A Legacy of Service: How Eric Divine Honors His Late Wife Through Community Connection
Photo by Karen Presecan
On a peaceful farm in Hartwood, Courtland Divine—Eric to most who know him—tends to his Shetland sheep, Nigerian dwarf goats, and chickens while his Great Pyrenees, Beau, patrols the property. It's the kind of life he and his late wife Julie Ann dreamed of when they fell in love with this place in 2018, and it's where he continues her remarkable legacy of service to others.
Eric and Julie's story began in the marching band at Murray State University in Kentucky, where college sweethearts would cap off their evenings with a simple ritual. "After band or martial arts training, we would walk to the corner gas station and get two cups of Häagen-Dazs ice cream and walk around the campus," Eric recalls. Those walks marked the beginning of a partnership that would span decades and touch countless lives.
Their shared passion for martial arts deepened their bond; Julie became Eric's first student to earn a black belt when he took over a dojo in 1992. That spirit of dedication and achievement would characterize both their lives and the values they'd pass on to their four daughters.
From Classroom to Barracks to Community
Eric's professional journey reflects a life of varied service. With a Bachelor's degree in music education, he taught K-12 general music and band in Kentucky's public school system from 1994 to 2000. But the call to serve in a different capacity led him back to military life in 2000, when he enlisted in the Army as a fife musician in the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, one of four special Army bands.
During his time stationed at Fort Belvoir, Eric expanded his teaching beyond music to include martial arts, self-defense, law enforcement defense tactics, and Army Combatives. He retired in 2019, accounting for his prior service in the Marine Corps Reserve during college. Meanwhile, Julie worked with military housing, managing Woodlawn Village from 2008 to 2013.
Today, Eric works part-time at Raven Rocks Precision and instructs martial arts at Empower Martial Arts Academy. He also runs Compass Protection Solutions, which provides personal protection and AVERT (Active Violence Immediate Response Training) to individuals, groups, and businesses.
A Family Rooted in Strength and Creativity
The Divines raised four daughters, each carving her own distinctive path. Harley, the oldest, channels her athletic abilities and leadership skills into her work as a manager at Allen Rubber Inc. in Philadelphia. Alana, the family's only lefty, taught herself to crochet by watching her mother and now designs crocheted clothing and crafts while performing at Kings Dominion during their Haunt season.
Erika, a talented baker, is a stay-at-home mom to Eric's grandson, Dakota. "She is crafty and has a big heart. She enjoys animals— all animals," Eric notes, pride evident in his description. After time in North Carolina, Erika and Dakota recently moved back home to be closer to family.
The youngest, Chloee, combined her athletic background in rugby with technical problem-solving skills to become a plumber for Smooth Plumbing. "[She’s] the only one of us that figured out the method for solving various types of Rubik's Cubes," Eric says, adding that she’s also helped with his home renovation projects.
Honoring Julie's Extraordinary Spirit
While Eric's accomplishments are impressive in their own right, he's quick to acknowledge the woman who made it all possible. "Much of what I accomplished was inspired and supported by my late wife. She was amazing— biggest heart and giver to others," he reflects.
Julie's impact extended far beyond her family. She created crochet items for emotional support—hats and blankets—that she donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Her volunteerism earned her the prestigious Dr. Mary E. Walker Award for outstanding service to the military. "She loved her family and welcomed the community," Eric says.
Continuing the Mission
Now, Eric is determined to honor Julie's memory through continued service. "My goal is not only to continue with my goals of running Compass Protection Solutions but also to continue her legacy of giving back through the farm," he explains.
That commitment takes many forms. Eric wrote a children's book, "Hop and Never Stop," based on a real rabbit from the farm. He visits local schools to read to students, bringing one of his bunnies for children to pet afterward. The farm itself has become a community resource, with Eric offering tours to local groups—precisely the kind of welcoming, educational outreach Julie championed.
The farm, named TripleBFarms, in Hartwood holds special meaning for Eric. "Living here is peaceful and reminds us of where we both grew up," he says, noting that he and Julie came from small towns just 30 minutes apart in Kentucky. Summer days on his grandfather's farm taught him the value of that agricultural life, and he looked forward to having his own piece of that heritage.
The couple also discovered something else in Hartwood: "We have amazing neighbors. We enjoyed cookouts together and eagerly volunteered to help each other out whenever needed." That sense of community connection Julie fostered continues, with neighbors watching pets during vacations and gathering throughout the year.
As Eric moves forward, surrounded by animals, neighbors, and the life he built with Julie, her influence remains palpable. Through his protection training, martial arts instruction, children's book readings, and farm tours, Eric is ensuring that Julie’s spirit of generosity and community service endures—one bunny visit, one safety training, one open gate at a time.
