PANAMA CITY BEACH: As president and founder of Warrior Beach Retreat Inc. , Linda Cope says she believes veterans’ sacrifices are never forgotten.
To give back to those heroes, Cope’s organization is preparing to host a biannual event later this month, also called Warrior Beach Retreat, that will give 10 combat-wounded veterans and their spouses or caregivers the opportunity to take a week. vacation to Panama City Beach.
The occasion will also come with a community-wide parade to honor veterans, as well as a rite at a local church.
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“They’ve sacrificed so much in a way that we can’t even believe we can enjoy the freedom we have in this country,” Cope said. “We don’t want what they did so we can be the land of the loose and the home of the brave. “
Cope said his organization’s project is only to appreciate and give back to veterans, but also to their spouses and caregivers, whom he described as “the unsung heroes of war. “
Based in Panama City Beach, Warrior Beach Retreat Inc. was founded through Cope more than a decade ago after his son, the retired U. S. Army sergeant, was born in the U. S. military. U. S. Joshua Cope, lost his legs above the knee due to an improvised explosive device that exploded in Iraq.
The organization is affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project.
The 10 couples participating in the fall 2022 Warrior Beach retreat will arrive in Panama City Beach on October 25 and remain until October 31. The parade and rite of the occasion will take place on October 27.
The parade will begin at 4 p. m. and start from Bluegreen’s Bayside Resort.
For a breakdown of the parade route, stop at warriorbeachretreat. org. Donations to the group, which funds long-term retreats, can be made through the website.
The organization also plans to hold a fundraiser for a fish frying on Oct. 21 at the Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital near Harrison Avenue in Panama City.
“So many warriors who come have gone straight from the battlefield, to the hospital, to the house and have never been greeted by a hero, and this (event) puts an end beyond what they can believe,” Cope said. “It’s healing, in more tactics than they may believe for those (veterans and their spouses or caregivers) to know there’s a network that cares. “