G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
NOVEMBER 2023
A Salute to Veterans
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In this issue November 2023
FEATURES 10 THE FRONT LINES OF SERVICE
Stories of war-zone missions, crisis-response heroics and back fill circle to a situation room with the president
10
18
22
26
18 POND PHILOSOPHY
Getting hooked on reeling in fish leads to a passion for giving back to veterans and the community
22 GALLOP TOWARD HEALING
Veteran-led nonprofit offers healing through equine therapy
26 FROM SAILOR TO ROAST MASTER
The caffeinated creations of a veteran coffee bean genius
ON THE SCENE 30 SCULPTING A LEGACY
Man honors fathers, and all those who served, through art and a strong dedication to community
AROUND TOWN 32 VETERANS OF SEGUIN
A special tribute to the brave veterans in our community
38 SAVE THE DATE
See what events are coming up
on the cover Photo courtesy Brad Webb
Since his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, Seguin resident Lt. Gen. Marshall “Brad” Webb continues to serve his community in various capacities, including joining the Rotary Club of Seguin.
G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
Vol. 10, No. 6 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette. Publisher
Elizabeth Engelhardt Creative director / magazine Editor
Desiree Gerland Writers
Nolan Alexander Felicia Frazar Alex Lowe Dalondo Moultrie Bianca Rawlings
Photographers
Felicia Frazar Victoria Gaytan
ADVERTISING
Megan Granzin Gay Lynn Olsovsky Graphic design
Melissa Taylor
FROM THE publisher
W
elcome to a very special issue of Seguin Magazine. This edition is dedicated to all of the Veterans that have served and defended the United State of America. This is issue is especially close to my heart as my grandfather, Major Paul L. Bark served three tours in the Vietnam War and retired from the U.S. Army in 1976 and my brother, Chief Petty Officer, William F. Bark, Jr. served in the U.S. Navy for 12 years. Coming from a military family, I know the heartache and stress having your loved ones deployed for months even years at a time. Not knowing where they are, what kind of surroundings they’re in and not being able to communicate with them on a regular basis really takes a toll. But the support, love and honor we show our veterans is what keeps them going every day. In this issue you will find stories centered around local veterans and their dedicated service to our country. We also recognize some of our local heroes with photos submitted by their loved ones. As you turn the pages in this beautiful magazine, be sure to think about what all these people have gone through in their lives and where it brought them today. When you see someone with a veterans cap on, be sure to thank them for their service. That means more than you could ever imagine. From all of us here at the Seguin Gazette, thank you to all those who have served and protected our great country.
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{ FEATURE }
the front lines of
Service
Stories of war zone missions, crisis response heroics, and back full circle to a situation room with the president
Story by Dalondo Moultrie Photos by Felicia Frazar and courtesy of Brad Webb
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t. Gen. Marshall "Brad" Webb, United States Air Force retired, was honored to be in the room during a historic event immortalized in a picture. But the Seguin resident wants his career remembered for more than being seated at the head of a table relaying information to then-President Barack Obama when U.S. troops killed the notorious Osama Bin Laden. “I’m proud of it, don’t get me wrong,” Webb said of the May 2011 mission. “It was a great day for our nation.” It was a time that closed a full-circle experience for Webb, but still, it was just one of many highlights of a highly deco10 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
rated and adventurous career. As an Air Force military brat whose father retired in Texas, Webb graduated from Crockett High School in Austin before shipping off to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1984. A chance ride on a helicopter his freshman year proved life-altering and led to a career piloting and training others, Webb said. “I got a ride in a helicopter my freshman year, and I liked it,” he said. “I went straight to helicopter training.” He learned to fly helicopters, which became his life’s work. Amid flying
Pete Souza - White House U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on Operation Neptune Spear, a mission against Osama bin Laden, in one of the conference rooms of the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb is in the middle of the photo at the head of the table with former President Barrack Obama on the left.
missions and teaching others to fly, Webb was constantly learning, he said. He earned numerous degrees throughout his career and climbed up the Air Force ranks. By November 1987, the pilot received an assignment in special operations, and that is where he spent the remainder of his career doing collaborative work with other branches of the armed forces. “Special operations is inherently joint ventures,” Webb said. “It’s working with Army counterparts, Navy Seals, Marine Raiders. Our mission was to infiltrate and extract special ops forces behind enemy lines to conduct all of the ranges of missions we do.” He took assignments on bases across the country and outside the United States. The job consisted of flying troops into danger zones across the globe. “We had some dangerous missions over the course of my career,” Webb said. “I was interested in them.” 12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
As the offspring of a serviceman, serving is a part of who he is. When it came to conflicts, Webb said he wanted to be a part of the action. He wanted to help keep his countrymen and women safe and out of harm’s way, Webb said. “You want to serve. That’s why they call it ‘the service,’ right,” he said. “If my country is going to put people in harm’s way, let it be me.” While in special ops, he participated in Operation Desert Storm. Webb flew missions with Navy Seals off the coast of Kuwait during the conflict. They flew into Kuwait International Airport and also helped troops take back a sieged U.S. embassy Iraqis occupied, Webb said. While the training seemed like a lifetime, the missions and his deployment ended by March 1990 and he was back stateside and going through peacetime training. Next came an assignment in England where he took part in opera-
tions during the Bosnian War. There were some tense missions including one in which enemy fighters downed an American jet, and Webb’s team had to fly in and help rescue fighter pilot Scott O’Grady after about a week behind enemy lines. Following assignments at bases in Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, Webb was sent to work in Florida starting in September 2000 as an assistant operations officer, operations officer and then operations commander. During his next three-year tour, 9/11 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq happened. Webb was a first responder at Ground Zero after commercial jets crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. “I had five helicopters,” he said. “My orders were ‘go help Americans.’” His team flew to New York and helped support New York City’s emergency management coordinators, the
Port Authority, NYPD, NYFD and whomever else needed help. Their helicopters were the only ones capable of providing the type of support from the air needed at the time, Webb said. Next was a trip to Afghanistan supporting troops on the ground responding to the attack on American soil, he said. Soon after, he flew some of the first missions to kick off Operation Iraqi Freedom. Around 2003, schooling and more calm leadership roles came Webb’s way. He worked at the Pentagon as a deputy director and commanded joint special operations component in Lebanon, among other stops over the course of a handful of years. Then, in 2010, Air Force brass assigned him the role of assistant commanding general of Headquarters Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was during this stop that the famous photo was taken, completing the circle from his involvement at Ground Zero to the killing of Osama Bin Laden, mastermind of the terrorist attack, Webb said. In the Whitehouse, he was responsible for relaying information from mission command on the ground to the president and others in Washington, D.C. Initially, Webb was set up in a small room alone as the mission began, while others in the Whitehouse gathered in a much larger room and waited. Eventually, the president, vice president and others started to stream into the room and gather around. Webb offered Obama the seat at the head of the table, but the president refused. “I stood up to give the president his chair,” Webb said. “He sits me down and said, ‘You got this. I’m going to sit over here.’” Information was coming in fast, and Webb relayed it as everyone in the room felt the intensity. “When the code word for we got him was announced, which was ‘Geronimo,’ a ground force leader said over the satellite communication, ‘For God and country, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo,’” Webb said.
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Everyone in the room wanted to celebrate, but he told them it wasn’t the time. The mission was not over as the troops still had to get out of there, he said. But once all the smoke cleared, troops were safe and people celebrated across the country, Webb said the moment felt like completion of a circle. Several assignments later, including leadership roles and promotions to the rank of lieutenant general, Webb helped the Air Force with an initiative targeted at combating systemic racism among the ranks. His efforts gained national attention, and he received a now-prized postcard from a man he met about 10 years earlier, Obama. A handwritten note read: “Brad — I caught your recent interview on '60 Minutes’, and thought it was a good opportunity to reach out and thank you once again for your extraordinary service. It’s good to know that you continue to champion the values that speak to what’s best in us. I hope you 14 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
and your family are well.” The sentiment touches Webb to this day. “A former president of the United States reached out and did this,” he said. “I was just really proud of that.” In 2019, leadership assigned Webb to Air Education Command at Randolph Air Force Base, returning him to his home state as he geared up for retirement. He retired in July 2022 and got the opportunity to be close to his wife Dawna and spend more time with his adult son and daughter. He and Dawna moved to Seguin after his retirement, and Webb continues serving, but now in more of a volunteer capacity, including joining Texas Lutheran University’s Board of Regents at the beginning of the year. In his spare time, Webb plays rock guitar with a band that has played in local gigs and recorded some songs, he said. “I’ve played in some beer joints,” Webb said. “You don’t make much
money. You drink more beer but it’s fun.” Living in Seguin allows him to also visit extended family in Austin. He had a fine career and is happy with how it turned out. The 61-year-old said he’s also happy about his time away from the military and what military retirement is shaping up to be. He runs a consulting business and says he doesn’t want to spend all of his time working. Looking back, Webb fondly remembers every step of his career and says it all came about as happenstance. But he’s never been shy about putting in the work, which helped along the way, he said as he imparted words of wisdom. “Basically every major decision in my life has been … ‘that seems cool,’” Webb said. “The secret to having a good career is work hard and have a good attitude. You don’t have to smooch butt, none of that. Work hard and have a good attitude and leaders will take care of you.”
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{ FEATURE }
pond
Philosophy getting hooked on reeling in fish leads to a passion for giving back to veterans and the community
Story by Nolan Alexander Photos courtesy of Chester Jenke
K
eeping up with a hobby, like professional fishing, while balancing a busy schedule at work and at home is challenging. It requires hours on the water patiently waiting on a bite that may never come and even more prep work is necessary before the boat even touches a body of water. Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce President Chester Jenke makes it look easy as he continues to serve the community while earning recognition as a high-level angler at the state level for the past several years. His passion for professional fishing first sparked during his time enlisted in the United States Air Force as a C-5 crewman when a friend suggested a weekend on the water, Jenke said. 18 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
“The fishing bug bit me while I was in the military with another buddy of mine, Sandy Glanton,” he said. “Sandy and I fished together and we thought we were okay, we caught a couple of fish. So then we started to fish some tournaments together and realized we were okay.” The dynamic duo honed their skills and joined a small fishing club called Altus Fishing Bass Club, based out of Altus Air Force base — where they were stationed — in Altus, Oklahoma. After winning some smaller tournaments, Jenke and Glanton joined the bigger military affiliation called Military Bass and the pair won the championship the year they joined the club. Two years later, they captured that title again.
After 23 years of service in the Air Force, Jenke retired and moved to the Seguin area to raise his family, which also came with hanging up the fishing poles in storage. That moment was not a goodbye but instead a see you later. Parents with young kids know taking care of the family comes first and that means becoming fully invested in your kids’ activities, Jenke said. “When my kids started getting bigger I gave up fishing for a while to raise kids,” he said. “I became a soccer dad, volleyball dad, baseball dad and cross country dad.” 20 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
But when the Jenke household became an empty nest, his passion for getting back on the water kicked back up. “Me and my son went to a small scramble on Lake Dunlap and I probably have not been fishing in over 10 years,” Jenke said. “As soon as we touched the water everything came back so fast. After days of rain, we thought it was going to be a miserable day on the water and what truly happened was it was an amazing day. We absolutely slayed the fish and when we won that tournament it just kind of reignited the fuse again.”
In the last three years — taking out 2020 because of COVID-19 — Jenke fished for B.A.S.S. Nation, which includes all 50 states. To qualify for this prestigious league, anglers must place in the top 25 in their respective states as a bass fisherman. “I have been fortunate enough to be able to qualify for the Texas tournament the past three years and as of right now I am qualified for this year,” Jenke said. “I do plan on attending.” Last year’s run was the most memorable for the chamber president because of how resilient he was after a slow day one.
Landing in 47th place after days of fishing, Jenke shifted strategies and fished in places he was not familiar with, which ended up being the correct move. Fishing near the dock netted him his biggest fish of the tournament and shot him up the leaderboards to 13th — his best placement. As a military veteran, a big part of Jenke’s philosophy in life is to give back in whatever way possible. Jenke does WEDDING VENUE, BANQUET HALL, this best by connecting with current and MEETING ROOMS AVAILABLE former military veterans, taking them Perfect for Weddings, Birthdays, on the water and putting their minds at Dances, Service Club Meetings and ease with fishing rods. Fundraising holds up to 225 people “Currently, I do a yearly program called Soldiers on the Water,” he said. “We take those soldiers from Joint Base San Antonio or from Fort Holds up to 70 people Cavazos up in Temple and we take FULL SERVICE CATERING AVAILABLE them out on Canyon Lake for a day to fish with them.” Another program that has sparked Book your christmas party now! the chamber president’s interest is Cast Now booking for 2024. Book your event early! for Kids. “This program is directed to mili830-303-6612 • 510 E. Court - Seguin • www.silvercenterseguin.com tary families' kiddos because a lot of the time they don’t have that opportunity,” he said. “Our goal is to take them out and introduce them to the sport of fishing.” On top of his passion for these programs, Jenke said the most important part is just being there for veterans when they go through tough times. Dragging their mind away to other places is sometimes just the thing they need. RANKED TOP 2% IN THE NATION FOR JOINT & TOTAL KNEE “These programs are very theraREPLACEMENT BY HEALTHGRADES IN 2022 peutic because most of these guys are just getting back from a deployment or High quality care for musculoskeletal they’re within 90-120 days of going on disorders and injuries. •Sports injuries •Trauma •Fractures a deployment,” he said. “It gets them •Joint Replacements •Arthritis •Hand/Foot Problems out, they don’t even have to think about Walnut Springs Family Health We Accept Most Insurances, Including Worker’s Comp & Medicaid deployment.” G. Steven White, MD trent J. twitero, MD 309 Silverado St., La Vernia As of right now, Jenke enjoys workCall for an appt. 830-379-9492 ing in Seguin and spending his days off 280 S. King St. Seguin, TX on the water. But when the time finally • • • comes for the chamber president to Walnut Springs Family Health retire, there is only one thing he can think of that will pass the time. 309 Silverado St. LaVernia, TX “People ask me all the time what LaVernia Patients Seen Thursday Mornings Patients also seen in Kenedy I’m going to be doing when I retire,” Prompt Appointments Available! Jenke said. “I tell them I’m going to fish, Most insurances accepted then fish some more.”
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{ FEATURE }
Gallop Toward
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Story by Bianca Rawlings Photos by Victoria Gaytan
I
n Seguin, veteran Rick Jansen stands as a living testament to the transformative power of military service. His journey, one that began on a modest dairy farm in rural Nebraska, exemplifies the boundless opportunities and invaluable life experiences the armed forces can bestow upon those who answer the call of duty. Born into a family of 12, Jansen’s upbringing on the Nebraska farm instilled in him the values of hard work, unwavering determination and a deep sense of service to others. Yet, his aspirations stretched beyond the boundaries of the farm, prompting him to make a pivotal decision after graduating high school: He enlisted in the United States Army. This choice
opened doors to a world he only dreamed of, which led to a life enriched by mentorship, structure and transformative experiences. The consistent mentorship he received — particularly from Sgt. Michael Chew — profoundly influenced Jansen’s military journey. “That very first exposure, in the very first unit, is key,” Jansen said. This kind of early mentorship often can set the tone in someone’s life. Sometimes an individual needs a mentor in their life who will urge them to make a pivotal choice, especially as a young person fresh out of high school. “Sgt. Chew, he’s the one that got me interested in school. He said, ‘You are gonna sign up for college whether you GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 23
want to or not,’” Jansen said. “He put me on a really good path.” Jansen seized this opportunity with unwavering determination, ultimately earning both an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in project management. His military service also provided a chance to travel and experience diverse cultures, broadening his horizons beyond the confines of the farm he once called home. However, the impact of Jansen’s military journey extended beyond personal accomplishments. The GI Bill’s flexibility allowed Jansen to allocate a portion of its benefits to his daughter’s college education, ensuring the continuity of opportunities for the next generation. "I am very grateful I stayed for that 24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
long, [more than 20 years], as it really allows me to do what I want to do now, post-retirement, versus just having to work a job to make ends meet,” Jansen said. Today, the veteran stands as a successful professional in Seguin. He acknowledges the military not only equipped him with an education but also instilled invaluable life skills, unwavering discipline and strong leadership acumen. Jansen’s journey underscores the endless opportunities that military service can provide, particularly for individuals from modest backgrounds. It highlights the significance of mentorship, a structured framework and life-altering encounters that the armed forces offer. His transformation from
a Nebraska farmboy to becoming an educated veteran and a community leader embodies the American dream, which can be realized through unwavering commitment, opportunity and dedication to serving one’s country. Jansen actively contributes to his community through a nonprofit organization he founded, Hopeful Acres. Specializing in equine therapy, Hopeful Acres extends a therapeutic embrace to individuals, especially veterans, seeking solace and support. Jansen’s commitment to his community is evident through “Vet Mondays,” a program close to his heart. “I went through an equine therapy program myself when I was active duty and perhaps facing a few things,” he said.
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(830) 566-1077
(830) 626-3280 992 Business IH35 S 830-214-0622
1044 Hwy. 123 (512) 396-3439
at FM 3009
at Landa St.
at Court St.
Next to Kohl’s
San MarCoS
opEn: Mon - fri 8aM-6pM • Sat 8aM-5pM
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SEGUIn
128 Hwy. 46 S at Court St.
(830) 379-6659 123 S. King St. (830) 379-6654
SCHErtZ
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SEGUIn
988 Mission Dr.
1190 Borgfeld Rd.
128 Hwy. 46 S
(830) 625-0401 482 Hwy. 46 S
(830) 566-1077
(830) 379-6659
San MarCoS
(830) 626-3280 992 Business IH35 S 830-214-0622
1044 Hwy. 123 (512) 396-3439
123 S. King St. (830) 379-6654
at FM 3009
at Landa St.
Next to Kohl’s
opEn: Mon - fri 8aM-6pM • Sat 8aM-5pM
at Court St.
nEW BraUnfElS 988 Mission Dr. at Landa St.
SCHErtZ
1190 Borgfeld Rd. at FM 3009
(830) 625-0401 482 Hwy. 46 S
(830) 566-1077
(830) 626-3280 992 Business IH35 S 830-214-0622
1044 Hwy. 123 (512) 396-3439
(512)396-3439 396-3493 (512) (512) 396-3439 Next to Kohl’s
San MarCoS
opEn: Mon - fri 8aM-6pM • Sat 8aM-5pM
830-214-0622 830-214-0622 opEn: Mon - 830-214-0622 fri 8aM-6pM • Sat 8aM-5pM not just oil, pennzoil
SEGUIn
128 Hwy. 46 S
nEW BraUnfElS
SCHErtZ
988 Mission Dr.
1190 Borgfeld Rd.
(830) 625-0401 482 Hwy. 46 S
(830) 566-1077
(830) 626-3280 992 Business IH35 S 830-214-0622
1044 Hwy. 123 (512) 396-3439
opEn: 8aM-6pM Sat8aM-5pM 8aM-5pM opEn: opEn:Mon Mon Mon --- fri fri fri 8aM-6pM 8aM-6pM •••Sat Sat 8aM-5pM at Court St.
(830) 379-6659 123 S. King St. (830) 379-6654
at Landa St.
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at FM 3009
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KAYDEN PARK I KAYDEN PARK III 1913 Post Road NO W
“That’s where I found equine therapy to be very, very positive for me and soothing. It helped me work through some challenges.” Jansen is proud of his military service and of his continued service to the veteran community through his nonprofit. “Bringing vets out will always be a huge, a huge part of the program,” he said. Terrie Reynolds, an Army veteran, joined the group a few weeks ago and felt a deep sense of community and connection with everyone she met so far, she said. Reynolds was introduced to Hopeful Acres by another veteran, Aimee Martell, whom she met in a veteran’s page on social media. Martell served in the Air Force as a medic and went on to become a mental health therapist. "[Veterans] get what they need from a session. The great thing about it is that veterans are connected and they get to share their stories… things that they might not have been able to tell a therapist,” Martell said. Martell has felt the benefits from horse therapy so much that she became certified in equine assisted psychotherapy and began volunteering her time and expertise with Jansen. “I feel that it’s different in equine therapy as people kind of work through things unintentionally and so they’re receiving the benefits naturally. … The most beautiful thing about horse therapy is that the horse feels what you are feeling, you can’t lie to a horse,” Martell said. Her work with Hopeful Acres has a profound impact, Jansen said. “She has been a resource for our veterans from the minute she began serving as a volunteer at Hopeful Acres,” he said. One thing Jansen and many veterans in the group agreed on is that in equine therapy, the horse is the therapist and you cannot help but to connect with it on a deep emotional and spiritual level. Jansen’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it is a narrative of giving back, ensuring that pathways of opportunity remain open for others, just as they were for him.
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{ FEATURE }
from sailor to
Roast Master The Caffeinated Creations of a Veteran Coffee Bean Genius
Story by Alex Lowe Photos by Felicia Frazar
I
t has been said that behind every successful person there is a substantial amount of coffee. In the case of Navy veteran Jose Alaniz, he is the substantial man behind the successful coffee. The Seguin resident is the founder, owner and brewer of Third Day Coffee, a custom roasted, specialty blend that is produced on his property and sold online. The Texas Mesquite roasted coffee beans that Alaniz produces for his loyal customers have already developed a cult following. Now, with an added focus on flavors like Seguin Pecan, which is roasted over pecan shells and flavor roasted beans with pecan oil and a plan that will include selling coffee by the cup, Third Day Coffee figures to gain even more attention. But the story of how Alaniz found his way into the world of coffee roasting is even more compelling than 26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
the aroma of freshly roasting coffee beans wafting out of his converted smoker. Originally from San Antonio, Alaniz is the son of a former Air Force CI. Hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps, Alaniz met with the first of several diversions in his life that took him down an unexpected path. “I graduated from high school with every intention of following in my dad’s footsteps,” said Alaniz. “I wanted to be just like him. But there was a recruiting freeze on in the Air Force at the time. After several trips to the recruiting station, one day I saw this old salty dog standing there by the door smoking a cigarette. He was from the Navy. He told me that the Navy offered all the same stuff as the Air Force did and that they were hiring. I was tired of waiting so I joined the Navy in March of 1990.” Upon leaving the Navy after a
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 27
four-year stretch, Alaniz married, had a child, divorced and went through his share of struggles which included alcohol and drugs. Eventually, Alaniz found stability with his second wife, Connie, an epidemiologist, and purpose when he found Jesus Christ. “I began working with Shriners International,” said Alaniz. “There, I worked with our injured soldiers in the hospital at Fort Sam Houston. I was involved in this for more than a decade.” During this time, in early 2016, Alaniz’s father told him that he had stage IV lung cancer and did not plan to treat it. “This was a pivotal point in my life,” Alaniz said of his father’s illness. “I grew up with this very machismo, Mexican dad who came home from work, sat at the head of the table, crossed his arms and waited for my mom to serve 28 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
him. He was the toughest guy I’d ever known. When he was sick, I was trying to get him to see a pastor but he told me that the only pastor he would talk to had to be a colonel or better. We got the pastor to come over to our house one night and he tells my dad that he is a general in God’s army, which made my dad laugh and really broke the tension.” His father died three weeks later. “When dad got sick in 2016, it kind of put my life on a whole different course again,” Alaniz said. “To that point, all I knew about coffee was Folgers in a cup. I was going to church and checking the boxes but I really hadn’t come to know God. Later that year, I came to accept Christ in a more meaningful, complete way. My wife and I had been married for 13 years to that point, but we like to say that we really didn’t fall in love with each other until that happened.”
After his father died, a fateful trip Down Under turned him toward a life in coffee. “In 2014, my daughter, who lived in New Zealand, had a baby so we went to meet our grandchild,” he said. “At the time, I didn’t know I was in one of the greatest places on the planet for coffee. While I was out for a jog, I wanted a cup of coffee. There was this mom and pop place and the line was out the door. So I decided to check that out.” That cup along with another changed everything for Alaniz. “I had never had coffee that good in my life,” he said. “Then a short time later, we are in Australia taking a photo in front of the symphony and I see this little shack where this guy is selling coffee. So I tried a cup and it was even better than the place in New Zealand. I asked the guy what his secret was and he
said that he didn’t grind the coffee until someone ordered it. That was his secret. So when I came home, I got this little roaster from Amazon and started roasting it myself. That was how it began.” But it didn’t really take off until the mad scientist in Alaniz began to reveal himself. “One day I’m out grilling steaks and I asked myself how mesquite coffee might taste. So I threw some beans in some foil and put it in the rotisserie and I started to get a little taste of something. So I knew I had to chase this down.” Eventually this led to Alaniz taking his smoker pit, altering it to accommodate about 6 pounds of coffee and the rest, as they say, is history. Ashley Williams, owner of Legacy Farms Coffee, heard of Alaniz through a Facebook coffee group and decided to reach out. “We struck up a friendship and I started buying my coffee from him as he owned a coffee farm in Honduras,” Alaniz said. “He and his wife were both missionaries.” Third Day Coffee opened in 2019. Alaniz took out his retirement to purchase a new custom-made propane roaster that provides for even heat while smoking wood in a fire box that adds the unique Mesquite flavor. Rather than leasing a storefront, Alaniz purchased a pair of shipping containers, welded them together on his 10-acre property and used it as his roastery for his specialty grade coffee. Alaniz credits not only God but also his military background and training as being essential to his success. “I know that the military teaches you discipline, tenacity and resilience as principles for living,” he said. “There is good reason why the average businesses started by people with non-military backgrounds tend to be less successful. A military background also preaches loyalty and camaraderie. At Third Day Coffee, we are trying to give back to our brothers and sisters. We support several veteran charities related to PTSD. One of them is Combat Marine Outdoors. Another is EOD Warrior Foundation.”
Special thanks to the
VETERANS OF OUR COMMUNITY & OUR ANDERS PIERCE FAMILY
for your dedication. 109 W Court St Seguin
480 S Seguin ave New braunfels
830-372-9466 830-214-6002
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{ ON THE SCENE }
Legacy Sculpting A
Man Honors father, and all those who served, through art and a strong dedication to community Story by Felicia Frazar Photos by Felicia Frazar and courtesy of John Jellison
E
very time John Jellison gets on a motorcycle, he carries two veterans with him. As an American Legion Rider, Jellison’s vest is adorned with patches and medals, as well as photos of his father and grandfather. Although he’s not a veteran himself, he supports veterans and veteran service organizations, such as the Sons of the American Legion, which he currently serves as the third division commander for the state of Texas. Jellison joined the organization at the behest of his father during a rough time in his life. “It gave me a purpose,” Jellison said. “Once he passed away, I got into the American Legion to honor his service. That is what the Sons of the American Legion do, they honor their fathers and grandfathers. It is a legacy thing. I do this to honor my father and it’s been a pleasure. It’s a proud heritage that Sons of the American Legion have for their fathers.” Jellison’s service to the organization is now visible through a pair of statues he carved. The most recent, “Follow Me,” is a permanent fixture at the American Legion Post 245 at 618 E. Kingsbury St. 30 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
The statue features a World War II soldier lying on the ground pointing with a pair of dogs — Sgt. Stubby and Smokey — leading the way. Long-time friend and Sons of the American Legion Cmdr. Jay Macleod approached Jellison about carving a statue for the local American Legion to honor veterans. When Jellison found the perfect piece of wood, he began chipping away. After about six months of sculpting, the 10-foot piece was finished and installed at the American Legion Post 245. Inspiration for the soldier came from a famed picture from Iwo Jima. At the far right, there is a solider wearing a backpack and pointing toward the flag. “I took the likeness of him and imagined him on the ground with his finger pointing and that is the guy I carved,” Jellison said. For the dogs, he selected Sgt. Stubby and Smokey. Sgt. Stubby served in World War I as a member of the Rainbow Division and was the first canine to promote to sergeant status by earning numerous awards and two battle stripes. He was awarded four combat stars for
his work in 17 battles and four campaigns during his 18 months of service. Smokey, who served during World War II, is known as the first therapy dog. She is credited with a combat jump, eight battle stars and numerous awards, as well as saving the lives of more than 750 airmen in New Guiana. She never performed the same trick twice for anyone she ever performed in front of. Wood sculpting was something very new to Jellison, who only carved a handful of items, including walking sticks, prior to his foray into large statues. “I like being busy. I retired about five or six years ago and I wanted something to do. I’ve always been artistic,” he said. “I just thought if I was going to carve something, I’d carve a little Indian head and my grandson has it. My neighbor had a crepe myrtle tree so i got a bunch of the branches and when I get in the mood, I grab a branch and start carving. I just see what I want to carve and I take the wood off.” With the sculpture project behind him, Jellison said he’ll stick to carving canes for now and continue showing his support for veterans through his service.
AD2 Bill Alexander
SP4 Felix Arambula Jr.
MAJ Troy Arambula
SGT John E. Aylesworth
Maj PAUL L. BARK
U.S. Navy 1990-1999
U.s. Army 1967-1969
U.s. Army 18 years
U.S. Marine corps. 1999-2012
U.S. ARMY 1958 - 1973
cpo WILLIAM BARK jr.
SGT Bruce Brawner
VETERANS OF SEGUIN A SALUTE TO LOCAL HEROES U.S. Navy
U.S. Marine corps. 8 Years
Matthew Brittain
Nathan Brittain
Nina Brittain
MSG Steve Burke
Randy Burnsides
Army 2017-present
U.S. Army 2017-2021
U.S. Navy 2021- present
U.s. Air Force 21 years
SGT Augustine Camacho Jr.
Carol j. Cochran
CPO Frank Cochran
SGT David Corrales
SGT Kaitlyn Dasher
U.s. Marine Corps 1980-1984
U.s. navy 3 years
U.s. Navy 1970-1991
U.S. Marine corps.
U.S. Marine corps. 2015-2020
MSG Robert Dasher
SPC SABRINA DEETS
SSgt CHRISTOPHER DEETS
SGT EDWARD FRAZAR
SSG Pete De La Fuente
U.S. Army 1995-present
U.S. ARMY
U.S. ARMY
U.S. national guard
U.s. Army 1965-1969 U.s. Navy 1972-1990
Dina Dillon
PFC Ed Engelhardt
Calvin Fletcher
U.s. Navy 1988-1989
U.S. Army 1954-1955
U.s. Navy 1983-1998
U.s. Air Force & Navy
U.S. Army 20 years
SGT Janie Garcia
CPL Juan Garcia
SGT Marc Garcia
e-5 Thomas Garcia
SGT Dee Griffin
U.S. Army 3 years
U.S. Army 3 Years
U.S. Army 15 years
U.S. Army 1966-1970
U.S. Army 1965-1968
CPL Jordan c. Guerrero
CPT Barry Jackson
SPC4 Alfredo Jimenez
SSgt Leslie “pete” Kallies
SGM Daniel Kessinger
U.s. Marine Corps 2007-2011
U.s. Army 8 Years
U.s. Army 1965-1971
U.S. Air Force 1951-1955
U.S. Army 1984-2009
SGM Linda Kessinger
lCPL James King
PO Knittle
Fred Legunas
PFC Timothy Paul Lucey Sr.
U.S. Army 1985-2017
U.S. Marine Corps. 1964-1967
active
U.S. Air Force 1970-1991
U.S. Marine corps. 1960-1966
CPL ed Mantooth
Amy McCarthy
COL Floyd McKee
SGT Gerald Moltz
CPT Jim Monkerud
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army National Guard
U.S. AIR FORCE 1970 - 1978
U.S. Marine corps. 1966-1970
CPO Guadalupe Garcia Jr. SGT Maria Garcia-Huitron
SRA Stacey m. Mycue
ltc Therese Obisinski
Tsgt patrick H. O’BRYAN
SSGT Forrest O’shay
Joe Patterson
U.S. Air Force 1988-1992
U.S. ARMY
U.S. ARMY air corp. 4 years
U.S. ARMY
U.S. Army
CPO Richard Pena
TSGT darrell phelps
Jason Polanco
msgt Christopher Queen
SMSGT felisa ramirez
U.S. NAVY 24.5 YEARS
U.S. air force 1958 - 1978
U.S. MARINE CORPS 10 YEARS
U.S. ARMY
U.S. AIR FORCE 1982 - 2004
CMSGT JERRY RAMIREZ
sgt Kaylyn Ramirez
CWO Joe Ramos
SPC4 Gloria CAMACHO Rangel
Cpt earl E. reDdix III
U.S. AIR FORCE 1980 - 2004
U.S. MARINE CORPS. 2016-PRESENT
U.S. COAST GUARD 23 YEARS
U.S. ARMY 1979-1982
U.S. ARMY
Frank I. Redix
Lionel L. Redix
Michael Redix
LtCol Patricia A. Redix
Vance B. Redix
U.S. ARMY 1967 - 1970
U.S. ARMY 1966 - 1970
U.S. ARMY 1987 - 1990
U.S. ARMY
U.S. ARMY 3 years
Vancy “Vinny” B. Redix Jr.
Reno A. Reiley
Reno W. Reiley
SFC Frank Rippel
SPC5 Eddie Rodriquez
U.S. ARMY
U.S. Army 1942 – 1945
U. S. Air Force 1967 – 1971
U.S. AIR FORCE 1971-1990
U.S. ARMY 1969-72
Manuel Rodriguez
U.S. air force 1958 - 1962
Manuel L. Rodriguez
U.S. Marine CorpS 1980 - 1986
COL Joe Saenz
U.S. AIR FORCE 25.5 YEARS
U.S. AIR FORCE
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★
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Legion
H.U.TO Wood PostPUBLIC #245 OPEN THE Wood Post #245Texas 618 E.H.U. Kingsbury • Seguin, H.U. Wood Post #245 618 E. Kingsbury • Seguin, H.U. Wood Post #245 Texas 618 E. Kingsbury • Seguin, Texas H.U. Wood Post• #245 For more information call 379-1079. 618 For E. Kingsbury Seguin, Texas more information call379-1079. 379-1079. For more information call
618 E. Kingsbury • Seguin, Texas
For more information call 379-1079.
M.E. Plumbingcall has served clients in For more information 379-1079.
Seguin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Luling, La Vernia, Gonzales and surrounding areas of Texas since 2005.
2023 THE OF
SG H
ST BE
SGT David Serna
Saluting those who defend our freedom.
BES T
U.S. air force 1958 - 1962
veterans of seguin – A SALUTE TO LOCAL HEROES
Joe C. Rodriguez
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TSgt Philip Silvia
CWo3 James Sowders
Bryan Spahn
SGt Marion Stolicki
SPC4 leonard Sutton jr.
U.S. Air Force
U.S. ARMY, NAVY & MARINES 1940-1946
U.S. MARINE CORPS.
U.S. ARMY
U.S. ARMY 1962 - 1964
Lloyd Sutton
A1c Daryl Styblo
Maj Curtis Timmerman
po3 Dwain Trost
po3 Jim Ulbrich
U.S. Army 6 years
U.S. AIR FORCE 1962-1966
U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
U.S. COAST GUARD
U.S. NAVY 1945-1946
Domingo Urquiza
sgt Rosario Valle
po2 Charles Villeneuve
Norwin H. Vogel
CPT Larry Weir
U.S. ARMY 1958
U.S. ARMY 2 YEARS VIETNAM
U.S. NAVY 1966-1970
U.S. Navy 1950 - 1954
U.S. Army 1970-1976
tsgt Kathryn Whitt
CHESTER JENKE
FLOYD MCKEE
STANLEY NAUMANN
U.S, AIR FORCE 21 YEARS
U.S. AIR FORCE
U.S. AIR FORCE
U.S. ARMY
Lt Chuck askey
PO3 Marvel Maddox
U.S. NAVY
U.S. NAVY
SRA Mark Shellard
U.S. AIR FORCE
JIM KAELIN
U.S. ARMY
LT Col Melvin J. Grones
U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS.
PETER GLAWE
BRAD WEBB
TOME WALTERS
U.S. AIR FORCE
U.S. AIR FORCE
PO1 James Campa
Col Ronald Colunga
PO3 Mike Turby
U.S. NAVY
U.S. AIR FORCE
U.S. NAVY
U.S. AIR FORCE
Col Charles Foss
U.S. AIR FORCE
ATLEE FRITZ
U.S. AIR FORCE
not pictured: LCpl Douglas Hawkins - u.s. Marines and po3 Daniel Sassenhagen
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TODAY AND EVERY SINGLE DAY,
WEFORSALUTE YOU THE SACRIFICES YOU GIVE TO OUR NATION. TO THE HEROES OF SEGUIN, TEXAS, SO TRUE, WE OFFER OUR THANKS, OUR GRATITUDE TO YOU. YOU'VE STOOD WITH COURAGE AND MIGHT, DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM, DAY AND NIGHT. IN THE LONE STAR STATE, YOUR SPIRIT SHINES BRIGHT, YOUR SACRIFICES, A BEACON OF LIGHT. THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, YOU'VE STOOD STRONG, A TESTAMENT TO ALL THAT IS RIGHT AND JUST, ALL ALONG. FROM SEGUIN'S HEART, WE EXTEND OUR EMBRACE, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SERVICE, WE'RE IN AWE OF YOUR GRACE. YOU'VE SAFEGUARDED OUR LAND, OUR DREAMS, OUR WAY, ON THIS VETERANS DAY, WE HONOR YOU TODAY.
12300 HUBER RD., SEGUIN, TX 78155 (512) 214-1614 WWW.HARPERHILLRANCH.COM
Get ready to be transported
to a Winter Wonderland
at Father Christmas Shop located in downtown Seguin, Texas. Father Christmas Shop promises to transport you into a magical world of Christmas. As soon as you step inside, your senses will be enticed by the in-house Christmas fragrances. With an abundance of themed Christmas trees, you will feel like you’ve walked into a dream-like fairy tale.
Father Christmas Shop
101 South River Street • Seguin, Texas 78155 • 830-243-1430 fatherchristmasshop.com Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 am to 6 pm • Sunday 12 to 5 pm GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 37
{ save the date }
EVENT C A L E N D A R - NOVEMBER 2023 Art & Wine Walk: Eleventh – 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Sample delicious wines from wineries at different stops in downtown Seguin. Each stop will feature a local artist and their work as well as some appetizers and other treats. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Fall Fly-In: Eleventh – 9 am - 4 pm
See airplanes, vehicles, nifty stuff and more! We’ll have car clubs, fly-in aircraft, food trucks, re-enactors and lots of fun! Everyone’s invited! Location: Old Kingsbury Aerodrome, 190 S. Pershing Rd., Kingsbury TX
Third Thursday: Sixteenth – 4-8 pm
Visit beautiful downtown Seguin for a lovely evening filled with shopping, friends & food trucks. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Lighted Holiday Parade: Thirtieth – 6:30 PM
Featuring over 70 entries decked out in lights, the parade starts at the intersection of Austin and College and travels south on Austin Street to the Seguin Events Complex. At the end of the parade, the mayor will hit the switch to turn on the lights in downtown. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
- DECEMBER Sip N’ Stroll: First – 6 - 9 PM
Stroll through downtown tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate. Enjoy shopping at Seguin’s downtown businesses, live entertainment, photos with Santa and a variety of food vendors. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Jingle Bell Run 5k: Second – 8:30 am
Come dressed in your best holiday gear. Prizes for top three holiday costumes! Open to athletes of all levels – walkers, joggers and runners. Strollers and friendly dogs on a leash are welcome. Online registration closes at midnight on 12/1/23. Event will be held rain or shine. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
North Pole Stroll: Second – 10 am - 2 pm
Come out to Central Park for a fun, FREE kid-friendly day of holiday activities. Enjoy music, snow machines and festive décor all in beautiful Central Park located in holly jolly downtown Seguin! Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Send event details to seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com to have your event added to this calendar
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