Moran, Hyland to Host Roundtable on Outdoor Recreation Opportunities for Wounded Warriors

Fort Belvoir will host a roundtable on Monday to discuss the future of wounded warrior programs at Ft. Belvoir and at public parks in southern Fairfax County. The meeting, which will be held at the Ft. Belvoir Officer's Club at noon, will be held by U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland and Ft. Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Gregory Gadson.

The meeting will also include attendance by the following groups and organizations:  

• Bureau of Land Management
• Fairfax County Park Authority
• Mason Neck State Park
• Pohick Bay Regional Park (NVRPA)
• Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS)
• Friends of Meadowood
• Gunston Hall
• South County Federation
• South Fairfax Chamber of CommerceMason Neck Citizens Association
• Lorton Community Action Center
• Meadowood Stables and Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding
• Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
• USO
• National Military Family Association
• Team River Runners Disabled Kayaking Club
• Lorton American Legion Post 162

Discussions have been ongoing for more than a year between politicians, Army officials and local organizations over the amenities at Mason Neck State Park, Pohick Bay Regional Park, the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area and other area parks. 

"Therapeutic riding is one of the five most requested events with our warriors," said Capt. John Votovich, the Fort Belvoir Warriors in Transition Battalion Operations officer, in a previous Patch story. "The camping facilities, fishing… We send our warriors all over Fairfax County for recreational events, but here we have it all 10 minutes down the road."

There are thousands of warriors in transition recovering around the country every day, with 250,000 service members transitioning out of military service each year, according to the Department of Defense.

For more information about the wounded warrior transition program, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WarriorCare