In 2011 the Russell family made a decision to dedicate full use of the Lazy U Ranch to our nation’s Wounded Warriors. As a veteran family and very active with the veteran community, the Russell’s reached out to the Warrior Transition Battalion, BAMC, San Antonio, Texas. With Wounded Warriors at Nebo acting as the liaison, the outreach program blossomed into an active R&R retreat where warriors and their families could come and rehabilitate.
Working with organizations such as Adaptive Sports Military Program and Hero’s on the Water BAMC, full use of the ranch has blossomed with warriors and their families enjoying the quiet beauty of the ranch. Participants use the convenience of the Guadalupe river frontage for kayaking, fishing, swimming, or the quite solace inside the Memorial building. The ranch gives them a chance to decompress from the stresses associated with combat and the physical rigors of rehabilitation.
The Lazy U Ranch serves our nation’s warriors by providing a rehabilitative healing atmosphere in an outdoor setting that is physically and mentally therapeutic.
Proverbs 22: 6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Patty Sue Russell grew up as a child in World War II, but vividly remembered the horrors of war as she entertained the Wounded Warriors located at Fort Sam Houston at the age of six. Sporting a flaming red head of hair, her Scottish decent and temperament were a distinct reflection of her “never quit” attitude towards life and her love of God, Family, and Country. In her eulogy she was described as “General Patton dressed in a Marine Corp uniform – Semper Fi “Always Faithful”.
Patty Sue Russell’s “ Train up a child” can be witnessed at the SS American Memorial offering retreats to youth groups that include Girl/Boy Scouts, church, school, or any other youth entity that is interested in exposing youth to a location that promotes and teaches ethics, responsibility, loyalty, honor, and integrity through a visual of actions, art and craftsmanship.
