Power Up™ grants help preserve a Seguin retreat rooted in nature, history, healing, and remembrance. On land that has been part of Nancy Russell’s family for 55 years, this six-generation
Texan, along with her Navy veteran husband Craig Russell, has grown Lazy U Ranch into a place where the great outdoors and a heart for service come together. Located in Seguin along the Guadalupe River, the ranch is home to the SS American Memorial Foundation, a living memorial and retreat space dedicated to honoring military service, preserving American history, and offering a peaceful place of respite. Over the years, tens of thousands of visitors have come to the ranch, including soldiers from Brooke Army Medical Center, veterans, active-duty service members, chaplains, first responders, families, school children, and community groups. The Foundation offers its services and ranch facilities free of charge, creating a welcoming space where cost
does not stand in the way of education and connection.
Rest and Renewal
For the military members and families, the setting is a big part of where relaxation and healing begin. Surrounded by the river, trees, open space, and the company of others who understand the weight of service. Many military members and veterans who come to Lazy U Ranch are carrying wounds that may be physical, mental, or deeply personal. Some come for spiritual fitness days
or memorial services. Others come for organized events with kayaking, live music, sanctioned cookoffs, and fellowship. In each case, the ranch offers something simple but powerful: rest and renewal.
The Foundation also supports chaplaincy efforts and provides a setting where faith and nature can play a meaningful role in healing. Research continues to support what many visitors already feel from experience. Time outdoors can help reduce stress and support overall well-being. At Lazy U Ranch, that idea is lived out in the thoughtful use of the land, where quiet outdoor spaces remain central to the experience.
Grants That Support the Mission
GVEC members have helped support that mission through two Power Up grants. In 2022, SS American Memorial Foundation received $20,000 to replace the septic system and upgrade the restroom facilities. In 2025, the Foundation received another $20,000 for its Memorial Building Preservation Project. Together, the grants help strengthen a place that serves those who have served others.
The Memorial Building sits beside the family’s original homestead and carries deep ties to both family and military history. Nancy Russell’s father, World War II veteran James Ulbrich, began construction on the building in 1984, using construction techniques unique to the Seguin area dating back more than 200 years. Today, the building houses military memorabilia, paintings, tapestries, and a video compilation of service members’ photos and quotes. “It’s a powerful tribute to the sacrifice of our warriors,” Craig Russell said during a tour of the building.
Preserving a Place of Purpose
The Foundation’s long-term vision includes expanding its role as a mental health resource through approved therapy-focused uses. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and veteran suicide remain a serious concern for many who have served. Plans for the “Nature Therapy” ranch include an education center and chapel, walking trails, and a veteran columbarium, as one of the many features toward healing the mind, body, and soul. The ranch’s expansion project is a community effort working with major Texas universities toward reforestation and a one-of-a-kind
rainwater catchment system. Each contribution helps preserve Lazy U Ranch as a place where education, conservation, remembrance, and care can continue.
Through Power Up, GVEC members’ rounded-up change helps local organizations make a lasting impact—one grant, one project, and one place of service at a time.
To learn more about Lazy U Ranch and the SS American Memorial Foundation, visit ssmemorial.org.
