'Not forgotten': Veterans recieve warm welcome for 2023 Fall Warriors Beach Retreat in PCB

Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald
Updated ·2 min read

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Sgt. First Class Christopher Walker of the U.S. Army says he and his wife, Cheryl, have never felt as welcome anywhere as they did in Panama City Beach for the 2023 Fall Warrior Beach Retreat.

They were among eight couples who attended the retreat, which was held earlier this month by Warrior Beach Retreat Inc, a local nonprofit organization not affiliated by the Wounded Warrior Project. The event brings combat-wounded veterans and their spouses or caregivers to PCB for vacation.

Sgt. First Class Christopher Walker of the U.S. Army and his wife, Cheryl, were among those who visited Panama City Beach earlier this month for the 2023 Fall Warrior Beach Retreat.
Sgt. First Class Christopher Walker of the U.S. Army and his wife, Cheryl, were among those who visited Panama City Beach earlier this month for the 2023 Fall Warrior Beach Retreat.

"Upon arriving, the entire community welcomed us with open arms," Christopher Walker wrote in a letter to the editor. "That was such a relief as my wife and I have never felt this type of welcome or love from anyone. We received so many gifts, a rental car, letters and drawings from local school kids, wonderful food, police escorts, veterans parade and most importantly quality time with without any stresses of everyday life."

Designed to help heal and provide closure to wounded veterans, Warrior Beach Retreat was started more than a dozen years ago by local resident Linda Cope after her son, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Cope, lost both his legs above the knee from an improvised explosive device in Iraq.

Cope said she is proud to live in a community that supports the military.

"It's the way (the community) responded to them while they were here that made them feel like their sacrifices were not in vain," she said. "In the 14 years we've done these, they've all been good, but I must say, to me, this was the best. I'm just so grateful for our community and its support and love."

Along with the community's warm welcome, Walker said he also was thankful for the opportunity to meet "other great American heroes of all walks of life."

This included U.S. Army specialist Jose Bonilla and his wife, Rosie, who not only also attended the retreat, but sent a letter to the News-Herald about how much they enjoyed their time in PCB.

More on the retreat: 'That brings healing': Warrior Beach Retreat comes to Panama City Beach Nov. 7

"Thank you for all the support and everything the community did for all of us — the veterans and caregivers — in the (Warrior) Beach Retreat," Rosie Bonilla wrote. "The love and appreciation from the community to all of us was (an) incredible feeling like no other.

"The warm feeling that we received from the whole community for the whole weeks was an amazing and wonderful feeling (that) made us realize we are not forgotten."

To donate to Warrior Beach Retreat, visit www.warriorbeachretreat.org.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Veterans recieve warm welcome for Warriors Beach Retreat in PCB