Labyrinths support military readiness

Soldier walking labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Since we began working with labyrinths more than 20 years ago, they have grown in popularity and importance, emerging from relative obscurity in the 1990s into a full-blown worldwide labyrinth revival in the 21st Century. No longer a fringe element, labyrinths have finally become mainstream once again. Even our armed forces acknowledge the value of labyrinths in maximizing personal readiness and building resiliency among our combat forces. In fact, the labyrinth is now recognized as an important tool to support spiritual and physical health and wellness objectives of the Navy’s 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. 

For us, labyrinths officially entered the mainstream of American consciousness when we received a call in 2011 from Cmdr. Kim Donahue to build a labyrinth at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We were so honored to have the opportunity to support our troops and veterans with a labyrinth specially designed for their needs—our way of saying “thanks for your service.”

Cmdr. Donahue, chaplain and head of Pastoral Care, told us that when she first checked into the command, she walked by the Angel Garden between Walter Reed Bethesda's Building 8 and 9 and noticed a large empty circle. Her first thought was to put a labyrinth there. She envisioned the labyrinth becoming a spiritual tool that all staff, patients, and family members could use to find peace, pray, or meditate as they walked along its path toward the center. We were ecstatic that her committee chose Labyrinths in Stone to make her vision a reality.

The 42-foot Chartres-pattern labyrinth was completed on November 16, 2011. National Naval Medical Center held an official dedication ceremony the following spring on March 14, 2012, during Pastoral Care Week when the department annually recognizes its staff and promotes its services.

Labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

"This is a community garden, and I want everyone to look at it like that," said Cmdr. Donahue. "This labyrinth is dedicated today, an enduring work of love, to bring healing, compassion, hope and peace, in memory and in honor of all those who have given themselves to free others." She also explained how research has indicated that labyrinths, which have been used in health care facilities for years, can positively change an individual's energy after walking through its path.

After walking through the labyrinth during the ceremony, Dr. Joan Gordon, a transition coordinator at Walter Reed Bethesda, said it reminded her of how life has its twists and turns. "Things always turn out better than you anticipate, and there's surprises along the way," she said.

Along with many other staff members, Gordon walked through the labyrinth toward its center where ceremony attendees could pick up a small stone paver, remaining from the labyrinth's construction, as a keepsake. Attendees could also write a message on the pavers, with permanent marker, noting their feelings about their experience while walking the path. Gordon wrote, "Faith, Hope and Love." "There's so much love here--the love of our patients, the love from family members that motivates us to give our best,” she said. “It's very appropriate to have it here."

Detail of labyrinth in Angel Garden at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center commander, noted the labyrinth's value and its healing capabilities. "What a special event this is for us. It's really a unique tool we have in our tool box to provide healing. I'm very excited that we have this here," Stocks said.

At long last, the labyrinth is now acknowledged once again as an important tool for healing for people of all paths of faith and all walks of life, including our combat forces and veterans. We feel so honored that the labyrinth at Walter Reed has served our armed forces so well, especially those who have given their all. We also feel validated that labyrinths are recognized as an important element of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative to maximize personal readiness, build resiliency, and support the spiritual and physical health and wellness of our armed forces. We couldn’t be more proud to do our part to support our troops and veterans!