Members of the Patriot Boys Lacrosse team with coaches and parents at the Serve Our Willing Warriors Retreat on Bull Run Mountain.For the second year, the Patriot High School Boys J.V. and Varsity Lacrosse teams volunteered their time at the Serve Our Willing Warriors retreat in Haymarket.
The lacrosse players, along with some of their family members, worked outdoors, Sunday, April 15, cleaning debris and working in the garden.
Lacrosse players did “a little bit of everything,” said John Dominick, who along with his wife, founded Serve Our Willing Warriors, which opened July 4, 2015.
Athletes have a good time while mulching the grounds.The athletes worked on cleaning debris, transporting and stacking firewood, trimming flower beds, mulching, weeding and edging.
J.V. Coach Rai Pura said the team wanted to return “to give back to the community and to help out for a good cause,” especially because they appreciate the sacrifices America’s military men and women have made.
Additionally, he said it is a great bonding opportunity for the players.
Junior Davis Franklin witnessed how it bonded together his teammates. He said it also provided opportunities for leadership and recognized Tyler Puhlick, Jr. for demonstrating that ability.
Boys garden on the side of the house.Andrew Reynolds, sophomore, said he was happy to return to the retreat, especially because he was interested in seeing how the property had progressed since last year.
Dominick noted that everything at the retreat was donated by local businesses, organization or individuals, and local groups still come to volunteer their services.
The retreat serves wounded veterans and their family, mostly those returning from war or in outpatient care at Walter Reed Hospital.
SOWW will also begin hosting retreats for veterans and active-duty military men and women suffering from PTSD through the Might Oaks Warrior Program.
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