Summer Days Have Arrived

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and were able to spend some time with your dad on Fathers Day. The siblings and I took a road trip to Brazoria and enjoyed some quality time with our dad, Henry. And after seeing his garden, I’ve got a long way to go to achieve that level of green thumbness.

I’ll tell you what, when those northers finally stopped blowing, it didn’t take long for the South Texas heat to move in with a vengeance. The first day of summer is officially today, but Mother Nature must have misplaced her calendar, because the sweat factor is already in effect.

Of course living in this part of the country, we should already be well aware that the summer heat starts early, it’s gonna be sweltering and it’s gonna last a long time. It only seems like it gets hotter every year, but I think we simply forget from one year to the next. Anyway, we all choose to live here because we love this area and the coastal lifestyle, and for us the positives outweigh the negatives. So be it.

Well, I haven’t found a sea turtle nest, but on the morning of May 28 I did locate turtle tracks coming ashore on the beach. I lost the tracks in the loose sand approaching the dunes, and was unable to locate a nesting site, but from July 13-19 I’ll keep watch on that area for any newly hatched baby turtles.

I came across a pretty neat find on the beach a few weeks ago. A pair of round yellow plastic buoys, chained together, washed ashore. After hauling them back to the house, and removing the stainless bolts that secured the two halves on each one, inside of them were clear deep sea glass spheres, half inch thick, 54 inches in diameter and weighing 39 pounds each. A tag on each one identified them with a serial number and that they were tested to a depth of 6700 meters, that’s a few hundred feet shy of four miles! I’m not certain what purpose they would serve, but I cleaned up the yellow buoys that they were encased in and have them displayed on the front deck area. Once again, you just never know what might wash ashore out here.

The tomato plants have done pretty well out here this year. All of the cherry type ones are hanging in large clusters, and I had to top-off the plants at six feet tall, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to reach the top of them. My large variety tomatoes have not done nearly as well, with most of them developing blossom end rot, with the bottom portion turning black and ruining the tomato. So my goal of growing a three pounder will have to wait.

Well, that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a great day.

Thank You

I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the friends and acquaintances who prayed and consoled us during the week of Clyde’s illness.  Port O’Connor has the most loving and caring people and we don’t realize that until there is a problem.  I so appreciate all the phone calls, cards and expressions of sorrow and help of any kind I might need in this time of adjustment, from everyone I came in contact with.  Not only does POC have good fishing, but the best of friends and neighbors.

Most of you probably have read this poem before but it so true:

Perhaps you sent a lovely card, Or sat quietly in a chair.  Perhaps you sent a floral piece, If so we saw it there.  Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, As any friend could say:  Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day,   Whatever you did to console our hearts,  We thank you so much, whatever the part.

I also want to express my appreciation to Port O’Connor Fire Department, Port Lavaca EMS, and the doctors and nurses at Citizens Hospital.

Thank you,
Nelda Holloway

To: John & Judy Perry

Mr. Perry,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for loaning me and my family your home for the weekend. I must say that as a “Sooner”, I never had a good attitude for Texas, for that matter, nothing good to say either.

After this weekend (Warrior’s Weekend) I have changed my tone for this great state and its people. I don’t think that I have ever been so honored and humbled as I have this trip. It is people like you and everyone else who have pitched in to make Warrior’s Weekend happen, that show service members that there is still an America worth fighting for. Again, thank you and God bless.

Respectfully,
SSG Porter, Sammy L.

Sand Sculptors Thank Port O’Connor

The Warrior’s Weekend Sand Sculpting Team, “Team Dragon”, would like to thank all of the restaurants, local businesses, and kind local folks who donated meals, tractors, cash, and lodging for all of us. We are always blown away by the way POC opens their hearts, their homes, and their pocketbooks for Warrior’s Weekend. What an amazing little community!

We would like to thank the following restaurants for feeding us for the two weeks we worked on the sand sculpture. Thank you to…Art’s BBQ, Captain G’s, Cathy’s, Hurricane Junction, Josie’s, Mama’s Pizza, Marty’s, Mini Mart, Speedy Stop, the Senior Citizens lunch group, and the Treasure Chest. We’d also like to thank the following folks who fed us, loaned us equipment, put us up in housing, or helped us in some way…Kathy Yearwood, Bill Tigrett, JR Lange, Roger & Karen Krause, Paul McGee, Kim Sonnier, Dwayne Fishbeck, Vinson RV Park, Judge Nancy Pomykal, Bridget xxxx, Chamber of Commerce, Carol Haverfield, Peggy Elliott, Debbie Busby, Darin Luna, Martie Gonzales, Ann Pesek, Myra Franklin, Pat Ekstrom, Mary Nell McGee, Pat Turk, Tammy Davis, Julie Hime, Lorrie Turner, Johnny Hawes, Harvey & BA Brandon, Mary Jo Walker, Marilyn Giessel, Shelly Gasch, Mike Hopkins, Sandra Armbruster, and Sally Ragusin.

We appreciate each and every one of you. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you. You helped us create a patriotic tribute for our wounded heroes. We just wanted to show them that we care and thank them for their service and their sacrifices.

With deepest gratitude,
The Dragon Lady aka Gloria Fric
& Team Dragon

Volunteers Did Outstanding Job

I read Dolphin Talk, but have never written to you and feel I just have to write this letter. On Saturday, May 18, I brought my three sisters to see the happenings and all the wonderful things that POC does for the Warriors. We are all partially handicapped and elderly but do as much as we can.

We first stopped to see the beautiful sand sculpture. When entering the parking lot, I told the traffic director that my sisters could not walk very far. He immediately directed me to a parking place very near the sculpture. They were amazed at the sight of the huge, beautiful sculpture. Thanks to those talented people who made something so outstanding for everyone to enjoy.

Again, going to Froggies, I was directed to the nearest parking place available. We managed to walk to the area to see the boats coming in. We had lawn chairs in my car, but we couldn’t carry them that far. I mentioned this to one of the volunteers and within seconds there was another volunteer getting these chairs for us.

What I am trying to say is that the volunteers did an outstanding job in all capacities, no matter what the situation was or who needed the aid. They were easily recognized by their green shirts/blouses and I want to say a big THANK YOU to all who helped make our day functional.

Last and most important, Doug Snowdon and my husband Charles Dullye took four Warriors fishing. One of the Warriors caught a 36” redfish and they all caught a variety of fish. There was great satisfaction in seeing these Warriors having a fun time on a fishing trip.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Charles Dullye
Shiner, Texas

Warrior’s Weekend

This past Wounded Warriors Weekend was one of the most touching and rewarding events I have ever experienced. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those whom I called upon to donate their houses to help accommodate the tremendous amount of soldiers and family members who came to Port O’Connor. I was told that this year we hosted over 700 soldiers, and if we include the many family members who accompanied the soldiers, the number was around 1,000. Many of the soldiers and their family members expressed their thanks to me personally, and asked me also to convey their gratitude to all those who sponsored their stay. Your unselfish acts of patriotism meant a lot to our guests. They were amazed and often times overwhelmed!

I also appreciate the many stories that you shared with me about your own personal experiences. Each group was unique and many bonds were formed that special weekend.

Of course, this could not have happened without the many volunteers who took time out of their own busy schedules to help personally with escorting soldiers to their places of stay, welcoming them, offering transportation to and from events, waiting up for the last arrival at 12:30 am, getting items ready, making beds, turning on air conditioners, checking-in the arrivals, helping with clerical issues, answering phones, answering questions, giving directions, … Even though it was hectic, I hope you all had fun.

I am, as I know each of you are, extremely proud and excited to be a part of this unique event, and hope we can do even more next year.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Ron and Sherry Kocian and their entire support team for bringing this event to POC in the first place and letting us be the ones to share the experience.

Bill Tigrett

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:
Dolphin Talk
PO Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net

With over 400 boats being volunteered, all the warriors and their families who wanted to go fishing were accommodated. Many experienced their first ever saltwater fishing trip. -Photo by Peggy Wilkinson

Things with Warrior’s Weekend are starting to get back to normal—which means getting ready for the next one—after bringing in 718 heroes plus several hundred family members. All in all, things went very well, a lot of fish were caught, cleaned by our volunteers and sent off to the heroes at their home bases.

Bringing in over 700 heroes does present some challenges but we’d like to say that, all in all, things went very well. There was one shark bite, some lost luggage (since found and returned) and some heat related issues but all were handled by our great volunteers, especially our medical team headed up by Dr. Dan Dugi of Cuero along with his 30 or so medical personnel. As usual, our guys at the docks handled loading and unloading heroes as best or better than can be expected and being able to launch about one half of our over 400 boats at The Sanctuary helped immensely. Caterpillar had the a/c humming in the big tent to the point that it helped the sale of our “hoodies” quite a bit until the tent starting filling up. Then, it was just right.

Each fish, no matter what species, was weighed and cleaned and sent to the heroes if they were from a base and sent home in either buses or personal vehicles if they drove in. We just received an email from a 20+ year veteran who was here after being wounded in Afghanistan, thanking us and telling us what coming to WW VII meant to him.

So, thanks again to all who volunteered their time, their homes, their lodges, their boats (whether you took out a hero or not—you were there for us and them), their handshakes and their hugs. Thanks again to the good folks of Calhoun County who make us welcome and do a great job of showing their patriotic spirit. All of you have ownership in Warrior’s Weekend and should be proud of your contributions to making a lifetime memory for our heroes.

As I mentioned earlier, back to normal means getting ready for next year. Warrior’s Weekend is having a 50’s dance featuring Johnny Dee’s Rocket 88s on Friday, the 28th, this month here in Victoria at the community center followed the next day by a BBQ cook-off and bike rally. Tickets for the dance are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door. Sponsorship packages, which include a rib-eye steak dinner, free beer and wine as well as set-ups all night and other “goodies” for 10. Otherwise, it is BYOB and beer as well as wine will be sold. Please check our website www.warriorsweekend.org for more information.

Back to normal.

Ron Kocian, President
Warrior’s Weekend

Victor Birdseye (Birdy) with 39-pound Black Drum that won a first place in the Warrior’s Weekend fishing competition. Warrior Birdy enjoyed fishing with Jenny and Rick Nagelmueller and Casey Fischbeck.

Volunteers help Warriors’ children get ready for their fishing trip. -Photo by Bret Williams, Port O’Connor Visitors’ Center

Jeremy Deramus

This is Warrior, Jeremy Deramus, from Fort Worth, Texas.  He and his wife, Christina stayed at host family, Randy and Bonnie Fluitt’s home.  Mr. Tigrett asked the Fluitts,  as they were eating at Cathy’s on Wednesday night,  if they would take in some warriors as house guests, as he couldn’t find room for all of them!  Our family met unexpected guests, (the Deramus) and enjoyed meeting them and hearing their story!!!  Capt. Derek Roeben and Capt. Mark Behrens took them out fishing and they came back with an igloo full of beautiful red fish.  They loved their time in POC and want to move here, now!!!

-Peggy Wilkinson

Awards were given for the biggest fish caught during the day’s fishing trip. Victor Birdseye had the winning Black Drum (39 lbs.) and Jenna Hughes from Ft. Benning had the second place Shark (18.1 lbs.)

Field of Tribute - Photo by Lea Ann's Photography

Main Element of Warrior’s Weekend Sand Sculpture -Photo by Sue Kubecka

The main body of the 16-foot tall sculpture consists of a fierce-looking eagle under a huge banner that states, “Don’t Tread on Me.” In the eagle’s left talon is a rifle, and in its right, the US Flag. The rifle represents the Bill of Rights, specifically the Second Amendment, and is meant as a message to any who would attempt to deny American citizens of their Constitutional rights. The US Flag represents a broader statement, to those here and abroad: “Don’t mess with our Country!”

The main purpose of the sand sculpture, created anew each year by Gloria Fric and her team of sculptors, is to welcome and honor the wounded warriors. “Just as important as creating a beautiful and meaningful piece of art, is the welcome and thanks we give to each soldier who sees it,” said Gloria.

Every soldier who walks up to view the sculpture is warmly greeted and asked if they would like to have his/her name engraved on its surface. A special “KIA” wall is also there for anyone who would like to have a fallen buddy’s name inscribed.

During this past Warrior’s Weekend, one of those soldiers stood pointing out a name on the KIA wall to another. “That was my buddy. I was with him when he died,” the young man said. At that same moment, a couple was also looking at the KIA wall. “That was our son,” they both exclaimed. Introductions and hugs followed and the couple and the solider walked off together, the young man telling the couple of his friendship with their son and the circumstances of his death. “It was a ‘God thing’,” said Gloria, “and the kind of thing that really makes our work here worthwhile.”

Gloria’s service in Port O’Connor didn’t end with the conclusion of Warrior’s Weekend. She and others stayed on through Memorial Day, meeting hundreds of people who came to see the sculpture, telling them the significance of it, and of Warrior’s Weekend.

Barring any big rainstorms, the Warrior’s Weekend sculpture will remain through the Fourth of July. After that, it will be demolished, but a year from now, expect to see another great monument to our heroes, lovingly sculpted and reverently presented by Gloria Fric and her group of volunteers.

Detail of Sand Sculpture -Photo by Julie Yost

Photo by Lea Ann's Photography

Warriors Wives and children enjoying the island.

The Women behind the Heroes are often unseen for the sacrifice they make for the love they have for their husband’s military service. The effects of war not only impact the Veteran, rather ripples through the lives of the wife and children. Charles and Joy Fryou know personally how war takes a toll on a family as their son served in the US Army. Joy’s passion for others and encouraging words was the foundation of a friendship with, Nicki Lowry, a local wife of a disabled Veteran who happened to be the President of Warrior Wives of Warriors Weekend.

Warrior Wives is a branch of Warriors Weekend that is a healing and support group for Wives, Fiancés, and girlfriends of Disabled or Killed in Action Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans. They hold meetings twice a month in Victoria and provide tools and support for the process of healing.

Charles and Joy have been involved with Warriors Weekend for many years and when they found a new way to meet a need they did it the Warriors Weekend way, BIG. Saturday, May 19, 2013, was the Warrior Wives 2nd annual trip to the Matagorda Island.  Joy and Nicki corresponded back and forth for months planning and exchanging numbers of local wives that wanted to be a part of this experience. Also the Warrior Wives board members Lindsay Green, Vice president and Barbara Rheinschmidt, Service Coordinator helped with organizing the trip to the island.

The first year, Charles and Joy, used two boats to take four wives and their children to the island. This year with help from other Island patriots with a total of 5 boats they hosted 10 Warrior wives with a total of 13 children. The community on Matagorda Island “gets it” and spent the day fellowshipping with the Warrior’s families by barbecuing hamburgers, hauling back and forth to the beach, and building in the sand.

For one day these local wives didn’t have to think about their husbands disabilities or that their husband didn’t make it home. For one day their children got to watch “mommy” smile and laugh in the sand with them. For one day these families didn’t have to worry, but grow in the love that was shown to them which is essential in the healing process.