activities for veterans – Wounded Warriors at Nebo

Christmas Gift Cards

What do you do when you can no longer have weekend or day events but God still keeps sending donations your way? You find another way to bless the wounded, injured and ill. One of our board members, a medically retired Army veteran, suggested gift cards. After some discussion, we decided to use what would have been spent on the December family R&R weekend and buy gift cards. It was determined that we could buy 26 $300 cards so we put the word out to our contacts at Fort Sam Houston that we were looking for recipients. To qualify they had to be active duty, in treatment and financially challenged. Needless to say it didn’t take long to fill the list.

Meanwhile, we wanted to see if there were any local retired veterans struggling that we might be able to help. We checked several places and finally found what we were looking for at the Needs Council. They had 11 veterans who had applied for help so we looked at the budget and added them to our gift card list.

We ended up blessing 40 families with gift cards and still spent less than if we had had weekend events in October, November and December.

The day before going to San Antonio to deliver the gift bags I received a call from a board member. His granddaughter is an Air Force wife and works with dependents at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. He had cards made by a group of children she had worked with thanking service members for their service (only in their words). Sharon & I took the cards and distributed them along with the bags and to anyone else we saw on base.

Cards made by children at Vance Air Force Base

While we were at Fort Sam, Jackie, Elizabeth and Tammi were delivering cards to the Needs Council Director.

GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

More photos can be seen by clicking this link https://wwnebo.org/photos/wppaspec/oc1/lnen/cv0/ab54/pt1240 OR the Photos tab at the top of the page.

Happenings

New Newsletter

The third quarter is the end of our vacation/planning period (June-August) and the beginning of the next year’s event calendar (September -May) which is usually published in the September newsletter. However, with all the uncertainty surrounding social interaction, event planning is very nebulous at this time so no event calendar appears in this newsletter.

Enjoy reading on line or download by following this link N-L 9 20

All the pictures from the Nimitz Golf Classic are available by selecting “Photos” at the top of the page.

Day Event

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.

R & R in Fredericksburg – CANCELLED

This weekend in the Hill Country is open to wounded, injured, ill warriors and their family or care provider. Singles, couples and families will travel to Fredericksburg, TX on Friday for a weekend of relaxing and having fun. Attendees arrive sometime after 3 pm Friday, check into their lodging and later meet for dinner at a local church. Saturday activities are entirely up to the guests. They are free to explore the town, attend the movies, tour the museum and art galleries, etc., or just hang out for the weekend. They are encouraged to attend a local church Sunday prior to returning home. Lodging and meals are provided by Wounded Warriors at Nebo in conjunction with local churches. Admission to the Fritztown Cinema and the National Museum of the Pacific War is provided to those interested by Wounded Warriors at Nebo. Space is limited so check with the WTB Chaplain’s office to sign up. There should also be a sign up sheet at the Warrior and Family Support Center and the Marine Annex.

Couples Retreat – CANCELLED – REPLACED WITH ‘VOW RENEWAL’

This is a weekend where Couples receive counseling from the WTB Chaplain and guest speakers. The intent is to show couples how to identify potential problems and ways to address them. They arrive Friday afternoon and check into their hotel then meet at a local church for dinner and their first counseling session . Saturday there are two or three counseling sessions then they are on their own to explore the town and/or surrounding area, enjoy special events going on that weekend or just hang out. Child care is provided during counseling sessions. Meals and lodging for the weekend will be provided by Wounded Warriors at Nebo. Admission to the Museum of the Pacific War, Pioneer Museum and Fritztown Cinema will be provided by Wounded Warriors at Nebo to those interested. Check out from accommodations is 11 a.m. A list of churches will be provided so guests can attend prior to returning to San Antonio if they wish.

Sign up is through the WTB Chaplain’s office who will post a signup sheet about 2 weeks prior to the event. This event is for wounded, injured and ill and their family or care provider. Family is defined as a Warrior, his/her spouse and children between the ages of infant to 18 yrs old living at home. Cadre and staff are not eligible for this event unless required as a care provider. Questions may be directed to the Chaplain’s office.

Specific details regarding lodging, meal times & location, etc will be provided to guests at a later date.

Vow Renewal – CANCELLED

Couples will gather in Fredericksburg for a weekend devoted to strengthening their marriage. They will participate in a renewal of their wedding vows in a local church presided over by local pastors. Their ‘wedding’ will include flowers for the brides and boutonnieres for the grooms. A celebratory meal/reception will follow the ceremony. Semi formal attire is suggested. It’s up to the couples how they spend the rest of the weekend.

Lodging and meals will be provided. In addition, couples will have free entrance to the museums and movie.

If you are interested, a wounded warrior (active duty or medically retired) contact SPC Breana Cincotta the WTB chaplain’s assistant or watch for the signup sheet at WFSC.

SPC Breana M. Cincotta

Religious Affairs Specialist

Warrior Transition Battalion

3551 Roger Brooke Dr, BLDG 3822

JBSA, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234

(210) 268-7101

Space is limited and be aware that there are multiple signup sheets out so just because you sign up does NOT guarantee you will be able to attend.

Retreat

No Stress Here

Saturday, February 7, six women arrived in Fredericksburg for a relaxing weekend. All of these women have very special, difficult jobs. Each one is a caregiver for her spouse. For those of you who do not know what being a caregiver is, it’s a 24/7 job of taking care of someone who is wounded, injured or ill. If there are children at home then that just adds to the difficulty and stress. Getting away for a weekend with others in similar circumstances to talk about what’s going on, exchange ideas and getting a little pampering helps. It lets them know they are not alone which is very important since some are new to San Antonio having recently moved, leaving their families and support system behind so their loved one can receive the treatment he needs.

So after checking into a guest house in the beautiful hill country the ladies met Rene Pennington, a local Christian therapist who moderated some ice breakers while dinner was prepared. She would also be meeting with them Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon the ladies were treated to a manicure or pedicure then spent some time exploring main street before meeting at Hondo’s On Main for dinner.

When asked if they felt the weekend had been beneficial they all said an emphatic yes. Prior to the retreat three of the women had never met any of the other participants. All six left as friends who plan to support each other and reach out to friends who are also caregivers. They also stated at one time or the other that they rely heavily on God to help them through this difficult journey. What a blessing it was to have several of them join us for church Sunday morning.

This is the second retreat in our new Caregiver Retreat program.

Click on Photos at top of Home Page to see more picture of the event.

R & R in Fredericksburg

Caregiver Retreat

This weekend event will focus on women functioning as caregiver for their Warrior spouse, daughter or son. It will be a place to exchange experiences and knowledge. There will be on site counseling by a professional trained to deal with the challenges facing military caregivers. Since this will be a ‘working weekend’ no children will be allowed. A private residence will be used for the event. A trip to the spa is also on the agenda. Food, Lodging and Spa provided by Wounded Warriors at Nebo. Space is limited so contact Sharon Massey, sharonmassey@outlook.com if interested. We realize there are men who serve as care-providers so if enough interest is shown we will organize a weekend for you all.

Cadre R & R

This R & R is specifically for Cadre/Staff and family. As these men and women provide care for the wounded, injured and ill they often suffer from compassion fatigue and/or secondary PTSD. Just like the people they are ministering to, they need a break from time to time. This weekend in the Hill Country is designed with that in mind.

Guests travel to Fredericksburg, TX on Friday for a weekend of relaxing and having fun. Attendees arrive sometime after 3 pm Friday, check into their lodging and later meet for dinner at a local church. Saturday activities are entirely up to the guests. They are free to explore the town, attend the movies, tour the museum and art galleries, etc., or just hang out for the weekend. They are encouraged to attend a local church Sunday prior to returning home. Lodging and meals are provided by Wounded Warriors at Nebo in conjunction with local churches. Admission to the Fritztown Cinema and the National Museum of the Pacific War is provided to those interested by Wounded Warriors at Nebo. Space is limited so check with the WTB Chaplain’s office to sign up. There should also be a sign up sheet at the Warrior and Family Support Center.