Day Event
Brad Bowen, DOD Military Adaptive Sports Program, brought three wounded warriors from the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Sam Houston to Fredericksburg to help a local rancher thin the deer on his property. While the ministry doesn’t promote or arrange hunting trips we do provide the ranchers with military contacts. Both the rancher and the warriors benefit.
Day Event
The following provided by Jackie Heupel and Sharon Massey
The Wounded Warriors at Nebo treated seven warrior families, a total of 30 adults and children, to a day at the Natural Bridge Caverns in Schertz on June 16th. We gathered in a beautiful grove of old oaks with picnic tables next to the main information building at 10:00. Soon after, the group went with one of the park guides for a tour of the Maze. Once they returned, we all had a wonderful lunch of barbecue beef and hot dogs followed by several desert choices provided by Diane Smith, Annie Matthews, Dusty Smith, and Debbi McCurdy of the Republican Women from Fredericksburg. Lunch was followed by another group tour, this time of the cave itself. By the time the tour was over it was 2:00 and everyone began their trips home.
The day was a true gift from God, and the location of our picnic was so well shaded by the oaks that we hardly noticed the heat of a Texas summer day. As usual, the food and fellowship were wonderful and everyone seemed to have had a delightful time together in the park.
A special thank you is owed to the ladies of the Republican Women of Fredericksburg.
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The Fredericksburg Fly Fishers Club hosted a fishing day out for eight (8) soldiers from Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio on May 19. When the soldiers arrived they were greeted by club members who assisted them in getting their rod and reel ready and selecting bait. They then accompanied “their guest” to a fishing spot and stayed with them visiting and tutoring where necessary since for some this was an entirely new experience.
They were fishing for bass although there were also hungry perch in the lake. It was catch and release so the excitement of catching fish was what was important. The first fish caught was about a two pound bass!! Naturally it was caught by the one person who on arrival stated “I am not going to fish”. By the end of the day everyone had caught at least one fish.
Lunch was from Backwoods Barbecue followed by yummy HOMEMADE desserts made by Fellowship Connection First Baptist Church. After everyone stuffed themselves they went back for more fishing and or kayaking.
As they were getting ready to leave, the soldiers revisited the dessert table for something to ‘munch on’ on the drive back to San Antonio. There were lots of smiling faces as people said their goodbyes.
Volunteers: Jackson and Judy Leddy, Roger Eppright, Gary Killion, David Cross, Jon Morse, Bob Spencer, Buddy Phillips, Lawrence Zenner, Keith Masters, Joe Salinas, Larry Ottmers who also donated 2 rods and Earl Robinette
Sponsors:
Day Event
Several friends at WFSC (Warrior Family Support Center) kept asking us to plan a day in Fredericksburg for them to come out and make cards. Those plans finally came together on April 27. The plan was to meet at the Cypress Room at Fredericksburg Inn and Suites where everyone would make four cards in the morning and four after lunch. As it turned out only half of the people signed up were able to come due to appointments, etc. , which meant the people who intended to teach were able to relax and make cards and visit. There was also a special treat for the guests. They each got a 30 minute chair massage!! What a fun day!!!
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Early Saturday morning, May 13, seventeen volunteers gathered at the Wildseed Farm gazebo to hand out water during the Women’s Wildflower Run. This was the third year Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry was given the opportunity to “earn” a nice donation . Volunteers handed water and gatorade out to the runners while enjoying the beautiful morning and gardens. We are grateful to Bill Gardner, Run in Texas, for the opportunity to participate again. Of course we couldn’t have done it without the following volunteers:
Dottie Pieper, Sharon Massey, Michelle Reson, Ed Fredericks, Betsy Fredericks, Lavern Boos, Kathy Parrish, Diane Smith, Fred Nardini, Judy Nardini, Diane Boerner, Terry Harrison, Diana Harrison, Coleen Hickman, Sharon Ginder, Lisa Callahan and Susan Stephens.
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Last Friday (4/21/17) Sharon and I met Chaplain Thompson (WTB, HHC) and nine couples in Seguin at the SS American Memorial aka Lazy U Ranch. It was a perfect day to be outside especially in such a beautiful setting. The property has the Guadalupe River on one side and Lake Placid on another. When we arrived, the couples were already a “Marriage Wellness” session with the chaplain. This gave us the opportunity to meet and visit with three veterans who help run and maintain the property. You see, the owner has dedicated the property to helping those who are or have served their country. To visit their website Click Here or go to ‘Related Links’ above.
The chaplain gave everyone a short break, long enough to grab donuts or kaloches and a beverage and to say hello to us before heading back for more words of wisdom. Lunch was Bill Miller Barbecue chicken and brisket. WOW! what a treat! There was another session following lunch then everyone was on their own. They had the option of staying and enjoying the weather, kayaking, playing games or leaving. Ben Kavnli, Olympic Outdoor Center, San Marcos was at the river helping all who were adventurous enough to kayak. Ben has generously provided the kayaks, help and/or instructions at our events for several years now. It’s so humbling to see how these warriors handle their ‘New Normal” and help each other. Rather puts our minor aches and pains into perspective.
Special Thanks to Ben for his generosity. To check out his website Click Here or go to “Related Links” at the top of this page.
Photos of the event are in the album “Marriage Wellness”. Click on Photos at the top of this page.
Thanks to Craig Russell, owner of SS American Memorial ( website ) It’s nice to be back in Seguin.
Ryan and Brandon, THANK YOU for all the help with setup, cleanup and everything else!!
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Nine Marines (7 patients and 2 staff) met the WWAN team at Clear River Pecan Co. for breakfast then headed out to Street Dreams to tour the facility and meet members of the Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club for a ride in the country. After looking and photographing cars in Street Dreams, the warriors were told to pick the car they wanted to ride in from those in the parking lot. Talk about a scramble!! They headed out Olive street towards Willow City. The owner of Harry’s Bar in Willow City is a Marine and wanted them to stop for a snack, music and stretch. There was some “Musical Cars” as they loaded up to continue the tour. From there we headed back into town to Backwoods BBQ for lunch. As if that wasn’t enough food for the day we had to end the adventure where it began at Clear River for ice cream!!
It was a perfect day to be outside. Everyone enjoyed the ride. THANK YOU, THANK YOU Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club!! Sharon and I were at Ft Sam the next day and saw several of the Marines that had been here. They were still talking about how much they enjoyed visiting with you all and of course the great ride. Our thanks also to Backwoods BBQ and Clear River Pecan Co. for your generosity.
For more photos of the event click on the PHOTO button at the top of the page and go to ‘Vintage Car’ album. Click on these links to see cars entering parking lot at restaurant. 1st half 2nd Half Also, see us on Facebook. http://facebook.com/ww.nebo
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Zack Taylor, a Marine whose current assignment at the CFI (Center for the Intrepid) is training and helping amputees learn to use their new limb (s) contacted Sharon Massey our Event Coordinator to see if the ministry would help them. Since the Marine had previously met us he was familiar with the ministry and hoped we would provide lunch for the group he was taking to a gun range in Converse. He explained they were all either wounded, injured or ill in treatment (most were amputees). As part of their training the ‘patients’ go to the gun range to maintain or regain their proficiency with weapons. In addition, the facility is rocky has uneven surfaces, inclines, loose gravel, etc. (rather than a nice flat concrete surface) which teaches them how to use their new limbs on less than perfect terrain.
Some of the people in the group will be redeployed after they complete training and physical therapy; others will be medically discharged
On Tuesday, March 28th, we picked up box lunches from Clear River Pecan Company and took them along with some homemade desserts to the gun range. We were fortunate enough to see where they were training and then while they were eating tell them about the ministry. Since they only had a thirty minute break for lunch there was no time for conversations with individuals. Before we left we told them there would be pizza for lunch the next day. We had visions of ordering the pizzas and having them delivered so none of the ministry team would have to make the drive from Fredericksburg. Unfortunately no one delivers to the gun range so it looked like we would be back the next day. You’ve heard the saying “What goes around comes around”. We stopped for lunch and met Paul & Paula Shreves who have been to several of the ministry events. We were telling them about the no delivery problem and they offered to take care of it for us since they live in San Antonio. Paul is a retired wounded warrior so they both understood how important the knowledge is to these men and women that someone appreciated what they had and are going through. Even if that appreciation was expressed with sandwiches, pizza and yummy desserts.
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The Lazy U Ranch aka SS American Memorial in Seguin was the perfect place for the Marine Command and Care Team to meet. The meeting served several purposes the first being planning and second doing a risk assessment on the property for potential future events involving their patients. When all the business was taken care of there was still time for some much needed relaxation. The property sits with the Guadalupe River on one side where it flows into Lake Placid. It’s great for water sports, fishing, biking, or just hanging out in the beautiful outdoors.
Craig Russell, property owner, joined Sharon, Jackie and Susan to make the Marines feel welcome. There’s the saying “An Army Travels on its Stomach”. That applies to all military so WWAN arranged for lunch from Bill Miller’s B-B-Q.
Now that warm weather is back, we will probably have more events there.
Thanks Craig for your generosity!!
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Sharon & I got to Enchanted Rock before the gate opened and got permission to go in and claim tables for the Chaplain and his group. The plan was that we would save tables so that after everyone finished their hike up the rock they would join us for some delicious BBQ chicken and all the trimmings. Well, about 30 minutes before the group arrived GOD changed those plans. Rain poured from the sky. Enough that the park ranger told us the trails were closed until they were completely dry since the rock is very slick when wet. So after talking with the Chaplain we made arrangements for them to go through the Museum of the Pacific War then meet us at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church for lunch.
All in all everyone had a nice relaxing time and some even took the opportunity to explore a little of main street.
Special Thanks to David Wiemers for cooking the wonderfully tasty chicken, to Jan Unger and Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, and of course to the Museum for the special rates. And we certainly cannot forget those providing food – Vedena Brown, Barbara Wilcox, Diane Smith for Republican Women, Kaye Telle, Peggy Benson, Laverne Boos and Susan Quindry.