Every summer in San Antonio, our local KENS 5 TV channel and the Kiolbassa sausage company team up to celebrate the art of barbecue and summer, combined with spotlighting various groups every Friday during their 5 and 6 o'clock weather segment.  I cannot testify to the variety, because I seldom watch local TV [what can I say, it's just me!].  This summer's kick-off, traditionally Memorial Day weekend, they chose the BAMC Fisher Houses.  It was a pleasure to take part in this particular BBQ because they spotlighted the efforts of our Fisher Houses. 

A spouse of one of our heroes told me that Mr. Kiolbassa told her and those at her table that as long as they'd been doing this summer Friday barbecue around the San Antonio area, he'd never been as "moved" as he was at the Fisher House.  My immediate thought was, "Duh...how could you NOT be moved by these guys and gals?  They're amazing!"  I am amazed by them whenever I am at the Fisher House. 

One of the heroes in attendance was a retired Colonel & medical doctor who had been in a small plane accident in which all of the other passengers died.  He was humbled by his fellow veterans who had undergone far worse injuries than his.  One of my favorite parts about being around these heroes is when they are talking among themselves.  One amputee who had just received his prosthetic leg, using terms like "BK" [below the knee] and "AK" [above the knee] talking to another amputee who had not progressed that far not only taught me new things, but made me appreciate the importance of the Fisher House experience where the residents become support systems for one another.  They all know what they can expect next, because others have shared their experiences.  The new mommies find the same sort of comfort in each other, as the heroes find in their fellow soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors.  The peer mentoring seems to come naturally.

While I was decorating before the festivities began, a trio of folks dropped by to ask how they would go about getting a tour of the Center For The Intrepid.  Since this was Friday before Memorial Day, and all the athletes..um...errr...patients were off for a mini-triathlon (no, I'm not kidding), the CFI was deserted.  Sorry folks, no tours today.  So they asked instead if they could call for a cab to go to the museum on the base.  I offered to take them, as we had some time to kill...and besides, I didn't know where it was and I'm a sucker for museums.  I gave them a quick tour of the Fisher House, and we headed for the short drive to the base. 

As we drove, I learned that he was a retired Viet Nam era veteran who had retired from the military as a dentist.  He remarked at his awe in the difference between how today's veterans were welcomed home, vs. the horrid and derisive treatment they received coming home from Nam.  That was of course thanks to Hanoi Jane Fonda, and the traitor John Kerry.  I told him that was the reason I volunteer at Fisher House and for Soldiers' Angels; my friends endured awful treatment upon their return home from Viet Nam, and I am determined to do what I can to see that history does not repeat itself.  From the outpouring of love and donations to both organizations, I'd say most Americans feel the same as I do.

At the close of any one of these affairs put on at Fisher House for the residents, we volunteers are always faced with the considerable chore of dividing up the left over and extra food into containers to be delivered to each of our four houses.  Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the work gets done in short order!  During clean-up, my cell phone rang.  Hubby was at home thinking he was going to see me on TV, and called to tell me he and "the boys" (our dogs) were disappointed.  In the interest of the dreaded HIPPA Act (May God send you to Satan, Teddy Kennedy, for that abhorrent piece of legislation), wounded warriors and volunteers were not on camera.  I'm going to leave it at that...if I get started on Ted Kennedy, I'll start in on his amnesty bill...and my fingers will fall off before I've completed that OT vent!