AE Vol.3 Issue 7- Preview

American Essence

FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES THIS COUNTRY

Chef, Yes, Chef!

A President’s Memoirs

The grit that carried Ulysses S. Grant through the Civil War helped him in his final battle with cancer

The radio show host, whose beloved voice is heard by millions every night, on the power of positivity— no matter the odds

Veterans’ advocate and former White House chef Andre Rush is committed to serving his country— whether on the front lines or behind the grill

Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Sunset at Mono Lake in California.

Features

14 | Family Roots

Reader Karen Brazas recalls how her mother-in-law became her guiding light.

18 | Why I Love America

Freedom requires strength and boldness, writes reader Leah Vidal.

20 | Finding Healing in the Ocean

Marine veteran Rudy Reyes nearly lost his way, until he discovered a unique approach to help veterans readjust to civilian life.

28 | Soul Soother

Get to know the woman behind radio’s most beloved voice, Delilah.

34 | Life-Changing Inventions

Rory Cooper is one of the world’s leading experts on technology that makes everyday life better for both disabled veterans and civilians.

38| Gettysburg in Photos

Every year, re-enactors come together to commemorate the famous Civil War battle.

48 | Homes for Wounded Warriors

After 12 seasons in the NFL, Jared Allen turned his attention to helping veterans with sustained injuries.

History

50 | Penning a Legacy

Would national hero and former President Ulysses Grant have enough time to finish his life’s story before cancer wrote his epilogue?

54 | The Man Who Warned Paul Revere

By spying on the British, Joseph Warren played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.

58 | Courtesy of Our Military

From cheese powder to GPS, U.S. military innovations are inseparable from how we live today.

60 | Remembering an American Hero

1st Lt. Audie Murphy was America’s most decorated World War II hero.

64 | Ben Franklin’s Daily Planner

Let the Founding Father’s affirmations for seizing the day inspire you.

Lifestyle

68 | Notes From a Southern Gentleman

A peek inside the vivid world of interior designer, gardener, and author James T. Farmer.

76 | Rethinking Anxiety

How to use your anxiety to your advantage, according to Dr. Chloe Carmichael.

78 | The Army’s Strongest Chef Andre Rush, 23-year Army veteran and former White House chef, on the transformative power of food.

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In our fast-paced lives, stress has become the norm, taking its toll on even the strongest of us. Here are six rejuvenating retreats for a much-needed reset.

6 Best

Luxury Wellness Resorts

WRITTEN BY Sandy Lindsey

▲ RED ROCKS SPLENDOR

Nestled amongst Sedona, Arizona’s soaring red rocks, with just 16 secluded indoor/outdoor casitas, Mii Amo Spa offers treatments ranging from traditional skin care, massage, body work, and meditation, to sessions designed to deal with deeper problems, some utilizing hypnosis. The new Hummingbird restaurant and its innovative, wellness-oriented culinary program completes the experience. MiiAmo.com

LOVE LETTER TO PROVENCE

Surrounded by vineyards and lavender fields, the Provenceinspired Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Vista, California is filled with historical pieces, including a genuine chapel and orangery transported from France. Lavish European spa treatments that beautify and destress are balanced by an active regimen of fitness, health, and nutrition. A 5:1 staff-to-guest ratio serves the 32 private villas and suites, with an antiques-filled gift shop that allows you to bring the ambiance home. Cal-a-Vie.com

TIMELESS METHODS  ►

Meaning “peaceful mountain,” Amangiri is known for its Navajo-inspired Hozho healing massages, beauty treatments, and restorative therapies. Sandstone suites and canvas-tented pools offer views of southern Utah’s breathtaking desert landscape of canyons, mesas, and ridges. The meals are a tour through Navajo culinary heritage and the American Southwest.

Aman.com/resorts/amangiri

◀ NURTURED BY NATURE

The Lodge at Woodloch, set in Pennsylvania’s lush Pocono woodlands, blends tranquility and activity, with nature trails and a private lake for kayaking and fishing. The resort offers more than 35 classes daily, including guided forest bathing sessions, foraging with a certified herbalist, and gardening lessons at an on-site working organic farm—which also supplies fresh food and healing herbs and flowers for spa treatments.

TheLodgeAtWoodloch.com

BOOTCAMP GOES LUXE

Not for the fainthearted, a typical day at The Ranch at Malibu starts with a mountain hike, followed by a lowimpact workout, strength training, yoga, and a massage for your aching muscles, all complemented by a structured organic, plant-based diet. The celebrity hot spot touts an average weight loss of 3 to 6 percent of body weight, while gaining muscle. Private programs are available.

TheRanchMalibu.com

◀ HISTORIC DESERT OASIS

Arizona’s first wellness retreat, Castle Hot Springs, was built in 1896. It’s set in the Hieroglyphic Mountains around mineralrich thermal waters long-used medicinally by indigenous people, and it has hosted luminaries such as Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. The property went into decline after a 1976 fire, but a recent renovation restored its former glory, which is highlighted by fine dining and diversions ranging from golf to mountain climbing.

CastleHotSprings.com

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Conversations

Delilah, the most-listened-to woman in radio, on the power of listening and positive thinking

WRITTEN BY Annie Wu

Delilah’s warmth emanates from her voice—a voice that is familiar with over 8 million radio listeners who tune in to her popular evening show weekly, making it one of the country’s most-listened-to programs. For several hours each night, Delilah listens as people turn to her about their love problems, requesting a song to reminisce about a long-lost lover or to console their broken hearts. Many share their tales of triumph and loss, and Delilah listens carefully, offering a dose of positivity and encouragement. She has been on air from the Seattle, Washington, area since her show started in October 1984.

In a world of chaos and uncertainty, Delilah’s words are like a salve, reminding us that there is still hope. It is remarkable that in spite of her personal tragedies—having lost two sons and her stepson in the span of several years—she still exudes an unbridled verve for life. Her 15 children, many of whom she adopted or fostered, are her reasons for living, she said. She never worried about how to take on the responsibilities of being a mother, only assured that she’ll take things one step at a time. “I was not born with the fear factor—it’s just not in my DNA.” She encourages everyone to embrace the same attitude in life. “When you realize that there’s very little we can control, then you can realize, why am I worrying about it? Why am I not just enjoying the minutes? Most fear is your imagination picturing the worst possible scenario, right? Why not use your imagination to picture the best possible scenario?”

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Delilah has been on the air since 1984.

From the Heart

American Essence: Did you always know that you liked connecting with people?

Delilah: Oh yeah. My mom says I used to walk up to people in grocery stores and start talking to them and ask them if they had children. And could I play with them?

There are very few people that I dislike. When I do, that’s on me. Because what I’m looking at is their behavior instead of their heart. What I’m doing is, I’m judging their behaviors instead of looking at their heart and looking at why they have those behaviors.

If we would all do that, there would not be the problems that exist in the world now. There would not be the divisiveness and the division that exists now, because 99 percent of the divisiveness exists because it’s an “us against them” mentality. It’s “I’m better than them. I’m smarter than you. My political party or my political affiliation is better than yours. My religious beliefs are better than yours.” Or even worse than [that] is, “I’m afraid of you. I’m fearful of you.” And if we could just realize that we’re all eternal beings having a human experience, and get past that “us against them” mentality—I try to make it happen.

AE: Do you feel the hardships you’ve been through have helped you provide listeners with perspective?

Delilah: I don’t know that it gives people perspective, but it certainly taught me to shut my mouth more and listen more. Because I thought I knew what grief was. I thought I knew what hardship was. I don’t have a clue. And going through the stuff that I’ve gone through has made me realize that when people are really hurting, when their life has just been completely shattered, they don’t need my advice. They don’t need my pearls of wisdom. They don’t need me quoting Scripture. They don’t need me telling them things are going to get better. They need me to listen, and to honor them, and to hold space for them. That was the best change in my soul, going through the grief that I’ve gone through.

AE: Many listeners turn to you with their worries. What are your tips on giving good advice?

Delilah: Most of the time when we’re chatting with our friends, they don’t want advice. They want somebody to listen. And honestly, when

people call me looking for advice, most of the time, I would say 90 percent of the time, they already have their answers. They just need validation, and a push in the right direction.

A gal called me last night. The scenario was, she’s been involved with a guy for a couple of years. She’s asked him if there’s a future. He said, “No, I just want to have fun. Stop asking me about that. I don’t see us settling down anytime soon.” And she’s like, “So what do I do?” And I said, “You already know what to do. Why are you asking me this? You know exactly what you have to do.” And she’s like, “Yeah, but I love him.” I said, “So what you’re asking is, is there a way to manipulate him? And change him into the kind of committed man you want and need?” No, there’s not. But you already know what you have to do. You want a longterm forever committed partner. He wants

8.3 million listeners tune in each week, on average

151 radio stations air Delilah’s program

Florida, Texas, and New York are the three states where Delilah gets the most calls from

Most requested songs

“What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong

“Unchained Melody,” The Righteous Brothers

“Wind Beneath My Wings,” Bette Midler

“I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston

Delilah lives on a 55acre farm with her adopted children and many animals.

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A Brilliant Mind

Millions of people around the world have benefited from the inventions of biomedical engineer Rory Cooper and his innovations in assistive technology

WRITTEN BY Neil Cotiaux

It all began in an automotive repair shop in the hilly Northern California town of San Luis Obispo.

Born into a family of tinkerers and mechanics, Rory Cooper had always been a curious young man and frequently looked over his parents’ shoulders as they addressed

a myriad of mechanical problems at their automotive repair shop. “I didn’t really want to be a mechanic,” Cooper recalled. “What drove me was an interest in becoming an engineer: to understand how things work and design new things, rather than fix other people’s things.”

But many members of the Cooper family had also served in the military, including his father. So young Rory joined the Army as a volunteer in 1976. Four years later, tragedy struck in Germany when a vehicle hit Cooper while he rode his bicycle. The accident damaged the 20-year-old’s spinal cord, and Cooper was paralyzed from the waist down.

Back home, he underwent intensive therapy. Along with his wife, Rosemarie, Rory’s wheelchair became the center of his life. Via the GI Bill, he was admitted to California Polytechnic State University, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. But San Luis Obispo was a hilly town, and Cooper said he had to do everything in his power to make it through each day. “When I got out of the hospital I weighed 80 pounds. I worked myself up to 130 pounds. I was about 160 pounds before I got injured. So an 80-pound [manual] wheelchair was a lot of weight to carry up those hills … and I just thought, ‘This can’t be right.’”

Frustrated, Cooper went to the family shop to design a lightweight wheelchair for himself. Thus began his crusade to make life better for any veteran or civilian who was, or would be, wheelchair-bound. He then went on to attain a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Equipped with specialized knowledge and a plethora of passion, Cooper gained a deeper realization of the magnitude of the issues faced by those in wheelchairs. He was determined to make things right, and on a massive scale.

An Outpouring of Ideas

“As I got advanced in my education, I learned that people were developing sores on their hands, including myself, and then wrist injuries and shoulder injuries that were making their lives more difficult,” Cooper said. He set out to reduce those repetitive injuries. The result was the invention of an ergonomic push rim requiring less forceful gripping with improved propulsion. Users reported less hand and wrist pain and fewer wrist and shoulder injuries.

In 1994, as Cooper’s work on repetitive stress was in its final stages, he co-founded Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), a biomedical engineering partnership of the U.S. Department of Veterans

RIGHT In 1978, Cooper was promoted to the rank of Army specialist.

BELOW Cooper and his wife, Rosemarie, in Germany, 1978.

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Volunteers don Civil War-era uniforms to re-enact the Battle of Gettysburg, which occurred from July 1–3, 1863.

Remembering

Gettysburg

In this small Pennsylvania town, Civil War history comes alive during the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

WRITTEN

BY Annie Wu PHOTOGRAPHED BY Samira Bouaou

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The Literary Campaign of Ulysses S. Grant

WRITTEN BY Dean George

The summer of 1885 was a scorcher, but that wasn’t the hot topic in America that year. On June 16, a national hero battling terminal cancer retreated to a small cottage in the cooler mountains of upstate New York in a valiant effort to finish his long awaited memoirs.

The famous Civil War general had spurned offers to write his memoirs for years, but circumstances had changed. In 1884, the same year his cancer was diagnosed, a Wall Street investment fund co-owned by his son Buck went bankrupt. Managing partner Ferdinand Ward was exposed for running a Ponzi scheme costing investors millions, which ruined the family finances of Ulysses S. Grant.

Confronted with the shame of bankruptcy and facing a slow and painful death, the dreaded thought of leaving his family penniless

finally convinced him to write his life’s story.

New York newspapers reported daily on the exalted ex-president’s personal health battle as an anxious nation stood transfixed. The big question in mid-summer 1885 was, would the national hero known as “Unconditional Surrender” have enough time to finish his life’s story before cancer wrote his epilogue?

A Sudden Diagnosis

In June 1884, the popular ex-president cried out in pain when he bit into a peach. Thinking he’d been stung, he rinsed his mouth with water but told his wife Julia that the “water hurt him like liquid fire,” Grant biographer Ronald C. White wrote in “American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant.”

Grant’s personal physician, Dr. Fordyce Barker, was on his annual European trip until October, so Grant did his best to ignore his throat irritation for the next four months. Upon his return, Barker referred his famous patient to throat specialist Dr. John H. Douglas. Douglas knew Grant from when they were setting up field hospitals during the Civil War.

Douglas quickly diagnosed the disease and confirmed his suspicion after consulting with two other doctors. A tissue sample confirmed that the problem was cancer, but not cancer of the throat—it was carcinoma of the right tonsillar pillar. This was before radiotherapy, tracheotomy, or other medical

With time weighing on the former president, Grant’s last battle was to finish his life’s story before succumbing to cancer

FAR LEFT Portrait of our 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877), by Thomas Le Clear, circa 1880.

LEFT A first edition copy of Grant’s personal memoirs from 1885.

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The Daily Routine of

enjamin Franklin

The Founding Father took his endeavors for self-improvement seriously. Take inspiration from his schedule

WRITTEN BY Andrew Benson Brown

Benjamin Franklin’s many achievements as a statesman and scientist grew from his belief in the power of self-improvement. At the age of 20, he began an arduous project of “arriving at moral perfection,” as documented in his autobiography published posthumously in 1791. He was determined to practice 13 virtues that, rotated on a weekly basis, he believed would help him achieve success in life: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. The 13 virtues could fit into a calendar year neatly, allowing Franklin to cycle through the list four times a year.

As part of his goal of becoming more orderly, he developed a rigorous daily schedule. Franklin found that his “scheme of order” was the most challenging virtue to practice. Being in the printing business required him to have a flexible schedule and “receive people of business at their own hours.” He compared himself to a man who buys an ax and asks the smith to smooth it for him—but, being too busy, concludes, “I think I like a speckled ax best.”

Although he never arrived at the moral perfection he sought, he said that he was nevertheless “a better and happier man” for attempting it. Franklin exhibited punctuality and diligence despite not living up to his own standards. He remains perhaps the most famous historical representative of the American middle-class work ethic.

• 5:00 a.m.

Rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness! Contrive day’s business, and take the resolution of the day: Prosecute the present study, and breakfast.

Addressing “Powerful Goodness” refers to Franklin’s habit of spending time in contemplation and prayer to focus his mind. While he doesn’t mention it in his autobiography, in other writings, he has noted that he often started his day with exercise: taking a walk or going for a swim.

After breakfast, Franklin would make a to-do list. This would largely consist of matters regarding his printing and publishing business.

• 8:00 a.m. Work.

Ben Franklin’s work hours were occupied with printing and publishing books, newspapers, and pamphlets. He set up a printing business with a partner in 1728 and bought the Pennsylvania Gazette with him in 1729.

• 12:00 p.m.

Read, or overlook my accounts, and dine.

Franklin began experimenting with vegetarianism a few years before starting his moral perfection project. Though he eventually found it difficult to maintain and returned to eating meat, he would continue to experiment with vegetarianism off and on throughout his life. Some menu items he noted in his autobiography that were associated with a vegetarian meal plan include: boiled potatoes or rice, porridge, a handful of raisins or a pastry tart, and a biscuit or a slice of bread.

• 2:00 p.m. Work.

• 6:00 p.m.

Put things in their places. Supper. Music or diversion, or conversation. Examination of the day.

“Putting things in their places” referred to his habit of reviewing what he had accomplished during the day, considering shortcomings, and making plans for the next day.

Franklin played a few instruments, including harp, guitar, and violin. He also liked singing with friends.

In late 1727, he formed a social organization called “The Junto,” which was devoted to community projects and intellectual inquiry. Although his daily schedule did not mention these meetings specifically, it is known that he met with his “Junto” members on Friday evenings to talk business and debate philosophical topics.

• 10:00 p.m. Sleep.

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Southern

Style

The living room at Joe Pye Cottage, Farmer’s second home in Cashiers, N.C.

The dining room at Joe Pye displays Farmer’s love for seasonal florals and timeless plaid.

WRITTEN BY Brett Chudá

Timeless, colorful, and alive: such is a room designed by James T. Farmer III, interior designer, gardener, and all-around Southern gentleman. Farmer embraces the warmth of spirit and classically beautiful, seasonal lifestyle of the South, from generations of his close-knit family and his hometown of Perry, Georgia, and he brings it into his clients’ homes across the country.

Farmer is the author of 10 books on interior design, gardening, entertaining, cooking, and, in general, how to beautify everyday life every day of the year. His titles include “A Time to Plant,” “Sip and Savor,” “Porch Living,” “Wreaths for All Seasons,” “A Time to Cook,” “Dinner on the Grounds,” “A Time to Celebrate,” “A Place to Call Home,” and “Arriving Home.” His latest book, “Celebrating Home,” delves deep into his warm and sincere philosophy on staging seasonally inspired celebrations at home, to recognize life’s precious moments—both small and grand.

American Essence: You’ve written a lot about classic, traditional style. What are some Southern design elements you find yourself coming back to again and again?

James Farmer: Mixing heirloom pieces and contemporary style is how I strive to keep designs both classic and fresh. In the South, we are proud of what came before us, so mixing what’s “mine, Mama’s, and Mimi’s” is a great way to accomplish that. I love mixing silver with contemporary art and brown furniture with freshly upholstered items. In my designs, I tend to use a classic mix of patterns with a floral, trellis, and animal print. You can’t go wrong with elements of nature.

James T. Farmer, Southern born-and-bred author and interior designer, shares the timeless values that thread through his work—and his advice for effortless summer soirées

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Andre Rush: A Life of Service

The Army veteran has cooked for presidents and the Pentagon. Now, he’s using the power of food to heal fellow veterans and inspire the next generation

Standing at 5 feet, 10 inches and some 270 pounds with his famous 24-inch biceps, chef Andre Rush is used to drawing looks. But these days, they’re usually from excited 10-year-olds wanting a hug and photo with their “superhero,” he says.

Rush, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, was a White House chef through four administrations, cooking during the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump years. He now hosts the Gordon Ramsay-produced show “Kitchen Commando” to kick struggling Washington, D.C., restaurants back into gear.

Armed with heart and hospitality, Rush uses cooking to create community and raise awareness about mental health, especially for fellow veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), preaching love and service everywhere he goes. He’s proud that his message reaches young people—because the future generations need it, Rush says.

“There may be one little nugget in there who’s going to be Chef Rush times a thousand, and he or she is going to … find someone else to keep pushing it along,” Rush said.

An Unexpected Path

Cooking was never meant to be a career, said Rush. Growing up poor in Mississippi, cooking was caring and love in action.

One of Rush’s brothers was a Marine, the

other was a Navy officer, one of his sisters was an educator who helped the blind, and his mother “cooked for everyone in Mississippi,” feeding all who needed it. Their father led the siblings—five girls and three boys including Rush—to pick food on local farms by hand, to embed fortitude and hard work in their characters. It taught him always to be the hardest worker in the room. It impressed upon him the value of service.

So Rush, who said he had earned an art scholarship, a track scholarship, a football scholarship, and Olympics prospects, decided to join the military himself. He soon joined the food service team only to learn it was nothing like what he thought cooking was about. “It’s mass feeding,” Rush explained. “Feed and go.”

But less than a year into his military career, Rush said a Sergeant Major came up to him out of the blue, told him about a culinary competition, and asked him to train for it.

“I didn’t even know what ‘culinary’ meant,” Rush said. He went down to train at the United States Army Culinary Arts Team annual competition in Fort Lee, Virginia, and saw that the hobby he grew up with, cooking alongside his mom, was a serious culture in and of itself. Sugar pulling, ice carving, pastry creation—it ignited the artistic side of Rush. “I just became infatuated with cooking,” he said. In the pre-internet era, he bought books

WRITTEN BY Catherine Yang PHOTOGRAPHED BY John Fredricks

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Angry Chicken

SERVES 4 Chef Andre Rush’s favorite thing to cook for himself is chicken, he says, because “I can literally do it 101 ways.” Here’s one of them: spatchcocked, or butterflied, and grilled. The method calls for flattening the whole bird, which cuts the cooking time in half, helps the white and dark meat cook evenly, and ensures every inch of the skin becomes golden brown and crispy.

• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)

• Olive oil

• Thyme

• Minced garlic

• Salt and peppe

Preheat the grill with zones for direct heat and indirect heat.

Place the whole chicken on a cutting board with the breast-side down. Locate the backbone along the center of the chicken. Starting at the tail, use a sharp pair of kitchen shears to cut alongside the spine. Try to cut as close as you can to the backbone so you don’t risk cutting any other joints. You may feel a little resistance as you cut through certain rib bones of the bird; in this case, press down on the shears with both hands.

Rotate the chicken 180° so the uncut side is closer to your dominant hand. Cut along the bone again and remove the backbone from the chicken.

Flip the bird over so that the breast side is facing up. With two hands (and a little bit of hulk-strength), press down firmly on the center of the bird until you hear a crack. This is the wishbone breaking. Voila! Your bird is successfully spatchcocked.

Rub the chicken with olive oil. Season with thyme, garlic, and pepper (salt optional) to taste.

Place the chicken skin-side down over direct heat. Cover and let cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Take a peek. The bird should look nicely charred. However, keep a careful eye on the grill; any fat that drips from the bird can cause the fire to flare up.

Next, turn the chicken over (skin-side up) and move it over to indirect heat. Cover and grill for about 30 minutes longer.

Use a thermometer to check if the chicken is ready. The thigh should read between 170 and 175°F. Using a pair of long-handled tongs, carefully remove the bird from the grill. Be sure not to pierce the skin. Let the bird rest for at least 10 minutes before serving; the chicken needs to sit in order for the juices to lock into the meat. Don’t fret: Even after 10 minutes, it’ll still be plenty warm enough to serve! —Andre

Rush

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