I'll have to save my official comments until tomorrow. We just got home, cleaned up the car, unloaded the truck and have to get ready for my office Christmas party. I want to share some comments made by others that attended.
Here's a link you may want to check out.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/military...than_cars.html
PS: we were on KENS channel 5 last night and this morning.
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Teresa and I made it home safe and sound and only a little wet and dusty! Bill thanks so much for arranging this trip. It was awesome and inspiring to be able to repay these Vets, if only in a small way, for their sacrifices. Hope everyone has a safe return too!
Ken
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Great event with the best group of people! What can you ask for? The bravest soldiers and the best group of friends.
You guys are wonderful. Thank you so much for all the thoughtful donations and gifts. The soldiers were absolutely speechless.
Here's wishing you all a safe trip home and the happiest of holidays!
James
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A copy of the article that appeared in the local San Antonio news is attached. These are memories of a special time with a group of friends that I will cherish for a lifetime!
Thank you so much for organizing this wonderful outing, Bill! And kuddos to you, Jim Driesch for all of the efforts that you made over the last several weeks with your vendors and customers - what a great contribution you made from all!
I know for Dave and I, this is an organization that we will be thinking about throughout the year not just at Christmas time. So we are ready, willing and able for the next trip to San Antonio!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Dave and Debra
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Thanks again to Bill and everyone else that had a hand in planning this
event. I got involved kind of at the last minute and just had enough
time to say "I am coming". Being a part of this has literally changed
my life. My daughter and I had to stop several times on the way home
and reflect on what we had been a part of. Meeting the soldiers and
being able to help was priceless. This will become a long relationship
with our family and Operation Comfort. When we got home, my wife and
three other kids sat glued to our every word about the day. Plans have
been made to write cards and letter to the soldiers in the hospital and
for ways the kids can raise money to send as donations.
On the way home, we went through New Braunfels and Bastrop to HWY 290,
I was pulled over by a DPS officer. How fast???? I was scooting along
at just under 3 digits. When the officer asked what we were up to we
explained about the day. He disappeared back to his cruiser and
returned a few minutes later. He had given me a warning and told us
that he was aware of Operation Comfort. He is retired USMC and served
in Somalia. He then went on to tell us that every soldier that comes
home from war carries scars whether or not they are visible. We talked
on the side of 290 for alomost 40 minutes. He shared with us stories
of his rehab and those that he knew. After talking he formally
introduced himself, Juan Gonzales, shook both our hands and said to
just keep doing what we were doing. He then thanked us for our service
to the soldiers and bid us a good trip. He then said "try to keep it
reasonable from now on o.k.?"
When we got home we realized that it had just stopped raining and Cindy
told me that it had rained for about 45 minutes and had stopped about
10 minutes ago. Being stopped by officer Gonzales and the resulting
conversation saved us from getting wet.
By the way when he thanked us for our service to the troops it caused
us to cry. There we were two grown men and a 15 year old crying openly
on the side of the HWY with no shame or remorse. He then told us not
to cry in front of the wounded if we could help it because it upsets
them that their injuries have upset us.
The soldiers have paid a terrible price for our freedom and then thank
us for our efforts when we do something so simple as driving our cars
to visit them. Somehow this needs to be balanced back out. What we
did was really not a lot different than just getting together to go for
a cruise. Sure it took some planning and a lot of effort and some
sacrifice but in the end it was nothing in comparison to what the
soldiers have done. I for one am going to make sure that every soldier
I come in contact with knows how much I appreciate them. It might be
as simple as a thank you or maybe a paid for meal. If I see one
shopping I might just pay the tab. I will however always be thankful
and respectful of the sacrifice.
On that note THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE COBRA GUYS AND GIRLS THAT ARE
VETERANS. I am not buying any of you lunch though.
Greg
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Thanks so much for sharing your story. I was telling my wife about the day and came close to being overwhelmed with emotion myself. We can all help, even if it's just to say "thank you" to the guys and gals when we see them in uniform on the street. Janice, the program coordinator, approached me about doing some work to their web site, as it hasn't been updated in some time and needs a fresh look. I'm jumping at the chance to be a part of this organization, even if in just a small way, to use my abilities to give something back to those that have given so much for us. And Bill S. - thanks not just for your efforts in coordinating this event, but also for providing a life-changing experience.
Ron Martel
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In parting, as much as I'd like to make this an annual event, I feel compelled to remind everyone this is everyday life for the soldiers. There are more coming into BAMC every day, they need our continued help and prayers. We have cordially invited them to join us at the TCC Spring Meet and they're very excited about that. Send them a letter, a card, wish them well, find time to take a drive over and visit them, you'll brighten the day of a soldier and give yourself a memory that will last a lifetime.
God Bless the soldiers, their families, everyone at Operation Comfort and everyone that joined us (whether in person or in spirit) this weekend.
Until tomorrow,
Bill