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Old West comes to Northwest Georgia: Unique haven for combat vets in the works
IF YOU GO
What: Fort Villanow grand openingWhen: The fort will hold its grand opening Saturday. After that, it will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday and open to veterans during the week.Where: 12650 East Highway 136, LaFayette, Ga.Cost: $1 admission, donations accepted for foodFor more information, call 706-397-8860 or visit fortvillanow.com.
Fort Villanow, a volunteer-created haven for area combat veterans, opens to the public on Saturday. The Old West-themed facility along Scenic Highway 136 just outside LaFayette, Ga., was built for veterans by veterans.
Organizers plan to open the site to the public each Saturday and keep it open to veterans throughout the week.
The tiny Western town, just down from the Villanow Country Store, includes a saloon that acts as a central meeting place along with a woodshop and a blacksmith shop to provide veterans therapeutic hobbies.
Organizers said they hope veterans will find solace in the comfort of each other, especially given concerns about common veteran issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
"A lot of veterans won't go and get help because there's so much stigma attached to it," project coordinator Alese Maples said in January. "Here [in Fort Villanow], they don't have to say, 'I have this problem.' They can just be around other people who have had similar experiences."
Fort Villanow will offer equine therapy, fishing and other activities for veterans, children and the community.
The volunteer organization is still accepting donations of labor and cash to help operate the facility.
Veterans Documentary
On Wednesday, the documentary "Project 22" will have a special screening at the Majestic 12 Theater downtown. The film was made by two combat-wounded veterans, Daniel J. Egbert and Doc King, who rode motorcycles from San Francisco to New York, talking along the way to veterans, their families and the mental health workers and doctors who work with them as they try to deal with the residue of their time in combat. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $11 and for sale at www.tugg.com/events/19358.