Company B Family Day

On a hot summer day in August for a few hours families came together, they put the hardships and demands of work and recovery on hold to celebrate life. The Fredericksburg Wounded Warriors at Nebo  helped bring relaxation and spiritual mending to some of our most deserving service men and women.


 
On August 14, 2015 approximately 35 veterans and their families converged on the Lazy U Ranch located in Seguin Texas. Nestled under majestic pecan and cypress trees is a piece of heaven. Families took part in archery, fishing, kayaking, self defense classes, swimming, and board games. Some braved the old fashion rope swing and others sat back and simply enjoyed the peacefulness of children's laughter and the bond only blood brothers and sisters could understand. There was also bingo, bike riding and a good old fashion Texas barbecue. 


The true art of service is to give without expectation, through the hard work of many, families that have sacrificed so much were blessed to at least for this day come together to enjoy what being a American hero is all about! 

 Like us  on Face Book and see more pictures from this event!! 

 

Company A's Day Out aka Expanding the Ministry

In the beginning of this ministry we believed our mission was to minister to the wounded, injured  and ill.  Then, through experience and talking with the soldiers, care providers and chaplain, events were expanded to include the warrior's family.  You see, there were numerous offers of hunting & fishing trips, activities like bowling, skiing, golf, etc. all directed at the warrior; but very little for the family to experience as a family unit. So we started focusing on the entire family when planning events.  It is amazing how many times we have heard "It's great to be able to do things as a family" or "It's so seldom we get to getaway and play as a family", etc.  Thankfully we never stop learning and listening to God.

Over the past couple of years it has become apparent that the warriors are not the only ones needing a break and to be "loved on". Chaplain Ginsburg has helped us to understand that the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) staff  need a break now and then also.  You see, they walk side by side with the wounded, injured and ill through their physical and mental healing, therapy, frustrations and victories.  They insure the warriors get to their appointments, help guide them through the WTB maze and offer moral support and friendship. Staff share some of the stress and frustrations of the warriors especially those who were once wounded themselves.

While the wounded, injured and ill have priority for attending WWAN events, we have been including staff to fill events.  Then last September we sponsored a "Chaplain's Day Out".  Recently some of the WTB commanders asked if we would coordinate an event specifically for staff and their family members.  After much discussion and prayer we agreed.

Stacy Johnson & Nancy Russell with breakfast items

On July 31st at least forty (40) staff members from Company A, WTB and family members traveled to the Lazy U Ranch, Seguin, TX for a day of play and renewal.  The 100 acre ranch which is bordered by the Guadeloupe River and Lake Placid provides an ideal area for kayaking and other water sports or just splashing around.  There are also lots of trails for bicycling and hiking.   For those wanting something less physical, board games, archery and bean bag toss are available.

As participants arrived they picked up breakfast items and headed to the pavilion to see who was there and what was going on.

 

Cyclists cruising

  It wasn't long before the self defense instructors had a class going, cyclists were cruising around the ranch, archery lessons and lots of games were in progress.

Learning Basic moves for Self Defense

Godly Grilliers

Soon the Godly Grillers arrived and started cooking sausage and chicken for lunch.  The Godly Grillers are a volunteer group from  Community Bible Church in San Antonio (check out their Facebook page CBC-Godly-Grilliers).  They are a generous fun bunch of guys in addition to being good cooks.


  

As we were finishing lunch the kayaks arrived from Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos.  Thanks to Ben Kvanli for donating their use.

Brad passing out Koloches

Saying thank you is not nearly enough to express our appreciation to Brad Bowen, Adaptive Sports Military Program.  He arranged for the kayaks, bicycles, instructors for archery and self defense.  There's probably more that I'm missing but it's safe to say that Brad "Made It Happen".  On top of that Brad is simply a nice man who cares.



Of course Craig and Nancy Russell, Lazy U owners, were right in the middle of all the activities making everyone feel welcome and sharing the history of the ranch and memorial.  Thank you for making your ranch available for recreational activities for the military and creating the SS American Memorial. 

To see more photographs of the event like us on facebook.com/ww.nebo 

Down The Lazy River

On October 2 several Wounded Warriors traveled from Fort San Houston to San Marcos for a day of fun.  Ben Kvanli, owner of Olympic Out Door Center, provided kayaks and fees for the float were waived.  Brad Bowen from Adaptive Sports Military Program accompanied the warriors and was right there to offer assistance when needed.  It was a beautiful day to be on the water!!

Two members of Eikon Church floated and visited with the warriors making them feel welcome.  The church also provided lunch for everyone.

This is the first event WWAN has hosted in San Marcos and hopefully the first of many.

Many thanks to Eikon Church for "feeding the troops" and being a welcoming presence.

Thank you Ben for providing all the equipment for the float, waiving fees, etc.

And a special thanks to Brad who is always willing to assist us whether it's finding warriors who would benefit and enjoy an outing, recruiting other coaches/helpers and helping at the event. Your awesome!!

Chaplain's Get a Break

When I hear "Chaplain" I think of them ministering to the sick, wounded, troubled, etc.  Chaplain Ginsburg explained that a constant diet of this causes Compassion Fatigue.  In other words they need a break!  That's just what they got.

A day of refreshing, relaxing and renewal was enjoyed by the Chaplains of BAMC.

The Wounded Warriors at Nebo hosted the chaplains at Craig Russell's Lazy U Ranch in Seguin on Friday, September 5.  There were 31 chaplains and family members present.

The quiet outdoors nestled near Lake Placid not only enabled some to sit quietly by the water and catch up on reading scripture but also enabled some to kayak and swim on that lazy stream of water.  Others enjoyed archery, washers, ball toss, chess, scrabble and just plain visiting.

The Seguin First Baptist Church provided a delicious lunch of brisket with all the trimmings  Oh and don't forget those wonderful deserts!

We look forward to our next event at Lazy U Ranch.

Like us on Facebook and see all the pictures of the Chaplain's Day Out.

New Feature

Just finished adding a "button" on the right side of the blog that takes you to our Newsletter!!  Now you can download it or read it on line.  Woo Hoo!!

To use it go to the right of this blog and scroll down until you see "Newsletter" and click on "download" which is directly beneath it.

Issue 7 is currently available.  The next one should be available early October as we publish quarterly.  Hope you enjoy it.

Special thanks to Don Doss who made this possible!!

Words From The Heart

We all get those "Do Not Delete" "Pass On" emails.  If your like me practically all of them go in the trash.  There are exceptions and I just finished reading one which I feel compelled to share through this blog. This is just one of several poems written by Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

Although it was written by and addresses the Marines it applies to all of those brave men & women serving their country so we Americans can live in the way to which we have become accustomed.

Following the poem is the letter that Corporal Gilbert sent to his father.  Enjoy!!

Hooah & God Bless!

THE MARINE

We all came together,

Both young and old

To fight for our freedom,

To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil,

We stand our ground,

And we protect our country

From all terror around..

Peace and not war,

Is what some people say.

But I'll give my life,

So you can live the American way.

I give you the right

To talk of your peace.

To stand in your groups,

And protest in our streets.

But still I fight on,

I don't bitch, I don't whine.

I'm just one of the people

Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails,

Stronger than any machine.

I'm the immortal soldier,

I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,

And leave from your home.

Fight for the people who hate you,

With the protests they've shown.

Fight for the stranger,

Fight for the young.

So they all may have,

The greatest freedom you've won.

Fight for the sick,

Fight for the poor.

Fight for the cripple,

Who lives next door.

But when your time comes,

Do what I've done.

For if you stand up for freedom,

You'll stand when the fight's done

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps

USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

July 23
Hey Dad,
Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US and Canada and The World. I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don't have much time anyway.
You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in his inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know. And I do.. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.
Aaron

Breaking the Silence

WOW, it's been a while since we posted. Guess I need to bring you up to date on what's happening with the ministry.  Based on the lack of participation last summer, 2013, we decided to suspend R&R weekends until September.  By doing this it has given the ministry team and volunteers a much needed rest.  

Card classes at WFSC continue on the first and third Tuesday of each month.  If you haven't been in a while or have never participated please consider joining us. Class begins at 10 A.M. and is usually over by 11:30-12.  We then visit over a light lunch.  Everyone makes two cards which they take home with them. Incidentally, this class is NOT exclusive to women - many men have joined in the fun.

Three of the team members design the cards and teach the class.  Just as personalities are different, so are the designs.  Lisa's cards are whimsical. Many are designs specifically for kids.  Jackie loves bold color while Sharon leans toward softer hues.  All three designers are talented and provide beautiful fun cards for us to make. They never repeat a design.

Inside Blank

The ministry continues to work with Chaplain Ginsburg identifying needs and planning events.  The ministry is also expanding, but more on that later.

Be Blessed!!

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.

Bar Raising

Nancy & Craig Russell

Saturday, April 5, Sharon Massey, Susan Quindry & I went to the Lazy U Ranch for a "Bar Raising".  Lest you get the wrong idea, I'd better explain.  Craig & Nancy Russell, owners of the Lazy U Ranch and benefactors of the Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry (WWAN) have been working with wounded warriors for about 2 1/2 years.

Memorial to Veterans

 Part of the evolution of their property is transforming a building built by hand by Nancy's father into a memorial honoring all veterans.

Bronze Plaque on Front of Building

One of the things decorating the interior is an antique bar they have had restored.  The "Bar Raising" was putting the back bar in place.  It took about 3 hours to raise it from the floor, place it on its base and move it into position.  What a beautiful site!!  I can hardly wait to see the rest of it in place.

Restored Antique Bar Back

There will be many other works of art displayed inside.  Keep checking their website, http:/lazyuranch.com, to follow progress on the memorial.  

Being early April, the trip from the gate to the main house was breath taking.  Everything was turning green, blue bonnets were everywhere and in the middle of it all were long horn cattle.

Imagine yourself as a wounded warrior living in the chaos of non-stop appointments, paperwork, etc. being invited out here for the day. The effect is like stepping into another world and that's why the Russell's and WWAN are working together to create events here for the warriors.

For more information about the ranch visit their website.