Saying Goodbye to the Burgess Family

Sharon Massey, Dan & Genette on R&R weekend

Last Monday, May 19, Dan Burgess' retirement ceremony was held at WFSC (Warrior Family Support Center).  Jackie Heupel, Susan Quindry & I were on the road early so we wouldn't be late.  Dan, Genette, Kaylee & Gracie have become family to us.  You see, Genette & Dan have been making cards with us since about the third or fourth class we taught at WFSC.  About 20 minutes into that class this guy with a great smile rolls into the room totally disrupting the class.  Genette introduced him and he is very proud of the fact that he signed her up for the class.  Seems Genette is an avid card maker and was unable to bring her supplies with her.  That was the beginning of a great relationship.  We dubbed Dan our "Poster Boy". No matter what was going on with him medically, he always had a great smile and of course a wise crack.  One of the first things he told us was "If you ladies want to lose weight really fast, step on an IED".  You can imagine what it was like once he got to know us.

This was the first retirement ceremony I've seen and for me it was moving.  We learned that Dan had been:

• medically discharged once before but wanted to continue to serve his country so he joined the Reserves and was deployed to Afghanistan;
• wounded by his encounter with an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan with the 350th Psychological Operations Company.

Genette was also recognized for her devotion to taking care of Dan and for the help she has been to WFSC, Fisher House & the battalion.  One of the things she did was testify in Washington D.C. regarding the inequities of benefits for wounded reservists.  They do not get the same benefits as an enlisted wounded soldier.

Colonel Edwards presenting Medal

Congratulations & Presentation of Flag

After the speakers were finished and had presented Dan with a medal, an American flag and several certificates, it was Dan's turn.

He called his "girls" up with him and acknowledged he couldn't have gotten through everything without them thanking them for putting up with him even when he was difficult. It was so wonderful to see the love these four people have for each other.

Susan & Jackie with Dan

Then Dan recognized people in the audience who had been instrumental in his treatment & recovery, i.e. trauma nurses, Judith Markeltz, etc.  There were many more but my memory is short.

Gracie, Kaylee, Jackie & Susan

When he was finished and everyone had a chance to tell the family congratulations and goodbye the ceremony moved inside for cake and punch.

Dan actually cut the cake with LOTS of Supervision

Dan, Genette, Kaylee and Gracie we will miss you but are so excited for you and your new adventure in Florida.  GOD Bless you and keep you safe.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ww.nebo to see more photos.  Thanks go to the military photographers who shared some photos with us.

Generosity Abounds

Some of the Wounded Warriors & Family from this weekend.

Thank you seems so inadequate when someone helps make something extra special for special people.  It would be impossible for this ministry to function without the support of generous individuals and businesses. Oh, we could continue to teach cards at the Warrior Family Support Center.  But providing a relaxing fun get away weekend for the men & women who serve our country to preserve our freedom requires more resources.  It requires and has been blessed with donations that allow it to continue reaching out to help these brave young men & women.

This past weekend, May 2-4 is no exception.  Local merchants provided discounts.  Other businesses and individuals made donations of various items including food, transportation, housing, time, etc.  Following is a list of these generous donations.  If by chance we omit you, please know that GOD knows of your participation and we are only human.

Weekend Housing Donated:

• C.C. Gibbons
• Debbi McCurdy
• Shirley & Carl Petmecky
• Curtis Woodard
• Royce Ann Baethge
• Robert Deming & Jami Carroll
• John & Peggy Benson
• Day Dream Cabins - Discounted

Friday Night Dinner & Bingo:

• Evangelical Free Church - Dinner
• Blumenhandler Florist (Dianna and Don Blount) - Large Wood Cross - $31.95 value
• Wild Creations (Stacey and Stephen York) - All the Kids Gift Bags, $20 Gift Certificate, $10 Gift Certificate, Necklace and Earring Set-$70 value, Bracelet and Earring Set-$30 value and Gift Bags for all of the other prizes.
• Agave Gallery (John and Kathy Bennett) - $25 HEB Gift Card
• Dutchman's Market, Inc. - $20 Gift Card
• Tractor Supply - Universal Traveler Battery Charger
• Keller Williams (Barbara Segner) nd Sound Wave Electronics (Tommy Segner) - Weather Radio
• Whataburger (Cesar Gutierres) - 12 Gift Bags full of Hats, Pens, Frisbees, Beach Balls, Koozies and Coupons for FREE Hamburgers.

Saturday:

• Hill Country Express Tours - Transportation and Driver - Donated
• El Milagro Restaruant - 20% Discount
• The Spa at The Inn on Baron's Creek - 50% Discount
• Above and Beyond Spa - 50% Discount
• The Peach Tree Restaurant - $50 Gift Certificate for use on lunch.

All we can say is Thank you ALL for your support.  You Rock!!!

GOD Bless You ALL

Day of Pampering

Thirteen Wounded Warrior caregivers from San Antonio were treated to a "Day of Pampering" in Fredericksburg, Friday, May 2nd, by Wounded Warriors at Nebo.  Stacy Johnson, the event planner, Sharon Massey and Rhonda Strelke greeted the lovely ladies as they rolled into town at 9 a.m.

They were treated by Josie and the rest of the staff  at "El Milagro" Restaurant to a quick breakfast of scrumptious muffins, scones and coffee before being whisked away to relaxing pedicures or massages at two local spas.  Thank you to manager Kelly Miller and her crew at "The Spa at the Inn on Baron's Creek" and the ladies at "Above and Beyond Spa" for the wonderful half-price services  they so generously provided for the caregivers.  A happy and refreshed group of ladies emerged!

While waiting their turn to enjoy spa treatments, the ladies had an hour  to shop the shops on Main. There were several  bags with treasures to take home with many being gifts for their children.  Next on the agenda was a delicious lunch  at "The Peach Tree" who kindly gave us a gift certificate to help defray the cost.

Now with everyone relaxed and well fed, it was off to Becker Winery to savor some of their fine wines and tour the facility. Hill Country Express Tours provided both the driver and van as a donation.

The lavender fields were in full bloom and added to the pleasant winery experience.  Another  stop at 4.0 Cellars  was scheduled, but  time didn't allow, so we returned the ladies to their awaiting luxury bus by 4:30 p.m.

By the comments and contented expressions, it was apparent the ladies had had a well-deserved "Day of Pampering", and were sent home to their families with pretty pedicures, smiles and new friends.

Thank you, Fredericksburg, for being a wonderful host!

Like us on Facebook and see more photos of the event.

Marvelous May

I love being involved with this ministry. People are always thanking the ministry team for what we do, but  they have no idea what a blessing and joy it is to be with our wounded warriors.  When we see the spirit and bravery with which they are handling the many problems they are encountering as a result of serving us it humbles us and encourages us to face our own difficulties with more grace.

AND they are so much fun and that was not more evident than at our last two May events.  Friday, May 2, started, with an R&R for care providers.  The team arrived first at El Milagro's restaurant. The room was deadly quiet when we arrived.  The early morning customers were having whispered conversations and looked liked they desperately need a shot a caffeine right into their veins.  However, when our ladies arrived the room was immediately filled with laughter, giggling and tons of energy.

Rhoda Reynolds, Debbie Campbell & Stacy Johnson

That set the tone for the second event that began the evening of the same day, our May R&R.  The Evangelical Free Church hosted the dinner.  A host of their members helped cook, set up, and serve a delightful meal.  We were able to catch three of them in the kitchen.

Stephen & Stacey York Calling Bingo

Stephen and Stacey York collected many gifts from our wonderful and very generous businesses in Fredericksburg to make a night of bingo possible.  We will list all of their names in another blog.

Waiting for the Next Number to be Called

At Museum

Saturday the families were allowed to sleep in if they chose, but most decided to take advantage of the many things our area has to offer.   They went to The National Museum of the Pacific War, the Lavender Festival at the Becker Vineyards, the LBJ Texas White House and the Sauer Beckman living history farm. They went through  art galleries and, of course, hit the many shops on Main St.

At lunch we all gathered for great food at West End Pizza.  They started off with our choice of salads

and then brought us out a great variety of pizzas.  To top it off, if one of our guest had a favorite that was not already out they would make one especially for that person. WOW!

Wyatt Hams it Up While Mom & Dad Watch

After lunch our families continued their excursions in the area.  They met us for dinner at Cultures Bar and Grill. Good food and great company.






Afterwards, Sloan Ruth, the owner of Fritztown Cinema, treated all of our guests to a free movie AND free popcorn and a drink. Double WOW!!!

The Amazing Spiderman Crew

All of our families were provided with Sunday breakfast. Some of our supporting congregations were thrilled to have several of the wounded warrior families in worship with them!

This weekend seemed special to us.  We fell in love with our guests and they seemed to have such a good time and really bonded with each other.

Like us on Facebook and see a lot more photos of the weekend in the May R&R Album.