Enchanted Rock

FINALLY!! A group of warriors from the Soldiers in Recovery Unit (formally the Warrior Transition Battalion) came to Fredericksburg on Thursday, May20, 2021 for a day “On the Rock”.

Upon arrival they were met by several Wounded Warriors at Nebo team members and greeted with breakfast tacos, homemade cinnamon roles and other breakfast items. We are firm believers that the Army travels on their stomach. It was a perfect day for climbing Enchanted Rock. It was high 60s when they started and mid 70s by lunch time. Those that didn’t want to climb the rock hiked some of the trails around it.

Several team members met our guests at Hondo’s on Main in Fredericksburg for lunch. All of the climbers were wearing big smiles and said they had really enjoyed “The Rock Area” and were grateful for the day out. It was a treat to visit and get to know them a little.

SSG Pantaleon Montes was gracious enough to share photos he took while exploring the Enchanted Rock area. See all the photos he shared by following this link http://wwnebo.org/photos.

Special thanks go to the following: Brad Findley who donated the breakfast tacos, Hondo’s on Main who gave us a discount, Tammi Searles who made the cinnamon rolls and of course to all of the Wounded Warriors at Nebo team members who participated in organizing and executing this event.

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Nimitz Golf Classic

On Friday, 11 September 2020, the Nimitz foundation hosted their annual Golf Classic. We were honored to be participants again this year. Eight (8) wounded warriors who love to golf were invited to play in the tournament as guests and one (1) to ride in the back seat of a WWII airplane. Some were medically retired and others active duty.

Most arrived on Thursday so they didn’t have to make the drive from San Antonio the morning of the tournament. They were treated to dinner at Hondo’s on Main and dessert at Clear River Ice Cream, Bakery & Deli who donated tickets for free ice cream.

Friday morning WWII airplanes flew over Boot Ranch ‘strafing’ the area where golfers were gathered waiting for the games to begin. One of the planes carried a former Ranger now living in San Antonio after being medically retired. Each of our golfers was placed with a foursome that welcomed them like old friends even providing a pointer or two along the way. In addition to playing golf there was an area to stop and shoot clay pigeons and another for shooting a crossbow. And lest anyone get hungry or thirsty, food & beverage stations were scattered throughout the golf course and beverage carts cruised the course. Admiral Nimitz and Senator Buckingham had their own golf cart and made it a point to stop and visit with golfers.

At the 19th hole celebration, it was obvious everyone had enjoyed the day. And to top it off, God blessed us with perfect weather. As if things couldn’t get better, there was a wounded warrior on each of the three winning teams. WHAT A DAY!!

While the guys were golfing, the families that had come with them were in Fredericksburg shopping, enjoying lunch at West End Pizza and also enjoying the beautiful cool weather.

Wounded Warriors at Nebo is grateful to the Nimitz Foundation for the opportunity to bring these brave young men out to the Hill Country for an incredible experience. Both Hondo’s on Main and West End Pizza worked with us to provide a fun safe dining experience in addition to donating some of the meals. And of course when you come to Fredericksburg you just have to indulge yourself at Clear River (who donated the ice cream and cookies). Thanks also go to The Inn on Baron’s Creek for the discounted rates!!

To view photos from this event click on “Photos” at top of page.

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February Cards

It always amazes me how cards reflect the maker’s personality. We provide a sample and supplies to make it but like finger prints no two cards are the same. There may be only subtle differences but they are different. Seems creativity comes to the surface during the class, inspiring the ‘students’ to do their own thing. We love seeing what individuals have done.

Remember we start at 10:00 a.m. (1000 hours). Unfortunately we have had to turn some folks away when they came in too late.

February 4th Cards

February 18th Class

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Homemade Cookies Anyone?

On Tuesdays after the card making class at the Warrior Family Support Center on Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, we pass out cookies to everyone in the center – even the cooks if we have enough. These are not something we picked up at H.E.B. No, they are HOMEMADE. And that makes all the difference in the world when offering them to these health conscious soldiers. It never fails, when receiving a “No thanks, mam” all we have to say is “They’re homemade” and a big smile appears along with a “Oh, that’s different”. There are even some who over the years have realized we have cookies and will seek us out for a sample.

We are only able to do this because members of the Ephraim Andrews Chapter of DAR in Fredericksburg have been making and donating 4 to 6 dozen cookies twice a month since 2013. After the January 21st class Jackie and Sharon captured some of the soldiers with their cookies.

It’s supporters like the DAR that helps Wounded Warriors at Nebo build relationships that in turn encourage Solders in Transition to participate in the events we offer.

View pictures of those happy faces by clicking on “Photos” at the top of Home Page.

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Alternative Gift Market

The weekend before Thanksgiving First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, TX held their Alternative Gift Market. This type of ‘Market’ is where charities from around the world setup tables with information regarding their organization so those wishing to do so can make a contribution for a friend or loved one in lieu of a gift from Amazon, Walmart, etc. For example one organization digs wells to provide clean drinking water in poor countries. Some participants had tangible items you could purchase made by people whose only source of income comes from the sale of these items. One such organization had soy candles of various sizes and fragrances made by women who have been rescued from sex trafficking.

This was the second year that Wounded Warriors at Nebo has been invited to participate. Our ‘Gifts’ were: Spiritual Fitness $10; Care Giver Respite $25; Couples in Crisis $50; Family Christmas R&R $100.

Richard & Sharon Ready to tell the Nebo story

Obviously receiving the donations is wonderful and helps us to continue serving veterans both active duty and retired. However, every bit as important is raising the viability of the ministry. It is amazing how many local people have never heard of us and what we do.

So thank you, First Presbyterian Church for including us in your market and thank you to all of the generous people who purchased gifts.

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A Beautiful Day to Golf

Boot Ranch has one of the premier golf courses in the country. Their generosity is equally incredible. Two weeks ago Alex Rhyne , the golf pro, told us they would like to have 12 – 16 warriors come play 9 holes of golf, complete with caddies and carts, as guests of Boot Ranch and asked us to provide the golfers. Of course we agreed and obtained approval to treat the warriors to lunch in the club house. Last Saturday, October 19, we met 11 warriors for lunch in the club house at Boot Ranch. Two men were accompanied by their wives and a young lady was there to ride along with her dad. After lunch the wives headed for Fredericksburg and shopping while the guys headed for the course. It was a beautiful day. Most of the warriors had only heard of Boot Ranch so were duly impressed. Those who had played it before were telling others how great it was.

It was so good to visit with old friends and make new ones. Everyone kept expressing their gratitude to Alex and the Wounded Warriors at Nebo team for the opportunity to play and the recognition of their service. They explained how these types of events help with their continuing recovery process.

As a bonus God answered a prayer with that event. The ministry has been praying for guidance and received it in the form of two of the attendees. One works through the Warrior Transition Battalion creating events to get soldiers out and keep them active. The other gentleman has similar responsibilities for the Navy. Both told us “We need to have a meeting and see how we can help each other.” We are excited!!

The only out of pocket expense for our guests was their transportation (except for souvenirs).

View photos from the event by clicking on “Photos” on the Home Page menu bar then select the Boot Ranch albumn.

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Marines in Seguin

June 14th started bright and early for Jackie, Dottie & Sharon as they were joining Marines from the Marine Annex, Fort Sam Houston at the Lazy U Ranch in Seguin for their town hall meeting. We arrived about 9 a.m. and were greeted by Brandon, our POC and several others who took the peach cobblers (still warm) to the kitchen area for us while we joined other marines and their families in the pavilion just as the meeting began. We were one of several organizations who had been invited to address the families letting them know what our organizations do and how they can participate. After the presentations everyone disbursed to enjoy being outdoors and some of the many activities available. We provided lunch from Bill Millers BBQ with dessert of fresh peach cobbler from Clear River Pecan Co., Fredericksburg. Of course there was ice cream for the warm cobbler. It was a beautiful day to be outside with just enough breeze to keep from being hot. In addition to fishing and canoeing there was archery complete with an instructor, board games and miscellaneous other games to keep everyone busy & involved. Fun day with good people.

Photos from the event can be viewed in the album “Marines in Seguin” by clicking on photos at the top of the page.

Like us on Facebook.com/ww.nebo

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Nimitz Golf Classic

Every year the Nimitz foundation has a golf tournament as part of their fund-raising activities. This year Wounded Warriors at Nebo was honored to be a part of that. We had three warriors who rode back seat in WWII airplanes doing a fly over to kick off the golf tournament at Boot Ranch Golf Club. Saying they were excited is obviously an understatement. All had flying experience but said this was like nothing they had ever done. In addition, there were 8 golfers who participated in the actual golf tournament. It was a perfect day with a breeze to offset the high temperatures. One of the joys of this event was seeing wounded warriors and their family again whom we hadn’t seen since they were medically retired. Each golfer was paired with a foursome. It was obvious at the close that new friendships had been made. Anthony Iwuchukwu, one of our wounded warriors, was on the team winning 3rd place in the tournament. What a wonderful day.

To see more pictures click on “Photos” at the top of the page. They are also posted on our facebook page.

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Kick Up Your Boots

May 26th was our annual fundraiser featuring Bernie Nelson and Thomas Michael Riley in concert. What a great night!! Great Music! Packed Crowd! Generous People! It was a perfect storm. People were competitively bidding on silent auction items and trying not to miss any of the great music. We interrupted the music from time to time to draw prizes. Grand prize, $1,200 toward a cruise from any port to any destination, was won by Nathan Crenwelge. Second prize, $1,000 in $50 gift cards went to Jim Heupel. Third prize, $550 cash, to Farley Hemphill. In addition, there were multiple gift baskets, gift cards, etc won. People’s generosity was overwhelming and not just those attending the concert but all who purchased tickets for the drawing and donated items for the silent auction. In addition to the numerous local supporters (Fredericksburg and surrounding area) there were many who were visiting our fair town from Houston, Midland, New Mexico to name a few. GOD really blessed this fund raising event. Proceeds will help WWAN to provide respite to the wounded, injured, & ill active military, medically retired veterans and their families.

In a true act of selflessness and generosity, several winners of both the drawings and silent auction items immediately gave their winnings to a warrior(s) attending the concert or donated their winnings back to WWAN to be used at a future event for the warriors.

SPECIAL THANKS to Western Edge Cellars who provided the space for the concert and their staff for excellent service, Inn on Barons Creek for discounted rates for the warriors who attended and all the tireless volunteers whose labor is priceless.

Click on “Photos” on the menu at the top of the page to see more photos from the fundraiser.

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Evening of Elegance 2/9/2019

A special note of thanks to Kris Lara for her help with this article.

Couples, dressed in semi-formal attire, gathered at Maggiano’s Restaurant at the Rim for a special evening designed to remind couples of the little things that keep a marriage alive – things that can often be forgotten or taken for granted. The mood was set with heart shaped balloons and chocolate decorating the tables. Building Blocks for a Healthy Marriage was the theme of this magical evening.

Chaplain Thompson started the evening with some ‘ice breaker’ games which require couples to interact with each other and other couples. Except for the entrée which each individual selected, appetizers and dinner were served family style thus everyone was able to sample several different dishes. By all reports the meal and service were outstanding.

Later the guest speaker, Dr. Yancosek, spoke about how important communication is to a healthy relationship. She stressed that couples need to honor and respect each other and how to reconnect during troubled times. Dr. Yancosek’s presentation was followed by Mrs. Thompson who reiterated the importance of communication in maintaining and strengthening a marriage. She also shared information about their new baby boy.

Entertainment was provided by Kezia Brel who played the guitar and sang while the couples socialized. A total of 44 people attended the event.

To view more photos from the event click this link https://wwnebo.org/photos and select the album “Evening of Elegance”.