'A healing place': Warrior Beach Retreat kicks off this week in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH − Linda Cope says Bay County and the Beach play vital roles in helping combat wounded veterans find closure.

As founder and president of Warrior Beach Retreat Inc., Cope said the nonprofit organization is gearing up to host 11 couples this week for its biannual event that brings combat wounded veterans and their spouses or caregivers to Panama City Beach for vacation.

The group, which is not affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project, was started by Cope more than a dozen years ago after her son, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Cope, lost both his legs above the knee from an improvised explosive device in Iraq.

"Because of the support this community gives them, (they learn their) sacrifices were not in vain," Cope said. "(The retreats) bring closure and healing to them like this community has no idea. This is a healing place. Bay County is a place to be for healing."

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According to the group's website, the retreat runs from Tuesday through Monday. Attending veterans will stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton at Panama City Beach. Their lodging, along with multiple activities and meals, are covered by the nonprofit and local businesses and restaurants.

"They've given their best for us, so we as a community should give our best for them," Cope said.

To honor the veterans and their spouses or caregivers, there also will be a parade and Wounded Warrior Salute Ceremony on Thursday. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. outside Homewood Suites. The ceremony will then be held at 7 p.m. at Rodeo's Steak Pit and Seafood Restaurant.

Cope said the parade is open to the public, while the ceremony is invitation only. She also said for the first time in the event's history, her son will be the ceremony's guest speaker.

"It is huge," she said of what it means for him to speak. "He just has never felt comfortable doing that, and as his mom, (I'm) looking forward to hearing what he's got to say. He's been through hell and back, (like) so many of these (veterans)."

In addition to the biannual Warrior Beach Retreats, which are held each spring and fall in Panama City Beach, the group also hosts two smaller retreats throughout the year. Cope said the waitlist for the main retreat stretches until the spring of 2027.

For more information on the group, to view the parade route or make donations to help fund future retreats, visit www.warriorbeachretreat.org.

"We just really want to encourage people to line the streets on the 13th," Cope said. "Most of (the veterans) went straight from the battlefield to the hospital to home and never had a hero's welcome."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Warrior Beach Retreat bring 11 wounded veterans to Panama City Beach