Honoring the men and women who’ve served is a 365-day commitment at Blue Skies of Texas—one that is amplified every May as we observe Military Appreciation Month. Across our San Antonio senior living community, residents and staff take time to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices made by our armed forces members, past and present.
That’s not surprising, as Blue Skies was founded as Air Force Village more than five decades ago. Since then, we’ve enriched our community by welcoming all military veterans—as well as vibrant seniors who’ve contributed to education, medicine, and many other fields. All share the values of service and camaraderie that have been our touchstone since day one.
We caught up with two of these inspiring residents, Stet and Karen R., and asked them for their thoughts about Military Appreciation Month and the connections they’ve formed since moving to Blue Skies in 2019.
THIS ACCOMPLISHED PAIR SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN
Stet and Karen, who have two Air Force commissions between them, met while they were next-door neighbors at Gunner Air Force Station in Montgomery, Alabama. Both were later assigned to Randolph Air Force Base before moving to New Mexico after retiring from the service.
It was during their time in New Mexico that the pair began considering a Life Plan Community. “My aunt and uncle lived in a California community for 23 years,” explains Stet, a retired colonel. “They advised us to move while we could enjoy all the amenities and get to know the neighbors and staff. Then, if we needed care later, we would still be ‘at home.’”
“We looked at many other communities and found that Blue Skies in San Antonio was most able to meet our long-term needs,” adds Karen, a retired Air Force Major. As someone with a PhD in psychology, she was particularly impressed with Freedom House, the Blue Skies Alzheimer’s/memory care center, which works in collaboration with the renowned Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases. “It made our decision even easier,” Karen explains.
The couple hit the ground running as soon as they arrived. Stet found a sense of purpose as a member and chair of our Residents’ Council (RC), where he currently represents our community garden. “Every day runs the gamut between relaxing and going full bore,” he says.
Not to be outdone, Karen gives her time and talent to our Dining Room Advisory Council. She also arranged to have the San Antonio Symphonic Band—in which she plays trombone—perform on campus. “Anyone who says they’re bored here isn’t trying very hard,” she laughs.
BUILDING CAMARADERIE WITH NEIGHBORS—BOTH VETERAN AND CIVILIAN
Until 2014, Blue Skies was a community for retired military personnel and their spouses, and the language and values of the service are still woven into the fabric of life here. Stet, however, believes that our Blue Skies family has been deeply enhanced by civilian residents.
“The camaraderie here is great,” Stet says. “Karen and I share a lot in common with our retired military neighbors, and socializing and working with our civilian friends cultivates a cross-pollination of ideas. On the RC, for example, the military has a certain way of doing things, but sometimes a fresh outlook can help us address issues in ways we hadn’t considered.”
Stet has also found fellowship—and fitness—by joining our seasoned soles walking group. “I usually walk 2.5 miles or so three days a week, and it takes me about 17 minutes per mile,” he says with pride. Karen adds, “Yeah … he’s the guy who said he’d never walk when we first moved in.”
RETIRED FROM THE SERVICE … BUT NOT FROM SERVING
It’s no secret that Blue Skies residents relish the opportunity to continue serving their neighbors and community—and Stet and Karen are no exception. Karen oversees our ambassador program, which connects current and potential residents. “I try to match a prospect’s background and interests with those of a resident,” she explains. “Then I can arrange a lunch or dinner knowing that everyone already has something in common.”
For Stet, his call to service brought him to our 11th Hour Group, a hospice support program at Blue Skies. “When families live far away, or can’t stay at a loved one’s bedside 24/7, we keep them company during their final hours,” he explains. “I find it exceptionally rewarding, and we get a lot of thanks from the family, particularly those traveling from a distance.”
MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH: A TIME RICH IN MEANING
“I know it’s been said, but every month is Military Appreciation Month at Blue Skies—from the staff members who go above and beyond to residents helping their fellow veterans complete the paperwork they need to receive their benefits,” Karen says. Stet adds: “As a third-generation Air Force brat, I also love looking at the old photographs and memorabilia displayed throughout the community. My father used to talk about events like World War I, but I was too young to understand. I certainly understand now.”
There’s an extra sense of pride and gratitude in the air during the month of May, especially as Memorial Day draws near. “We’re the only senior living community I know of that has its own color guard,” Karen says. “Stet and I are very proud of the fact that we can still fit into our uniforms, which we wear at the ceremony each year.”
“We also have a Memorial Day poppy sale,” Stet adds. “Last year, we raised $1,100 for San Antonio’s Nonprofit Military Warrior Support Foundation, and we hope to surpass that total in 2026.”
CELEBRATE YOUR ROOTS AND FIND YOUR WINGS
Blue Skies of Texas has grown into the #1 retirement community in Texas and #8 in the nation by combining a culture of service with gracious amenities, sincere camaraderie, and a nationally recognized continuum of high-quality care.
To schedule your tour of our vibrant senior living community in San Antonio and discover what can be, click here or call 866-553-5389.
