2016
Seniors resource guide
McKinley Bland
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The Seniors Resource Guide is designed to provide news, information, and resources for seniors across Southeast Texas. It is a companion to our online magazine SETXSeniors.com which publishes over 400 local articles each year for Golden Triangle seniors. The printed magazine features large fonts and an easy, comfortable “digest” size. Each edition features our signature series “Last of the Greatest” featuring interviews with Southeast Texas World War II Veterans. This edition’s hero is Charles Henson. He has the distinction of serving in three branches of service during World War II: The Merchant Marine, The Army, and The Coast Guard. In addition, he served as a home town hero with the Beaumont Police Department Motorcycle Unit. If you’d like to reach Golden Triangle seniors 55+, we’d love to have you as an advertiser.
TWO GREAT EVENTS! Thursday June 16 9a - 2p
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The Last of the Greatest 0F.LQOH\ %ODQG &KLHI 3HWW\ 2ŕľśFHU 86 1DY\ McKinley Bland served in the Navy during World War II and beyond in a unique role that put him in a position to witness key historical moments and figures.
one boat, living and working together for months at a time?
When McKinley was 19, he enlisted in the US Navy and was sent to Hawaii to serve on the Heavy Cruiser Salt Lake City. The impressive warship, called by some “The One Ship Fleet�, is widely regarded to have taken part in more battles than any other ship during WWII. McKinley was aboard for all of them.
quickly that perks came to the mess stewards who took the best care of the officers. Bland would make the rounds with extra sandwiches and coffee throughout the day. He memorized officers’ favorite meals and made sure the cooks got everything just the way the officers liked them. He saved back the best cuts of steak for the officers he wanted to impress. He took extra care making the beds for officers. The work and attention to detail was noticed and would pay off multiple times during Bland’s Naval career.
Bland quickly fell in love with gambling, playing dice and cards with other sailors. McKinley would steal dice and McKinley was raised in Norfolk cards from the officers’ wardby his mother. He had a brother room and sell them to other and sister. Their mom washed sailors. and ironed clothes for others to Not all of the mess stewards support her own family. were American. A number of His siblings married young, his them were from Guam, the sister at fifteen and his brother Philippines, and Malaysia. at nineteen. McKinley Bland figured out
He began his career as a mess steward. He would bake, cook meals, and serve the officers. As a mess steward, he was able to meet most of the 1300 service men on the crew. Can you imagine 1300 people on Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide�
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The USS Salt Lake City was headed from Wake Island to Pearl Harbor for war games when they heard of the attack. They had actually been assigned to play the role of a Japanese ship attacking Pearl Harbor. Instead, they found themselves fighting a real war against the Japanese.
officers a place to sit down and eat. Early in the war, blacks did not work the guns. They carried the ammunition. McKinley Bland and others pushed to be allowed to man a gun. Bland and seven other black men were rewarded with an assignment to crew one of the five inch guns. When an attack came, a US Marine was assigned to lock the gunners inside the gun until the battle was over.
For the first time, Bland saw the Captain strap on a side arm. The Salt Lake City soon found itself in one of its first engagements, trading fire with two Japanese submarines. Bland saw a submarine fire torpedoes that went right under his ship and headed for the Battleship North Carolina. The torpedoes just missed the North Carolina. Both ships were very lucky that day.
Would you like to know more about McKinley Bland’s fellow sailors and their role in WWII? Read the Saturday Evening Post Article “My Speed Zero” or the book “Torpedo Junction” by Robert Casey. Casey was a reporter for the Chicago McKinley Bland saw some Tribune who was assigned to changes come to the US Navy the USS Salt Lake City during for the first time during his WWII. tenure on the Salt Lake City. Typically, mess stewards were Traditionally mess stewards passed over promotion. One stood up and ate all of their of the officers went to bat for meals. Commander Brewer McKinley Bland, refusing to was the first officer to lead a sign the promotion list unless successful campaign to get Bland was promoted to Chief Third Class. This was the third case in a short time of McKinley being a witness (and beneficiary) of someone taking a stand against the way things To Advertise Call (512) 567-8068 Today!
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their normal fuel reserves. There would be no fighter escort – fighter places simply could not carry enough fuel. The bombers were too big to land back on the carriers, so they had to land in China and Russia – all would crash land, out of fuel. The attack signified to the Japanese that The Americans Are Coming. To Americans, the attack symbolized that Japan was finally vulnerable to US attack.
had “always been done” in the Navy regarding race. It was a big promotion for Bland, bringing an elevation in pay to $250 per month and a new uniform. McKinley was distilling fresh water from salt water when he received the news. He remembers writing his mother to tell her while officers played the song “Acey Deucey” over the ship’s radio and the crew engaged in widespread celebratory craps and card games all around him.
For a while after the Doolittle Raid, life normalized for Bland. He was assigned to another ship and the to the US Naval base in Norfolk where he was assigned to the senior officer’s mess by request of some officers who were familiar with his work and attention to detail.
Bland would soon be thrust into another of the great moments in US history. His ship was assigned to meet up with the Carrier Ranger and accompany the Doolittle Group on their historic attack run on Tokyo – the first time the war was taken to the Japanese mainland. If you are interested in WWII, this was truly one of the great symbolic moments. The plan was daring almost to the point of being suicidal. The run was very long. After sinking one Japanese ship, the destroyers had to turn back to avoid running out of fuel and being stranded in Japanese controlled waters. The Salt Lake City, The Carrier Ranger, and the bombers continued their mission. The bombers had been modified to carry twice Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”
He eventually requested a transfer to Orange TX where he worked on a submarine tender and got married. He looked at retirement, but he was requested by senior officers to join VR1, the Naval Transport Service. He would oversee the mess staff on planes that flew US Navy Admirals and VIPs. He flew to Paris, London, Frankfort, and Italy, and other global destinations. His role was to order and oversee meals and com6
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fort of senior staff. He would coordinate resupply in cities across the world.
of England, The Pope, and The President of the United States? After he retired, Bland joined the US Post Office where he put in another twenty years earning a second federal retirement. McKinley Bland is a 33rd degree Mason and served as President of his Masonic Order.
He flew with a US Admiral to Pearl Harbor in preparation for dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan. He found out he made Chief Petty Officer when reading The Navy Times. At one point, he travelled with President Eisenhower on a trip to France for four days.
He is currently living in Port Arthur. We are proud to have had the opportunity to interview McKinley Bland as part of our “Last of the Greatest” series documenting the stories of Southeast Texas World War II veterans.
In London, he was there for the inauguration of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. He flew to the Vatican for the coronation of Pope John Paul II.
Do you know a WWII veteran we should interview? Call (512) 567-8068 or e-mail SETXSeniors@gmail.com.
Who could have guessed that a humble beginning as a mess steward would bring McKinley Bland into the company of Admirals, The Queen
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s s i M t ’ n o D HQW (Y The Southeast Texas Senior Expo is coming to Lumberton. We look forward to seeing you for a full day of activities, fun, and educational opportunities. Highlights will include live music, comedy, and a full slate of short seminars covering a wide range of topics for senior citizens.
Southeast Texas Senior Expo – Lumberton Thursday, June 16th 9a – 2p )5(( (YHQW There will be valuable door prizes given out throughout the event and during each of the seminars – like $50 gift certificates to Salt Grass Steakhouse, Walmart, and Academy. This will be a fun event for groups and individual seniors. There will be ample parking for church buses and other senior group vans. A number of local senior providers have teamed up to make this year’s event special. Title Sponsor: Texan Plus Texan Plus will be providing two of the educational seminars during the event. As you can imagine, Southeast Texas seniors have a lot of questions about Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. What is a Medicare Advantage Plan? How are they different from traditional Medicare? Texan Plus will have experts on hand to guide attendees of their two educational seminars through all of these questions. Did you know that veterans can receive BOTH a Medicare Advantage Plan AND their VA medical benefits? It is true. This often helps SETX veterans receive the best of both worlds – high quality health care, often provided right here at home. Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”
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Host Sponsors: Lumberton Family Funeral Home and SETXSeniors.com. Lumberton Family Funeral Home has brought the “family” feel back to the Golden Triangle funeral home community. The community is run like a family. A number of the staff members are also local youth ministers. After a long week’s work, they can often be found playing gospel tunes together before heading home. Their reception meals and snacks are typically all homemade from scratch. One of their missions is to help Southeast Texans get away from funeral planning being something that happens after death when families are already struggling with grief. They work hard to help families prearrange funeral services. This helps a family stay in budget, makes sure the funeral is funded well in advance of need, and ensures that the final arrangements are exactly what each of us would want down to choosing the music and scriptures. Do you want a butterfly release? Would you like your famous chicken and dumplings to be served at the reception? Whatever you want, Lumberton Family Funeral Home can help you plan your end of life celebration. SETXSeniors.com & the SETX Senior Resource Guide are the leading resource for senior news across Southeast Texas. They work hard to provide information about entertainment and activities for seniors as well as a detailed look at Golden Triangle senior service providers. One of their most popular features is their “Last of the Greatest” series featuring Southeast Texas WWII veterans. The staff has been hard at work coordinating the SETX Senior Expo – Lumberton. Platinum Sponsors: Gentiva Hospice and New Century Hospice Gentiva Hospice and New Century Hospice are both dedicated to educating Southeast Texas about the mission of hospice and how it can assist our family members in preparing for their final days on their own terms. Gentiva Hospice and New Century Hospice will each host two educational sessions at the expo. Each session will provide an introduction to the mission of hospice care, examples of services offered, and insight into how their dedicated staff members compassionately work in our community. Do you have questions about hospice care? This will be a great opportunity to get answers. Gold Sponsors: Quality Care Services and Professional Health Care’s Home Health Service. Home Health is one of the leading services that can prolong the length of time Southeast Texas seniors are able to stay in our own houses. Many seniors are unaware of how many of their medical services can be provided in the comfort of their own homes. Did you know through home health you can receive physical therapy, IV antibiotics, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and help managing your diabetes? Quality Care Services and Professional Health Care’s Home Health Service will each host an informational seminar to provide more information about the benefits of home health care. Are you spending too much time driving back and forth to the doctor’s office? Then don’t miss this educational opportunity.
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Booth Sponsors Best Year’s Center. This facility is everything a senior center should be. The dedicated staff facilitate dance classes, pool tournaments, pottery making, and senior citizen trips. Reese Law Firm. Beaumont attorney Cody Reese enjoys the practice of senior law. He can assist you with grandparent’s rights, nursing home abuse cases, making a will, setting up a durable power of attorney or medical power of attorney, property transactions, advanced directives, and fights hard to ensure seniors injured in car wrecks are fairly compensated and given the resources to heal and return to their normal lives. Co-Pilot. This company has reinvented the auto service plan. Members receive gas discounts at popular chains, free oil changes, car repairs, even free hotel rooms if your car breaks down on vacation. Fuller Options. Many of our aging pains and frustrations can be improved with better nutrition. Stephanie Fuller has had great success with assisting local seniors with digestive issues, arthritis, weight loss, and other issues. Village Creek Nursing and Rehab. Are you looking for a nurturing environment in Lumberton to recover after an operation or illness? Do you need a long term senior living facility with nursing care available? Whether you need a short term or long term option, Village Creek Nursing and Rehab will make you feel at home. Arola Chiropractic. Chiropractic offers tremendous health benefits. However, as we get older the traditional “whacking and cracking” method can be dangerous. Dr. Arola offers a computer assisted system that offers safe effective treatment. Dr. Arola also offers acupuncture which can be valuable in treating chronic pain and even Southeast Texas allergies. At Home Senior Care. Home Care is different from home health. Home care is non-medical assistance for seniors. At Home Senior Care offers assistance with grocery shopping, meal planning, house cleaning, and companionship. Exygon. Are you looking to get fit? With locations in Beaumont and Mid County, Exygon has an excellent track record of assisting seniors with increased endurance, flexibility, weight loss, and energy. Trinity Audiology. Does your family ask you why you have the TV and radio so loud? Trinity Audiology can help. They can find out what is causing your hearing loss and help you with a solution. They offer the latest technology including rechargeable hearing aids and water proof hearing aids for swimmers and those who love the outdoors. Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”
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Cathy Ferguson, Remax Realtor. Are you looking to upgrade into your dream home or downsize into a garden home or condo that is easier to maintain? Would you like to find a home near your grandchildren? Cathy Ferguson can help. Emily Lopez. Mary Kay Pink Cadillac Director. Emily and her team work with three generations of Southeast Texas ladies to keep them looking their best. Would you like to rejuvenate your skin, find the perfect shade of eye shadow, or a makeup line for women with sensitive skin? Emily would love to assist you. Madison Bell. Chloe and Isabel Jewelry. Madison grew up in the jewelry industry in the Jasper area and assists women across the Golden Triangle with finding high quality, affordable, jewelry to suit any taste or occasion. Madison also assists ladies in hosting “jewelry parties” benefitting local charities. Advocates for the Independent offers a full range of home care services including assistance with bathing and dressing, running errands, medication reminders, and quality time. Acadian Ambulance prides itself on offering the highest level of care and compassion whether you need routine medical transport or are involved in an emergency situation. CapTel offers an extremely valuable home phone service for those with hearing loss. You can actually read the other person’s side of the conversation in real time while you talk. The service is a blessing, keeping the lines of communication open with friends and family. Additional sponsors will be highlighted in our next issue and online SETXSeniorExpo.com. We’ll see you June 16th for the SETX Senior Expo – Lumberton.
Lumberton Thursday, June 16th 9a – 2p
)5(( (9(17 To Advertise Call (512) 567-8068 Today!
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Lumberton ISD Dome Stay tuned to SETXSeniors.com for information. Vendors, Break Out Sessions and Prizes! You won’t want to miss this fun & informational day!
Interested in being a vendor? Daryl Fant, Publisher (512) 567-8068 Publisher@SETXSeniors.com Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”
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Medical Plus Beaumont Medical Supply Delivery Across Southeast Texas Lift Chairs Medical Oxygen Wheel Chairs Medical Beds Diabetic Supplies Shower Safety Call for special items
Can’t Come to Us? We’ll Come to You! 650 Magnolia St Beaumont, TX 77701 (409) 838-6700
Turning 65 or know someone who is?
Confused by all of the information you’ve been receiving? i i ? For someone new to Medicare, your options can be daunting. Where do you start? How do you decide on the best option for your individual healthcare needs? At this informative, no cost, no obligation meeting you will learn about the four parts of Medicare. Call today to reserve your seat! Seating is Limited. Beaumont Office (409) 981-7300, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone (TTY users call 711) 7 days a week. For accommodation of persons with special needs call Beaumont Office (409) 981-7300, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone (TTY users call 711) 7 days a week. TexanPlus® HMO is a Health plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in TexanPlus® HMO depends on contract renewal. Your call may be answered by a licensed agent. You may enroll in the plan only during specific times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Election Period (SEP) or Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP). Y0067_LM_InformationFlyer_0315 CMS Accepted 03/24/2015 To Advertise Call (512) 567-8068 Today!
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2016
Seniors resource guide www.SETXSeniors.com