When Daniel Knott retired as an Army Lieutenant Colonel, he faced the same question many veterans do: What now? Seeking to help other veterans transition into civilian life with a sense of purpose, he founded Knott Alone—Hold Fast.
The organization’s mission is to bring veterans together on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, fostering purpose and connection through shared work and conversation. In 2021, Knott purchased 130 acres on a quiet peninsula in Gloucester, VA, and created a place where veterans could come together away from the noise and pressures of daily life to find their footing again.
Knott says, “We meet each person where they are, and we have many ways to assist—from a day on the water, to peer support, to referrals to the VA, to workforce development, and more.”
Hold Fast offers day trips, weeklong immersions, and even extended stays, blending hands-on labor, nature-based therapy, and peer support. Weekly community dinners anchor the program, bringing together veterans, families, and neighbors around one table.
“The potluck dinners are open to anyone and are a good way for those who are interested in our organization to see if it’s a good fit. We’ll have anywhere from 10-50 people each week. It’s a nice icebreaker for many people. Often veterans’ transitioning issues happen down the road. Hopefully, they, or a friend, will remember our services if they need them.”
Knott continues, “A primary focus right now is showing veterans the opportunities for work in the commercial fishing industry. We’ve been crabbing all season and are now transitioning to oystering (hand tonging and dredging), and we do some aquaculture too. We plan to add catfishing to our program, in line with Virginia’s initiatives to reduce the number of invasive blue catfish in the Bay. Currently we have one boat, but we’d like to expand our fleet as we grow a more robust maritime workforce development program.”
Volunteers, donations, and in-kind contributions are always welcomed and appreciated. Learn more at holdfast.vet.