, President of Randolph-Macon Academy, Colonel Chris Toner, Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland, Senator Richard Black, Delegate David Ramadan, Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, Haymarket Mayor David Leake, Pastor Barry White and Ryan McManus, Legislative Aide to Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, VA-10.

Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Afghanistan attended the ceremony. Valued guests included ten men and women from Walter Reed and Ft. Belvoir Hospitals.

Three additional cottages are planned to expand the future capacity of the retreat.

A post-ribbon cutting rainstorm was avoided by many who toured inside the spacious facility. The retreat will soon open up thereafter, providing rest, relaxation and renewal for revered warriors on an ongoing basis. 

“There are no words that can adequately describe our feeling of seeing what God has done,” said Shirley Dominick. “He brought a community together for a great cause and in the process, it has drawn the community closer together. He has provided so much more than we could ever ask or hope for. Our warriors and their families will certainly appreciate it.”

Bull Run Warrior Retreat’s location is 16013 Waterfall Road, Haymarket.  More information is available at http://www.willing warriors.com.