Patriot Point, Maryland – It was less than 24 hours since Demetreas Wilson had passed through the entry gate at Patriot Point. Forty-five years old and an 11-year National Guard veteran, Demetreas was accustomed to always being alert. At home just outside Columbia, South Carolina, he stayed up late every night, opening doors and checking on family members, making sure that everyone was accounted for.

But by his first lunch at Patriot Point, Demetreas had – literally – let down his guard. Following the meal with a group of people he had never met before the previous night, Demetreas plopped down in a rocking chair on the expansive front porch. He was amazed by the solitude – no cars, no dogs barking, no one making demands on his time and just the low whistle of a slight wind. Within minutes, he had dozed off.

“It was so peaceful,” Demetreas said. “The breeze coming off the water hits you. The next thing I knew, it was 45 minutes later.”

Visiting the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat center on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he said, provided an incredible respite – a theme echoed by nearly everyone who travels down the two-lane country road to take advantage of this opportunity.

Earlier this month, Demetreas was among a select group of veterans who traveled for a Send-A-Vet to Patriot Point retreat. Sponsored by Go Bowling and Bowlers to Veterans Link, the retreat brought together a diverse group for the common goal of allowing everyone to take a collective breath and escape the challenges of everyday life.

The guests arrived throughout the late afternoon and evening on Thursday. Demetreas brought his son, Dante. Paul Soltau, who served 5 ½ years in the U.S. Army, came from Tucson, Ariz., with his wife, Jamel. Bruce Hoover, who served five years in the U.S. Navy, came from Chicago with his wife, Kayla. Jim Hart, an active-duty U.S. Army colonel in his 23rd year of service, came from Northern Virginia with his wife, Emily, a 10-year U.S. Army veteran. Brett Cass, who served three years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and five years in the reserves, drove himself from Southern Maryland.

“I can’t quantify how therapeutic the retreat was and the mental reset it afforded us.”
— Brett Cass, eight-year U.S. Navy veteran

Before sunset that first night, the group had congregated on the second floor deck of the Main House overlooking the beach and water. It felt like they had known each other much longer.

“My wife said it was the most relaxed she has felt in 20 years,” said Hoover, who served five years in the U.S. Navy as a radio frequency and networking technician. “And she could see in me that I was very, very calm and relaxed and not worried about anything. I was able to disconnect from everything.

“Everyone in our group has different worries, but we all have the same kind of background. I didn’t have to look at someone and worry if it was someone who hasn’t dealt with the stresses I’ve had in the past. I know they have. It was really nice to be around other like-minded individuals and sit there and listen to people who had the same types of experiences I had when I was in.”

One of Bruce’s favorite activities at Patriot Point was hitting balls on the golf simulator donated by Synergy ECP. There was a catch: Bruce had only played golf once in his life and the highlight – or lowlight – of that round came when he broke his friend’s driver. Hitting balls in the Under Armour Freedom Fitness Center, Bruce felt surprisingly at ease and he enjoyed getting tips from Jim Hart. Getting out on the water for a boat ride also was enjoyable.

Of course, the group had a blast visiting Choptank Bowling Center for some light-hearted competition as Demetreas – who coaches bowling back home – provided some pointers. And they enjoyed trying their hand at skeet shooting.

“But the best part was the meals,” Brett Cass said. “Getting to unwind and hear about other people – sometimes you face similar struggles even though you face different adversity. That fellowship was essential.

“I can’t quantify how therapeutic the retreat was and the mental reset it afforded us,” Cass continued. “The property itself was beautiful. The hospitality was amazing. The accommodations were top notch. Everything was veteran-focused. Words don’t do it justice. I told my wife: You get there and get this overwhelming sense of peace and calm.”

“There was no pressure to do anything you didn’t want to do,” Bruce Hoover said. “All of us are used to serving people and taking care of others. To have two veterans taking care of every need and saying this place is yours for the weekend? Oh my goodness.”

The guests took pleasure in the little things, such as Demetreas falling asleep on the porch. Paul Soltau said that he enjoyed sitting on the beach and listening to the small waves ripple in as well as sitting in the third floor reflection room with its 360-degree views.

“There is no way you can go there and complain,” said Paul, who served in Iraq where he developed a large tumor in his spinal cord from his exposure to burn pits. He was given only a short time to live but has beaten the odds though he continues to deal with significant pain on a daily basis. “What are you going to say? ‘It’s too peaceful?’ It’s like a movie. I just loved it.”

As the group sat around the bonfire pit on the beach during their last night at Patriot Point, they shared the same sentiment: after coming together from across the country and living alongside previous strangers, nobody wanted to leave.

“By the time we left, there was a group chat that everybody was on and we all made sure we got home safe,” Cass said. “We went from nine complete strangers to everybody on a group chat and sharing pictures and checking up on each other.”

“I was able to disconnect from everything.”
— Bruce Hoover, five-year U.S. Navy veteran from Chicago