Greg Sullivan with his big catch
Greg Sullivan
32 years service to our Country
This was Greg’s first time to be part of Warrior’s Weekend, and he was honored to be here. He even won 2nd place for the biggest fish caught!
Greg joined the U.S. Army in 1984, in 1988 he joined the Texas National Guard where he worked as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007 for 18 months as Special Operations. He was selected as a fixed wing intelligence Operator when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. After serving 32 years, he was medically retired in 2018.
Greg enjoyed the camaraderie and love of fellow soldiers, the meals provided and the fishing excursion at Warrior’s Weekend. He expressed his thanks: “Sometimes in life a simple ‘Thank You’ does not seem sufficient. It is with heartfelt gratitude that my wife and I would like to extend our love and appreciation to Ron and Sherry Kocian and the organizers of Warrior’s Weekend. We will return.”
Walter Lee Taylor
Retired Navy
Walter Lee Taylor served in the Navy for 28 years as a combat medic. We applaud his service for our country!
He was deployed five times. Four of those five were in Iraq. The other tour was with Desert Storm. His duty stations were in Alaska, Korea, Germany, Ft. Campbell in Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Gordon in Georgia, West Point in New York, and in California at the Army’s National Training Center.
Walter is originally from Norfolk, Virginia. Walter’s father was in the Navy as well. Walter commenting about his service said, “Serving is not about the money. It’s about the people and the commitment.” He also said, “I loved being a medic. I loved taking care of people and watching soldiers grow and mature.”
Walter was one of many veterans who came the weekend of May 19th and 20th to Port O’Connor for the annual Warrior’s Weekend held annually to honor our veterans who served our country well. G.K. Chesterton said, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
-Tanya DeForest
Don Williams
“Soldier Ready”
Don Williams, a Warrior’s Weekend board member and a Vietnam veteran, is “soldier ready.” One of his passions is being part of an organization called “Patriot Guard Riders.” This all happened starting in 2017. He is a “Ride Captain” which means he is over the motorcycle escort for any war vet that is to be buried at Fort Sam in San Antonio. Don says that this is “one of the most honorable things one could possibly do.”
Another passion that Don, his wife Claudia, and their family have is hosting disabled vets on their ranch in the Halletsville area four times a year. The disabled vets come to hunt, but there’s so much more since they are lavished with support not only from Don and his family but invited guests as well! In fact, the guest list has grown to up to 275 people! Don said, “It’s beyond words when the disabled vets stay in your home. They have stayed in touch with our family for 17 years.”
Don is proud to have served in Vietnam while in the Army. He worked in communications while serving our country. Don mentioned that Vietnam Veteran’s Day was celebrated in April and commemorated 50 years.
-Tanya DeForest
Blessed by Warrior’s Weekend
The Sullivan Family
My name is Denise. I wanted to share a little big about ouselves and our time during Warrior’s Weekend in Port O’Connor.
I worked as a Corrections Officer for Texas State Prison from 1988 to 1996. I relocated to Olympia, Washington with my family in 1996.
From 1998 to 2022 I worked as a Corrections Deputy. In my field I worked Death Row, Ad. Seg. as well as Chemical Dependency Program. I was fortunate to work and support the local Drug Court program for many years.
I retired in August, 2022 after 31 years as Corrections Officer/Deputy.
Our family is primarily First Responders. As a result, we have seen and feel the effects of PTSD, Depression and Alcoholism.
I had the opportunity to attend Warrior’s Weekend with my husband Greg. What a blessing! For me, it was an answer to so many prayers! I feel the impact will be ongoing. We have HOPE.
An added blessing for me was getting to know Barbara during our stay at 54 Johnny Lane. She is very kind and intuitive. A BIG HUG AND THANK YOU FROM THE SULLIVANS.
Until next year with Gratitude and Love,
Denise and Greg Sullivan
Warrior’s Weekend
Special thanks to all those who helped us with our part of the Warrior’s Weekend. There would be no possible way for us at the Chapel to provide the Saturday Morning Breakfast for this community’s special guests! We had so many helpers, some of whom we did not previously know, come out to our Friday evening “Egg Cracking Party” that all 1,500 eggs were cracked, mixed, and most of the cleaning works was all done in about 20 minutes! We had a team of people from Friendswood, Huntsville, and El Campo who were here at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to help us cook, roll, and serve the 750 sausage and egg tacos. We had people at the 6:30 breakfast serving time to provide the coffee, juice, and milk, plus the tacos and apples.
If I start naming the helpers, I am certain I would forget someone. So, we just say a huge ‘THANK YOU!” to all who helped in the upfront things as well as the back kitchen area.
Pastor Joane
