Honor hometown heroes

If feels like a normal year in planning for the Fourth of July celebrations. Communities are not worried about dry conditions due to all the rainfall, so reworks are a go for several areas. Parades and community gatherings are all moving forward nicely.

I have to admit, growing up and in early adulthood, the Fourth of July has been one of my favorite holidays. We had huge family gatherings, heading to the smalltown parade, and going to the park for the annual re ghters’ water ght. And, just before the reworks, we had our annual football game. I will admit, I tore the meniscus disc in my knee one year blocking my dad so my nephew could score. Yes, my team got the touchdown.

I am also a bit sentimental about the American holiday. My kids give me a hard time each year as I make them listen to songs such as “God Bless the U.S.A.” and “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.” I believe they too should have respect and pride in their country.

I understand this country is far from perfect. e last few years of seeming insanity proves that point. However, we live in a country where that insanity is allowed to happen.

Finally, another reason I get sentimental about the Independence Day holiday is a tradition that started in Tucson. My company would often recognize what we called “Hometown Heroes” just before Independence Day.

I loved those special sections because we called to the community to not just tell us about the members of the military we would be thanking, but also those in the community who volunteer, work hard and do so many things to make a di erence in the lives of others. To those who work tirelessly to make the communities in which they live and the world better.

I haven’t quite got to the point of a special section, but over the last year as editor, I have been able to get out into our communities and meet great people, and through my reporters read about amazing organizations and groups who are indeed community heroes who often do the work without expecting recognition or a return. elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

Some of my favorite organizations are the local American Legions and VFWs — these groups are more than just veteran organizations. ey are people who work to give scholarships, provide support to struggling veterans and, in Littleton recently, repurpose veteran wreaths to become sh habitats.

Local historical societies — these members work to preserve and celebrate important moments in a community’s history. ey also protect and preserve important structures.

To the local food banks that have struggled over the last few years to keep the doors open and residents fed — every administrator and volunteer deserves a pat on the back.

To companies like Howdy’s Ice Cream, which opened in Centennial o Parker Road this year, giving adults with disabilities an opportunity to work. I will also recommend going and getting a summer treat there — the lemon crunch is superb. e people and organizations who work each year to help people move into and a ord homes. In Colorado, that alone is a tireless and likely thankless job these days.

In Highlands Ranch – It’s heartwarming to see the continued photos and responses as the community comes together to clear debris and help neighbors after a tornado touched down recently.

I should also give a shoutout to volunteers I see at the VA when I take my dad for care. ey are helpful, friendly and wonderful people. People, groups, churches and organizations do more in our local communities than we realize year after year. I hope to keep getting to know all of them and start recognizing them more often in our local newspapers because at the end of the day, honoring these heroes is part of what Independence Day is about.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA

Do not enter the comfort zone

She was very comfortable running 5K and 10K races, and usually placed well. She often thought about stretching herself to run a half marathon and then one day, a full marathon. As her dreams about training harder and running longer races took shape, she found herself returning to her comfortable training regime and settled once again for training to run in those 5K and 10K races. en one day, she decided to go for it. She made a commitment to break free from her comfort zone and train harder and run farther. She woke up earlier and each day that she ran, she pushed herself just a little bit farther until she could comfortably nish a half marathon. And after that, she left that comfort zone and began training even harder to compete in a full marathon, and last year successfully ran in the NYC Marathon.

When asked if she had plans on returning to her former routines of running in shorter races and giving up the long runs, her response was that she would never allow herself to enter the comfort zone ever again. In her mind she created an image of a “Do Not Enter” sign followed by “ e Comfort Zone.”

For many of us we have reached some type of pinnacle or achieved a sought-after goal only to nd ourselves slowly backsliding and reentering our former comfort zone. We reach a certain level of success and then allow ourselves to get comfortable there instead of wondering what we could do if we pressed ourselves a little harder, taking a new or di erent path, and maybe even taking a little risk. It’s like breaking free from one comfort zone only to enter another comfort zone.

If we are on a path of personal or professional growth, we might all do well to have that same mental image top of mind, “Do Not Enter e Comfort Zone.” Whether it’s a physical achievement we are seeking, a business breakthrough, quitting a

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