FInding Heart and Soul in Texas

August 9, San Antonio. It was hard to leave Jackaroo Ranch, in the heart of the Hill Country (Thanks, D'Anna, for the great digs!), where we were surrounded by Texas Longhorns, the beautiful Blanco river, and herds of deer, but we had a busy day ahead.

The day provoked powerful emotions for the entire family. We began with a tour of the Brooke Army Medical Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. We were thrilled to meet our former neigbor, Lt. Col. Lanier Ward, who had recovered at this very hospital from severe wounds that he received in Baghdad in '03. The picture is of Lanier with two of the Physical Therapists (Amy and Heather) who helped him recover (he can now jokingly refer to this as the "House of Pain"). Amy and Heather are still helping wounded soldiers today. Lanier was one of our primary inspirations when we launched ThanksUSA nearly two years ago, and he remains an inspiration today. We were delighted that he would come all the way from Kentucky to show us around and we hope he can make a return appearance at the ThanksUSA gala in Washington, D.C. on October 3, 2007. Last year he made wonderful remarks and provided a terrific introduction of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Meyers.

We toured both the hospital and the recently opened Intrepid Center. Wow, if you ever though you were strong or tough, think again. These wounded warriors are courageous heroes. Seeing this center truly made us appreciate how much these warriors, and all those in uniform, love our nation to risk life and limb so that we can live the life we want in this country. To see so many who had lost legs or arms or suffered severe burns and other injuries, but whose spirits were strong and still fighting touched us deeply. Although it was only a small token, the girls delivered some beautifully decorated letters to many of the wounded.

With a stengthened commitment to do whatever we can to help thank the troops with the gift of education to their families, we went to the USO in downtown San Antonio. Thank you, San Antonio USO for your hospitality! We met with four wonderful ThanksUSA scholars today, and as Rachel said, "They blew us away like a tumbleweed in the Texas wind."

Johana Dowell, with two small children and an active duty husband getting ready to deploy to Iraq, was in a car accident last year with the children and all hope of college seemed to disappear at that time . . . until a ThanksUSA scholarship letter arrived in the mail and gave her the funds to rekindle her dreams to pursue her education at UT. She told us how important our small idea was to her and her family. WOW. It was a double bonus to hear that she is playing the ThanksUSA American History Treasure Hunt with her kids and finds it a terrific family project. We will be thinking of her and sending our prayers for her husband's safe return.

We also met James Johnson and his parents (His Dad is active duty Air Force -- 25 years -- Thank you, Sir, for all you do and God bless!!). James's smile and ideas are bright enough to light up the San Antonio sky. Keep an eye on this Baylor University scholar. He is going places, big time!

Joshua Heaney is an army "brat" now attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in part with a ThanksUSA scholarship. He plans to go to flight school and we are sure that when he gets his wings he will rule the sky!

We are so grateful to Ashley Neves who lives and works in San Antonio. She drove all the way to Austin to see us yesterday, and came back to the San Antonio USO today. Ashley, you rock!

Back to the Hill Country to recharge for tomorrow.