Each year, in quiet fashion – no media, no hoopla, no spectacle – Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets provides wounded troops and their families a great vacation which includes meals, lodging, fun and a relaxing weekend.

The program was created to provide a much needed break from the medical rigors that wounded troops must endure on a daily basis in order to rehab from their injuries and to return to health. The organization is partnered with the Greenwell Foundation and uses the facilities of Greenwell State Park to house veterans and their families.

During their stay, families enjoy kayaking, horseback riding, boat rides, fishing, charter boat fishing and more. For those that need assistance, golf carts are provided to allow veterans increased mobility. The vacation is supported by many local businesses and organizations including local Lions clubs, Seventh District Optimists, Lenny’s, Sleep Inn, Papa Johns Sunshine Catering and more.

Volunteers are on hand to ensure that wounded troops receive the very best care and that they want for nothing, all at no charge whatsoever to the veterans and families. In addition to ensuring a good time for all, medical staff from NAS Pax volunteer their time so medics are available 24-hours a day during the stay.

The effort begun in 2008 when a local couple decided to give something back to veterans and invited three vets from Walter Reid army hospital down for a weekend. Upon their return, the troops related how great the weekend was and the effort was born. That first year, Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets held three vacation events for 19 wounded servicemen and woman.

The following year, the organization hosted four events and provided vacations to 37 veterans and their families.

When asked about 2010, Southern Maryland Vacation for Vets organizer, Connie Pennington stated that “we won’t know how many veterans we will help this year until the applications come back from Walter Reid.”

Pennington indicated that each year, the organization send up an application to host wounded soldiers and that Walter Reid approves that application and puts up a sign up sheet and an overflow sheet.

“We never really know how many will come until the day before when we get the list back from the hospital,” said Pennington. She indicated that sometimes there are cancellations for medical or other reasons, but the effort is great way to help veterans and their families.

The group holds various fundraisers throughout the year to keep the effort going. On March 20, Centrury 21 Charity Auction will donate a portion of the proceeds from that event to the effort. More information about that event may be had by calling (301) 862-2169

St. Mary’s College of Maryland also is holding an event to raise funds on April 9 – a 24-hour run. For more information about that run, call (240) 895-2131.

Bruster’s Ice Cream is also selling coupon books to help raise funds. It is the feeling of Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets that the more community support received, the more veterans and their families they can help. For more information about the group, contact Connie Pennington at (301) 904-0707 or email her at cpennington@csc.com.