Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy Program: A Catalyst to Real Friendship Hero’s Bridge was founded in 2016 by Molly Brooks to help improve the quality of life for our community’s most vulnerable elderly veterans. The nonprofit provides hands-on care in Fauquier, Culpeper, and Rappahannock counties to reduce social isolation, improve sub-par living conditions, and bridge the veterans to long-term resources and benefits of which they are often unaware. The Battle Buddy Program is the foundation of all of Hero’s Bridge efforts. It typically pairs elderly veterans with dedicated younger veterans to provide in-home visits because no one understands veterans better than other veterans, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Bill Benner, a Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy, served as an Army MP for 21 years, from 1980 until 2001. His passion for law enforcement led him to positions with the FBI and then Homeland Security until he retired in 2018. He and his wife moved to Warrenton in 2020. “I missed the camaraderie and closeness of the m i l i t a r y,” B i l l comments. “I stayed busy around the house and property for a while, but I needed a sense of purpose.” An article about H e r o’s B r i d g e Bill Benner and Ken Owen and their mission resonated with him, and the Battle Buddy Program in particular caught his attention. Looking to fill that void in his life, Bill applied to be a Hero’s Bridge volunteer in November 2022. He was hoping to become a Battle Buddy but was willing to do anything—he just wanted to bond with the older vets doing whatever was needed. He currently has four veterans that he sees on a regular basis. Former Virginia National Guard member Ken Owen was his first acquaintance in late 2022. As his wife’s caregiver, Ken was isolated and lonely, so he and Bill began having lunch together at the Corner Deli in Remington on a regular basis. “Bill is a super outstanding friend, and I really enjoy his company,” Ken comments. “I can’t say enough good things about him.” Former Vietnam era helicopter pilot Victor Wilcoxon needs rides to his appointments since he is wheelchair bound. “It’s always an opportunity to get to know them when riding for long distances in the car,” Bill shares. “I find out about their passions and interests.” Victor loves to go fishing, and Bill claims that he talks about it at a PhD level. They bought fishing gear for Bill at Cabella’s and typically fish from the pier at Lake Brittle. Bill loves seeing the joy on his face! “I thought my fishing days were over, until Bill came to the rescue,” shares Victor. He is so grateful for all that Bill does for him and the time they spend together. He loves the way Bill goes the extra mile for him! help. They are humble and don’t want to take advantage of someone, like they are not deser ving of assistance. “I get as much joy and fulfillment from the feeling of brotherhood that is born from our time together as they do, and I look forward to spending time with each of them,” Bill says. “When they call to ask me to do Fishing with Victor Wilcoxon something with them, it makes me feel good.” Evie Harrell, another Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy, is a young stay-athome mom who was looking online for a volunteer opportunity. Her son was in school and she had extra Bill often takes Vietnam veteran time on her hands. Married to a Mike Gimble, who recently moved Marine veteran and having a heart from Marshall to Edinburg, Virginia, Bill Benner and Mike Gimble for helping seniors, she stumbled t o h i s VA a p p o i n t m e n t s i n onto an online posting about the Martinsburg, West Virginia. They talk the whole time and regularly integrate meals into Battle Buddy program at Hero’s Bridge. She attended an their trips. “The friendship we have is beyond informational meeting and was hooked. comparison,” Mike comments. “I have never met a more honest, kind man in my life. It is a pleasure to know him.” For the past three years she has been paired up with Doyne Shrader, an Army veteran who served from 1972 Cold War Navy submarine veteran George Hibbard likes to 1993. She takes him to doctor’s appointments and to go to the American Legion in Warrenton to have lunch grocery shopping, as well as helps him with his bills, mail, and picking up prescriptions. She several times a month. He even is there as needed, averaging several convinced Bill to join! times a month. “Evie’s help means everything to me,” Doyne comments. Bill uses transportation as a catalyst to “I couldn’t do without her.” becoming a Battle Buddy. “It’s a fantastic way to get to know each other,” he Evie says that this volunteer work gives shares. He wants them to know that he’s her purpose. She loves to be of service their friend. It starts out as one thing and and take care of others. “I am so becomes something else. He blessed to have the time and resources is grateful to Hero’s Bridge for to do this,” she comments. Her eightallowing volunteers to focus on year-old son Heath often accompanies their strengths and desires as her and is learning valuable lessons to the types of support they along the way. “Everything Hero’s would like to provide for the Bridge does is important,” Evie says. veterans. “We get to choose the kinds of activities we want Evie Harrell and Doyne Shrader “Even the small things can make a big difference in someone’s quality of life.” to participate in,” Bill stresses. “Furthermore, once we establish a Battle Buddy relationship, they allow us the space to Anyone with a little extra time and a heart for the elderly provide the support we feel is necessary can do this important work. To learn more about this without micromanaging. For that I am grateful amazing program, visit herosbridge.org or call (540) 341-5378. and sincerely appreciative.” “It’s not just a volunteer obligation—it’s an honor to serve my fellow vets,” Bill adds. He says that they are often hesitant to ask for To advertise: 540-349-8060 George Hibbard and Bill Benner along with HB staff ~ Lynnette Esse www.discoverypubs.com 24 Discover Fauquier ■ February 2026