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Bay Co. and Team Tyndall honor wounded warriors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Blue skies and white clouds framed Old Glory as she waved proudly from Panama City's Fire Engine #1 as hundreds of people and U.S. servicemembers lined the parade route for the Warrior Beach Retreat motorcade Sept. 19.

As the Warriors made their way to their opening ceremony, they passed families waving American Flags, infants to the elderly decked in red, white and blue, and Airmen rendering salute.

"This event is an opportunity for our brethren to forget about the healing they may be struggling with that was brought on by the rigors of combat and be recognized and thanked for their sacrifices to our nation," said Chief Master Sgt. Raymond DeVite Jr., 325th Fighter Wing command chief. "One of the Wounded Warriors conveyed that they had not shed a single tear for themselves or for anyone else since being injured...seeing you [Airmen and supporters] all line the parade route made our hero cry for the first time."

The Warrior Beach Retreat is a program that brings wounded warriors and their spouse or caregiver to Panama City Beach for a week of rest and relaxation.

"Additionally, there were two stories told that night about two of the Wounded Warriors who confessed that had it not been for the Wounded Warrior Beach Retreat they would no longer be with us," added the Chief. "I was fortunate enough to represent the Tyndall enlisted force at the opening ceremony. Words cannot express the gratitude conveyed to the Airmen of Team Tyndall."

Though the 2013 Fall Warrior Beach Retreat concluded Sept. 24, the Bay County community gave the Warriors memories, a sense of appreciation and camaraderie.

"We are so overwhelmed by the support from Tyndall," said Linda Cope, founder of Warrior Beach Retreat, Inc. and mother of Sgt. Joshua Cope, a wounded warrior. "[It] brought tears to so many eyes."