by John Reid

“They say if you want to make God laugh, show Him your plan.”

President and Co-Founder of Willing Warriors Shirley Dominick spoke these words before a celebratory audience, sharing the story of how a vision she and her husband had over a decade ago to help wounded and ill warriors began. Yesterday at the Warrior Retreat in Haymarket, rainy conditions did not stop the hundreds of supporters, elected officials, and more from coming out for the grand opening of the PenFed Grand Lodge. The lodge is the third home built on the 37-acre Warrior Retreat property, and will be a place for improving the well-being of military service members, Veterans, and their families.

Dominick talked about how this all started back in 2012 at Park Valley Church after hearing a message.

“I heard a message with the theme ‘movement,’ she said. “In it I heard the words, ‘move me,’ and I knew then I had to do something.”

Knowing she wanted to help veterans in need, they showed a presentation to the church on the plan to create a place. She recalled what happened next.

“After the presentation,” she said, “we met a guy who was small in statue, and he put something in my hand. It was a $100 dollar bill. He was weeping and he said to me, ‘Just do good with it.'”

“Today,” she continued, “I think we’ve done good.”

As with all projects of this magnitude, it needed partnerships to come to pass. PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren said in a press release on how this fulfills their mission to support Willing Warriors.

 “We are proud to continue our support of Willing Warriors as they provide a home away from home for wounded and ill warriors and their families. The fight does not end on the battlefield for our wounded warriors. The PenFed Grand Lodge will host hundreds of warriors and their families so they can renew their spirits and gain access to critically needed group programs.” 

PenFed Credit Union and PenFed Foundation provided $500,000 for the building of the lodge.

The PenFed Grand Lodge is over 6,000 square feet, including a 2,000-square foot multipurpose activities room. It features a pavilion, grand lodge kitchen, preparation space for special events, and two lower-level bedrooms, which are ADA compliant. Events are already planned for post-traumatic stress counseling, moral injury, entrepreneurial training, and Veteran-led leadership training.

Through expansion of a new lodge, Willing Warriors plans to help 600 more Warriors. To find out more, please visit their website.

(Photo credit: Johanna Dominick)