Christmas Parade and Festival of Lights

This is a weekend where guests can do as much or as little as they wish. They arrive Friday afternoon and check into their lodging then meet for an early dinner. Immediately following dinner everyone gathers on Main Street to watch the lighted parade. After the parade those who wish may go to the after party, ice skating or just stroll main street enjoying the Christmas decorations. Saturday they are on their own to explore the town and/or surrounding area, enjoy special events going on that weekend or just hang out. Meals will be provided. Admission to the Museum of the Pacific War, Pioneer Museum and Fritztown Cinema will be provided 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 up 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.

Day Event

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.

Happenings

December Family R & R

Fredericksburg ROCKS! Once again, despite cancellation of the Parade of Lights and After Glow Party, this community has put on its glad rags for Christmas and welcomed 10 wounded warrior families to join us for this celebratory season. These 50 people were all treated to dinner in the ballroom of the Nimitz Museum then played games to win the live poinsettia centerpieces before going off to other entertainments. They had many opportunities for entertainment through the weekend including going to Fritztown Theater for a movie, entry to the Nimitz Museum, going ice skating at the Eisbahn, experiencing German and settler crafts at Pioneer Museum and, of course, shopping and meals at West End Pizza and Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Wow, what a weekend!

If anyone is questioning the value of our efforts as seen by those who come to visit let us share two special stories from this weekend. Our first surprise came from the Menchaca family. They have been able to come to another of our events earlier in the year and indicated on Friday that they had something they would like to share with our volunteers when they came for dinner on Saturday. What they had were Christmas ornaments for each of the group who had prepared dinner for us and several others, and two cheesecakes for all to share. They had made a special trip to Mexico to find the ornaments.

The second example of gratitude occurred on Saturday also. As dinner was finishing, one of the soldiers, SFC Tyson Persona, asked for the opportunity to use the microphone. He spoke eloquently of the difference between being thanked for their service when seen in uniform and being invisible once separated from their military arm due to their injuries. He explained that we (Wounded Warriors at Nebo) were the ones who recognized and met their need for continued recognition of their sacrifices. He stated that this community have opened our arms to them and made them feel both welcomed and thanked for their continuing sacrifice of health and well-being.

Thank you to all who have donated services, money, time and prayers. An extra special thanks to the Nimitz Museum for donating their ballroom space for dinner on Friday evening, to Heritage School for donating free skating for all of our visitors, to the Pioneer Museum for the donation of free admission, and to Fritztown Theater for a deep discount on movie admission for 31 people. I am sure the families you have affected this weekend would tell you the same – God bless Fredericksburg!

Click Here to view More Photos

Day Event

Deer Hunt

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.

Christmas R & R

Christmas in Fredericksburg is Magical!! Families and Couples will arrive Friday and check in the hotel, have dinner then watch the Fredericksburg Lighted Christmas Parade.

Saturday we will gather for lunch and dinner but everything else is free time to explore the many wonders in town – like ice skating, the Pioneer Museum special event for kids, etc.

Sunday everyone is invited to attend the church of their choice prior to returning to San Antonio.

If you have kids or are a kid at heart you will really enjoy this weekend. Sign up at WFSC – space is limited!!

Fire Proof Marriage Retreat

Couples will be housed at a local hotel where they will meet with Chaplain Thompson for counseling on strengthening marital bonds. Although the primary counseling will be group sessions, Individual counseling will be available upon request.

Sessions begin Friday night prior to dinner then continue Saturday breaking for lunch and stopping about 3PM for the couples Date Night. Sunday begins with an optional Praise Service followed by the last counseling session.

Space is limited. Sign up at WFSC.

Spiritual Fitness

This event is primarily for Cadre & Staff to refresh and unwind from the everyday stress and burnout. Participants will arrive at Enchanted Rock with Chaplain Thompson for a day exploring the area and enjoying a lunch in Fredericksburg. This will be a day of both spiritual and physical fitness.

Spiritual Readiness/Fitness for Couples

Chaplain Thompson will lead couples in discussions on identifying potential problems and how to avoid them strengthening marriage bonds. Lunch will be provided then couples will be able to explore the grounds of the Lazy U Ranch and enjoy relaxing in the beautiful setting.

For more details or to Sign up contact the Chaplain’s office.

R & R in Fredericksburg

Couples and/or Families arrive in Fredericksburg Friday afternoon, check into their lodging accommodations and gather for dinner and orientation. Saturday is their day to do whatever they want – explore, shop, sleep, etc. We do meet for both lunch and dinner on Saturday. Sunday they are invited to attend a local church prior to returning to San Antonio.

American Hero’s Fishing Tournament

The Fritztown Bass Fishing Club will host the 4th annual fishing tournament at Lake LBJ. Participants are limited to 15 ADULTS. This is a catch and release event. There will be prizes and trophies awarded. Club members are there with their boats to accompany warriors on the lake and get some great one on one fellowship. Lunch will be provided.