Mrs. Shirley Dominick recalled, her voice carrying the weight of a memory that has stayed with her for decades.

I was given the great privilege of interviewing Mrs. Dominick, the co-founder and president of Willing Warriors earlier this year. During our conversation she shared a childhood experience that would shape her perspective for years to come.

What began as a simple game of hide-and-seek with her siblings nearly ended in tragedy when Dominick found herself trapped in a confined space, unable to escape. As time passed, she was confronted with the frightening realization that if no one found her, she might not make it out alive. Eventually, her mother was able to rescue her, but the experience left a lasting impression.

Dominick described that moment of liberation as a turning point, saying “I knew from that moment on I would make it my mission to live a life that made a difference in the lives of others.” This sentiment is one that Mrs. Shirley would carry with her throughout her teenage years and eventually into her adult life as she pursued her dream of serving in the Air Force. 

Dedicated to a life of service, she enlisted in the Air Force and served for 22 years as an officer while raising three children with her husband, John Dominick. After 22 years of service Mrs. Dominick retired with the mindset of dedicating more time to her family, both immediate and extended. That dream was put on hold, however, when her mother passed away during her transition to retirement.

While she tried her best to be there for her children, she found the most comfort in staying busy and finding ways to help others. In the years following her retirement, she earned a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Management from the University of Phoenix and founded her own IT company, Agile Business Concepts. These two ventures were only the beginning of Mrs. Shirley’s accomplishments after retirement.

One Sunday morning in 2006 her pastor challenged the congregants to go out in the community and do something to help others for 40 days. At that time the Dominicks were unaware of the impact that challenge would have not only in their own lives but also the lives of thousands of disabled Veterans and their families.

For years Shirley and John visited military hospitals, organized holiday celebrations, delivered meals, and supported wounded service members and their families before transforming that passion into a permanent retreat. 

Nearly 10 years later, the Dominicks bought a property in Haymarket that would become the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families with a cost-free retreat experience that promotes healing, connection, and hope. Since its founding, Willing Warriors has impacted the lives of more than 5,000 service members and their family, my family included. 

What started as a young girl’s deep conviction to help others became a woman’s lifelong mission to serve wounded Veterans and their families. Mrs. Dominick’s story is one of great inspiration and determination. From serving her country in the Air Force to helping wounded warriors and their families find healing through Willing Warriors, she has dedicated her life to putting others first. In doing so, she has transformed a desire born out of fear as a child, into a legacy that continues to change lives every day.