“Let’s take care of our own” was the rallying cry back in 1964 when Air Force Village opened its doors as a home for military widows. It reflected the desire of Helen LeMay, wife of General Curtis LeMay, to build a retirement community based on the traditions of camaraderie and service.
Not long after, Air Force Village began welcoming all retired veterans. Then, in 2014, our family expanded to include vibrant seniors who’ve served in education, medicine, and all walks of life. We also changed our name to Blue Skies of Texas to honor this new vision.
Now, we’re celebrating 10 years as Blue Skies of Texas—including being named #1 retirement community in San Antonio and #14 in the nation. To get a sense of how far we’ve come, let’s hear from one Air Force wife—and current Blue Skies resident—who was there at the start.
A Connection That Stretches Back Decades
Sandy, a resident of seven years, fondly remembers her days as a young bride at Lackland Air Force Base in 1964.
“One day while my husband was at pilot training, a major’s wife knocked on my door and said ‘I’m taking you to your first wives’ coffee,’” Sandy explains. “The speakers included Helen LeMay, along with the wives of other prominent generals, who emphasized the need for a senior living community for Air Force widows. Everyone was so inspired by her commitment to a culture of service, we marched out ready to sell cookies, work bazaars, and do whatever else it took to make the dream a reality.”
All that effort came full circle several decades later, when Sandy’s husband asked her what she wanted for her birthday. “I told him I wanted a place at Air Force Village. After all, I’ve served on so many committees and worked so many fundraisers, I already feel like I own the place,” she laughs.
Years later, Sandy overheard her husband tell his skiing buddies that it was one of the smartest decisions he ever made. “I wasn’t surprised to hear that,” she says. “The whole tapestry of what Blue Skies offers—the amenities, the activities, and the nationally recognized continuum of care—is almost impossible to find anywhere else.”
Cultivating a Culture of Service
Nobody waved a magic wand to create the original Air Force Village. It took tireless fundraising efforts, including appeal letters sent to Air Force Officer’s Wives’ Clubs worldwide, to bring our San Antonio Life Plan Community to fruition. Decades later, this “can-do” spirit still drives our culture—especially for the folks who live here.
“All of us, residents and staff, take pride in being doers, working together to serve our community,” Sandy says. “Recently, I went to a fantastic off-campus seminar about kidney care and thought it would be a great program for Blue Skies. So I reached out to the lady who gave it, and got our Wellness & Life Enrichment Director and our Activities Coordinator, and other members of the Blue Skies family on board as well. Together, we’re making it happen.”
And when card enthusiasts needed a place to gather for bridge, canasta, or even a small party, they worked with the Blue Skies team to set aside a two-bedroom apartment for that very purpose. “Now, there are dishes, silverware, and even a fridge,” Sandy says. “It makes it so much easier to socialize with neighbors when game night rolls around.”
An Ice Storm Brings Out the Spirit of Camaraderie Between Neighbors
If you ask anyone—military or civilian—what makes Blue Skies so unique, they’ll tell you that there’s a sense of camaraderie and belonging that you’d be hard-pressed to find in other retirement communities. Now that retired veterans and nonmilitary folks both reside here, our community has been enriched by social connections that have formed between seniors of all backgrounds.
The Blue Skies spirit of camaraderie was also on full display back in 2021, when winter storm Uri dumped record amounts of snow and ice on Texas while sending temperatures plummeting. Like more than four million other Texans, the residents at Blue Skies found themselves without power. But instead of complaining, they jumped into action.
“Folks went out of their way to check in on each other and help—whether that meant an extra blanket, a flashlight, or a little bit of company,” Sandy says. “It just goes to show that we’re still taking care of our own.”
Experience Our Heritage—and See Why We’re San Antonio’s #1 Retirement Community
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary as Blue Skies of Texas, we’d love to talk with you about elevating your retirement with a chore-free lifestyle, warm camaraderie, and a nationally recognized continuum of high-quality care.
To schedule your tour of our vibrant Life Plan Community in San Antonio, click here or call 866-553-5389.
