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!

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