News
Families of fallen Soldiers enjoy getting away from it all at camp Victory Junction
By Michelle Butzgy
Paraglide
Eighteen Families from Fort Bragg got to leave their grief, anger and despair behind at Timkin Tunnel and enter into a ‘slice of heaven on earth’ at camp Victory Junction in Randleman, N.C. for a weekend of fun April 16 through 18.
The weekend, hosted by Wal-Mart and organized by the Survivor Outreach Services and other Bragg agencies, gave Families of fallen Soldiers the chance to bond and socialize with other survivors through creative games and activities designed to help heal and bring ‘new normal’ Families together.
The year-round camp was started in 2004 by Pattie and Kyle Petty, NASCAR driver, after the death of their son, Adam. It is open to children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses to let them just be children. The Pettys offered the camp as a weekend getaway to surviving spouses and their children after approaching Secretary of the Army Pete Geren with the idea in 2008.
“We were finding out how we could reach out to our armed services and make a difference in their lives because they’re all just children at heart no matter what age we are and whatever trauma situation we have gone through we need some form of healing,” said Pattie Petty, chairman of the camp. “We felt that Victory Junction had that option (to help a grieving child, parent or family) step outside the box and put a smile back on their face.”
Charlotte Watson, Fort Bragg SOS program manager, saw the transformation first-hand. “It’s the first time I’ve seen them happy. The camp really rejuvenated a lot of Families and you could see the worries lifted off their shoulders,” she said.
Counselors kept families busy with activities ranging from archery and boating to fishing, horseback riding and arts and crafts as well as an “Amazing Race” themed game called Space Mission where families went to different areas of the complex and completed fun tasks that also include lessons in communication and teamwork.
After “crew boss,” Shelby led blindfolded Catelyn Hellerman, 15, through a maze with only voice commands, Catelyn spoke about how important it was to meet other children like her. She goes to Southview High School in Hope Mills, N.C. where she is the only person her age who has lost a loved one.
“It’s what the kids needed … to have nobody but kids to get to know each other where they can all just feel normal and don’t have to worry about if anybody breaks down, somebody getting upset … it’s all normal for what we’ve gone through,” she said.
Catelyn’s mother, Michelle, remembers how far support for survivor Families has come after her husband, Staff Sgt. Brian Hellermann, assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, died in August 2003. “We were kind of the stepping stone to get this started. In ’03, ’04, we didn’t have this, we didn’t have the (Survivor Outreach Services). We felt like we didn’t have anybody to turn to,” said Hellerman. “It’s been a very positive output not only for our family, but for all of Fort Bragg.”
Ellie Bauguess, 7, and her sister, Ryann, tried to feed each other pudding while blindfolded. Soon everyone had a little pudding on them. Both girls enjoyed their activities including kissing five fish and hitting the bulls-eye in archery. “It’s the most fun we’ve had in quite a while. It’s a chance for all the kids and the mommies to have a good time and not worry about anything,” said Wesley Bauguess, the girls’ mother.
Vanessa Cole, along with her son, Carson, 10, got to meet many families like them for the first time. “My husband (Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brent Cole, 1st Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division,) would have been back from Afghanistan this month. It’s a nice distraction, getting away from Fayetteville,” she said. Her husband, Maj. Larry Bauguess, deployed to Afghanistan with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was killed in action in Pakistan.
Campers’ experiences like these were the goal for lead camper Petty. She truly appreciates the sacrifices servicemembers have made to the United States. Fort Bragg also appreciates what she has done for its Soldiers.
Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg commanding general, his wife, Melissa, and Command Sgt. Maj. Earl L. Rice, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg command sergeant major made a surprise visit to the camp Saturday with a special gift to Petty … the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.
After Helmick draped the medal over Petty’s neck, he spoke to the Families in the Silver Theater. “How wonderful this is what the Pettys are doing for us, the Army team. You all are part of the Army team and don’t you forget that. Everybody here has something in common. We’ve lost somebody that we really love. We can share those experiences. This piece here is where we try to put that on the backburner for just a few minutes as we enjoy all the activities at Camp Victory Junction.”
The Families, counselors and volunteers showed Helmick how much they had put away all the stress and sadness by, naturally, performing the camp cheer “We feel soooooooo good! Uh!”
