Sharon Perkins, Graphic Designer Maisie Petchey, Social Media Specialist
DIRECTOR OF NON-PROFIT RELATIONS Vanessa Martin Vanessa@FireWatchmagazine.com | 813-522-5290
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Douglas, Laurel Copper,Toni Hedstrom, Kristy Verdi, Nick Padlo, Kat Mahoney, Josh Porthouse, Chris “Ranger” Gay, Kurt Waterstradt, Stephen J. Castillo, Ken Smits, E.J. Christy, Sara Bachelder
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
September 20, 2024
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. As of September 2023, nearly 81,000 American service members remain missing after having served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts involving the U.S.
Source: DOD News, by C. Todd Lopez. Full Story https://tinyurl.com/3cjmky89
PATRIOT DAY
September 11, 2024
Patriot Day is a United States national observance that honors the memory of those who were killed in the September 11th, 2001 attacks. It was first observed in 2002 after a proclamation by President George W. Bush on December 18, 2001.
From the Editor
The month of September turns us once again to the remembrance of 9/11 and of all the lives lost that day, together with the first responders who lost their lives in the weeks, months, and years after.
9/11 will be forever enshrined in our collective hearts and minds. We observe it as Patriot Day, a designation signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 18th, 2001.
In 2009, Congress additionally passed Public Law 111-13, annually recognizing 9/11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
But 9/11 need not be a time of only sorrowful remembrance. As two of our feature articles suggest in this month’s issue, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the groundswell of goodwill resulting from the attacks that united us together as a people in ways rarely seen before in our nation’s history. That indeed is worth remembering, celebrating, and recapturing. This month also calls us to remember our service members who were prisoners of war, and those who never came home. POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September, and we’re here for it.
September is also, importantly, Suicide Prevention Month. Veterans all across the nation are in crisis as I write this. Recognizing, responding, and preventing their unnecessary deaths is a sacred and urgent mission. FireWatch is proud to bring you articles this month that explain how you can engage and get involved in this important cause.
SEPTEMBER 10 WHERE WE WERE
In the News….
Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense, called a meeting of hundreds of Pentagon senior staff members and gave a speech in which he called Pentagon bureaucracy an enemy to security.
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, causes crisis in the British agriculture and tourism sectors. Authorities are killing cows and sheep in an effort to halt the disease.
Entertainment News…
Michael Jackson Performed in front of thousands at Madison Square Garden for his 30th Anniversary Celebration in honor of Jackson’s thirtieth year as a solo entertainer.
“Band of Brothers” based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose, created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks premiers.
Top Box Office
• The Musketeer
• American Pie 2
• Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Billboard Hot 100
• I’m Real - Jennifer Lopez Featuring Ja Rule
• Fallin’ - Alicia Keys
• Someone To Call My LoverJanet Jackson
Top TV
• Celebrity Deathmatch
• The West Wing
• Malcolm in the Middle
Top Games
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
• Gran Turismo
What’s Hot
Text Messaging, only recently had cell providers allowed users to send SMS messages to people on different networks.
Music companies began releasing MP3 players. The new MP3 format means that music listeners are able to listen to multiple albums on the go.
Interesting Facts….
Sept 10. John O’Neill, former Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s national security division in New York, celebrates his retirement at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center. On that night, he is said to have stated, “We are due for a terrorist attack. Something is coming, and it’s going to be big.” (John O’Neill died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001)
If you were born on this day, September 10, 2001, you are turning 21 in 2023
Approximately 1 in 5 Americans were born after September 11, 2001
21st Century
Since 9/11
• Smartphones
Modern smartphones like the iPhone would not be released for another 6.5 years. Only 45% of people owned a cell phone
• Social Media
• Tokenization
• GPS Navigation
GPS navigation for vehicles began officially in 2001 by private companies
• Streaming
• E-Readers
• Complete Human Genome Map
• Cryptocurrency
Common Item Cost
• Gas $1.83
• Loaf of Bread $1.82
• Dozen Eggs $0.90
Vehicle Costs
• 2001 Jeep Wrangler SE 4x4 $14,995
• 2001 Plymouth Voyager $11,995
• 2001 Toyota Corolla CE $10,995
Housing Costs
• Average Home Cost $175,200
• Median Mortgage Interest Rate 7.24%
By KeishaMarie Douglas
Suicide Awareness Month
Every notification I see on social media that a service member has taken their life, my heart aches.
Recently, someone I knew personally did the same, which hurts even more.
Before he transitioned, he was sharing his love for photography, resin art, and his dogs online. He also recently got engaged to a personal trainer. His oldest son followed in his footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and his other kids were growing up to be beautiful young ladies.
He definitely had a bright future ahead of him.
I dealt with suicidal ideation once I left the service. But the thing that stopped me from doing it was the question of who was going to take care of my dog if I was no longer here. Silly as it seems, I knew no one was going to spoil him the way I did.
So I decided to get involved with work that was ultimately more fulfilling. The working relationships with my clients helped me to realize that I could be more helpful putting others first and coincidentally expanding my reach to focus on veteran women.
I have realized that everything we do in this life is for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
So for all my brothers and sisters who have left the service, please understand that there is a purpose for you in this world. The time that we had in the military, I am not discounting it, but that was just a season of our lives. Now it’s time to go and use those skills that we’ve learned to make this world a better place.
Although sometimes it is hard to trust others, I promise, there are numerous organizations around to support us in our time of need. Just please don’t try to battle those demons alone.
I t Takes a Village
By Laurel Copper, Suicide Prevention Training Institute
The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is one most of us have heard. The phrase’s origin is unknown but attributed to an ancient African proverb and Native Americans, both communal societies.
At the heart of this phrase is the concept that everybody looks out for everybody else, which can also apply to suicide prevention. It takes all of us looking out for each other to reduce the incidence of suicide. That’s why suicide prevention education is for everyone.
Suicide prevention education is often offered to veterans and service members. Training efforts have success in providing life-saving suicide prevention, and “first-aid” tools to recognize thoughts of suicide. It teaches how to have a conversation with a person having thoughts of suicide, and how to keep that person safe for now. These actions increase help-seeking behaviors and decrease suicide attempts and deaths.
Keeping with the concept of “It takes a village,” a village includes more than the veteran. Suicide prevention education is equally vital for the veteran’s “village”—those that the veteran considers to be a priority within their support system.
In 2023, the U.S. Army Active Component, Ask, Care, Escort (ACE) suicide prevention and intervention training program expanded its training guidance by incorporating the
AimHigHR Consulting Firm
•Review/Establish Policy & Procedure Handbooks
•Leadership Team Advisory Board
“It takes a village” concept to include a tailored curriculum for the “Soldiers’ Circle of Support” members.
For the first time in the history of ACE, members of a soldier’s support system: spouse, significant other, parent, sibling, other family member, mentor, or friend, are offered the same knowledge and skills training the soldier receives as part of their suicide prevention and intervention training.
The U.S. Army’s intent in providing the same training to members of the soldier’s circle of support is to:
1. Enable conversation between the circle members and the soldier regarding suicide prevention and intervention.
2. Promote effective communication.
3. Strengthen protective factors such as increased cohesion and connection.
4. Increase suicide prevention efforts within the whole Army family.
In addition, those individuals who the veteran considers a priority within their support system will:
1. Learn that they are not alone on this journey to support their veteran.
2. Have an opportunity to make meaningful connections with others walking the same path.
3. Learn that help is available.
4. Learn that there are support systems in place for them.
The Suicide Prevention Training Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, veteran-owned, and veteran-led organization, offers suicide prevention and intervention education to Veterans and their Circle of Support.
Get involved! Support your village! Register for a Suicide Prevention Training Institute Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Workshop to learn critical life-saving skills. Visit https://www.educatingtosavelives.org/veterans for more information on upcoming workshops.
Did your life change after September 11, 2001? The answer from most people is yes, even if in the most subtle ways.
Most people took a few minutes to absorb the full impact of what had just happened and began to identify those things in their lives that weren’t as important as they thought. For others, the events of 9/11 were a hard left turn on the road of life, sending some on a path they never dreamed of before that day.
For CPT Devon Brady, the events of that day were a hard left turn. Brady had majored in fine art at USF in the nineties, graduating in 1995 with a concentration in sculpture and photography.
For the first ten years of Brady’s work life, he was in the theatrical industry doing theme park work. After 9/11, he realized he had a genuine interest in being a firefighter—a world away from working in the arts, but that is what hard left turns usually are.
Before firefighting, the then 30-year-old Devon Brady had many experiences under his belt, including working with groups to build public art projects around Tampa. His affiliation with Experimental Skeleton and Sarah Howard, a curator at the Contemporary Art Museum at USF, helped to broaden his horizons. Ultimately, he teamed up with a group out of New Orleans to transport a popular public work project they had built in Silver Springs, Florida to a permanent home in a New Orleans facility.
“I’ve always loved New Orleans, and I’ve always loved Tampa,” says Brady. “I believe there is a kinship between the two places.”
Then 9/11 happened, and by January 2002, Brady had graduated from EMT school.
He aspired to be a firefighter, but trying to decide if he would like the medical aspects of that job, he chose EMT school to start with.
“I’ll try this out,” he says. “After six months, if I hate it, I can always do something else.”
Brady learned he was passionate about both the job’s medical and firefighting sides. He attended paramedic school and the fire academy simultaneously.
WE CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST
By Kristy Verdi
We cannot change the past. We can only move forward. That is why 911day.org is focused on the day after that fateful Tuesday in 2001, and how our nation responded, working in unity with empathy and compassion.
David Paine and Jay Winuk wanted something good to come from the loss of so many lives in the 9/11 tragedy, including Jay’s younger brother, Glenn, an attorney and volunteer firefighter who was killed while responding at the World Trade Center.
They started My Good Deed, now 9/11 Day, a congressionally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.
9/11 Day is the largest annual day of charitable service in our nation.
As September is Hunger Action Month, 911day.org decided to support the efforts of other nonprofits seeking to abate hunger across the country.
In 20 cities, including Tampa, more than 20,000 volunteers, including military veterans and first responders, will assemble 8 million meal packs for those at risk of hunger. The meals will be donated and distributed by local Feeding America affiliates in the community.
Tampa’s event will be held at the Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida campus. Local corporations will provide volunteer teams to pack the meals.
911day.org also recruits support staff to set up, break down, stock tables, and serve as table captains. To see if volunteers are still needed, check the 911day.org website. Volunteers must be 18 years of age, be available to work a full 4-hour shift and participate in a one-hour virtual training session. What about Remembrance? We said, “Never forget”. Learn and Serve Tampa continues efforts to memorialize the people who died on 9/11 and after, and works to make sure youth are learning about the causes and consequences of the terrorist attacks.
For more information about local memorials and youth service opportunities related to the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, visit LearnAndServeTampa.org.
HELPING OUR VETERANS ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
By Nick Padlo, CEO of Sophros Recovery
When I got out of the Army, I struggled with my mental health. Over time, I used alcohol to “take the edge off” or deal with negative emotions. Eventually, this led to a larger problem with mental health and addiction. I started Sophros Recovery to help other Veterans who dealing with addiction and mental health. These are three of the problems I faced and see among fellow Veterans in our programs.
1. Loss of Identity
Many of us experience a loss of identity when we leave the military. Our sense of self diminishes, leading to feelings of loneliness and depression. By rediscovering our core values and aligning our lives with them, we rebuild a purpose-driven identity. This process involves exercises and counseling to reconnect with our intrinsic motivations and goals.
2. “Tough it out” Mentality
In the military, we tough it out through physical weakness and vulnerability is often seen as weakness. This does
NOT work with our mental health. Group therapy and process groups give us a supportive environment to share our experiences, realize we are not alone, and learn from others with similar struggles. This approach fosters openness and breaks down the stigma associated with seeking help.
3. Operator Syndrome
Operator Syndrome is a set of symptoms shown by those with high-intensity combat roles. Essentially, we were “turned up” too long, and our body/brain don’t know how to go back to normal, now that we are safe. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps us identify and change negative thoughts, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on emotion regulation and mindfulness. Together, this equips us with skills to return to a baseline. If you are struggling, reach out for help. It can get better. It does get better.
We know that this is a difficult call to make; we know because we have been there. We are ready to talk with you with zero judgement, in full support of getting you the help you need. Our Mission is to give Veterans the tools to reclaim their lives Evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental health disorders in an outpatient setting Group Therapy
Join Veterans and our families on the 4th Monday of each month
5pm Auxiliary • 5pm Riders • 6pm Sons • 7pm Legion Club House at Plantation Palms Golf Club 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd. Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
ALL LEGION MEMBERS RECEIVE A PLANTATION
PALMS GOLF CLUB SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP
For details about membership contact Don Hinst, Commander Post 108 813-845-9108
VETTIPS
with Kat Mahoney
IMPLEMENTING A VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM IN YOUR COMPANY
Veterans bring an immense wealth of skills and experience to the civilian workforce, yet the transition isn’t always easy. Here’s how your company can help.
GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE PROGRAM
Recruitment is the first step in establishing a successful Veterans Employment Program.
Make no mistake, your human resources staff may be great at their jobs, but if they are unfamiliar with the nuances of military life, they may struggle to understand the needs of veteran employees. You need experienced personnel capable of translating a veteran’s skills to suit your company’s needs and helping them navigate their new work environment.
Veterans or spouses themselves are often the best candidates for these roles. They know first-hand the challenges their fellow service members face when transitioning into civilian life and they can help bridge the gap between military and civilian work cultures, making the transitioning process smoother and more effective.
RE-ADJUSTING YOUR WAY OF HIRING
Change the way you word your job ads, job requirements, and recruiting methods.
Start by rewriting your job ads. Avoid using jargon that may be unfamiliar to veterans. Instead, use clear and straightforward language that accurately describes the position.
Modify your job requirements. Instead of requiring a specific degree, consider accepting equivalent experience. Many veterans have decades of experience but lack formal qualifications.
Rethink your recruiting methods. Job fairs and online job boards are great but consider also reaching out to military transition centers and veterans associations.
ELIMINATING AUTO-ELIMINATING RESUME SOFTWARE
Auto-eliminating resume software has become a prevalent tool in the hiring process. However, this software can unintentionally exclude qualified veteran candidates. Instead of relying on software to screen resumes, hire a human to do the job. This ensures that each application is carefully reviewed, and that no potentially valuable candidate is overlooked.
Eliminating auto-eliminating software can increase the number of veteran candidates that make it to the interview stage. This gives you a more diverse pool of candidates to choose from and enhances your chances of finding the perfect fit.
PROVIDING ESSENTIAL TRAINING
The first few months of work can be a challenging time for a veteran, but a well-structured training program can ease this transition.
This program should include a combination of hands-on training, theoretical learning, and mentorship. The goal is not just to train veterans to do their new job, it’s to help them adapt to a completely new working environment. Therefore, part of your training program should also include a support system. This could be a mentor or a team member who is available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Implementing a successful Veterans Employment Program is no easy task, but with the right approach, it’s entirely possible. By hiring the right people, re-adjusting your hiring practices, eliminating auto-eliminating software, providing essential training, and celebrating Veterans Day, you can create a program that truly benefits both your company and the veterans it employs.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kat Mahoney is the visionary leader and executive producer of Katnip & Coffee Work Life Balance and is, among many other distinctions, former National Military Spouse of the Year, and Chair of the Greater Brandon Chamber Military Affairs Committee. To learn more about her program, visit www.katnipandcoffee.com.
VETERAN VOICES
By Josh Porthouse
Lessons Learned
We’ve all lost our identities once or twice, haven’t we? In hindsight, was the more effective solution to throw up our hands, hit the “F*** it!” button, overwhelmed in futility, then move on aimlessly?
Actually, yes. For a time, yes, it was. I’ve been there. I get it.
But reality isn’t as subjective. The dichotomy of our society illustrates this point. Throughout American history, what we subjectively choose to articulate to future generations is best reserved for home environments where safety, security, and trust can be more readily offered alongside judgment, jest, and what used to be constructive criticism.
Public venues like schools, churches, camps, and even more recently massively multiplayer online roleplaying games like Roblox and Fortnite, for example, have been reserved for all manner of public discourse (add a nod here to varying degrees of civility).
As parents and children, we have never been able to fully control what past or future generations are exposed to. From sheltering “tiger moms” to online groups like D.A.D.D. (Dads Against Daughters Dating), we can try. But eventually, we can only ever, at best, foster environments with enough controls to provide experiential learning environments. Those settings can only be grounded in our historical or legacy experiences regarding perceived threats from our lives and lessons learned. So, then, can we teach patriotism without bias or indoctrination? How can we address diverse national perspectives and experiences when teaching patriotism? How do we then articulate the benefit of patriotism when even scientific fact is in question? How do we present
threats and motivations of counterinsurgent eras throughout global history without misinterpreting cancel culture, wokeness, or even empathetic readers?
We educate based on the patterns that lead to corruption, greed, and genocide. If I’ve learned anything from any coming-of-age movie I’ve ever seen (and there isn’t much), it is that when two parties cannot communicate effectively, violence follows soon after.
Sayings like, “If you want peace, you must prepare,” often become, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” But ruling from positions of instigating the worst in people contorts lessons learned.
Encouraging the perception of the best in people and fair governance of citizens and their ways of life is often complicated and highly complex at the best of times.
Where did that get us?
Twenty-three years ago we were told that the Middle East had weapons of mass destruction squarely aimed at the US. Later that would be disproven. Now, it seems that may be true.
The threat now isn’t rooted in nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiation-based munitions. The threat is that our national identity has been fractured. And in that process, throughout our more recent generational shift of two decades, it has become poisoned and divisive.
What we strive to secure holds equal relevance today but diminishes resonance. What we attempt to reason through and discern as a threat or benefit evolves quicker than we can comfortably interpret.
Those accustomed to uncertainty, dust, smoke, dirt, debris, and confusion have seen this fog before.
We can’t rely on the social distortion or chaos present after the blast. We can’t reason through our disassociation of decades removed from popular technocratic culture.
We certainly can’t ask for help to regain our bearings. Where would we go? TikTok? … No thanks! We’ve already studied this map. We’ve already conducted the ethical decision games and rehearsals of concept drills to prepare for this incursion.
Step 1: observe the patterns of the area, civil considerations, key people, events, and environments.
Step 2: Orient to a direction that most efficiently illuminates mission accomplishment balanced with the welfare of our spheres of influence.
Step 3: Decide on the most appropriate course of action through wargaming and critical, objective thought.
Step 4: Take action to isolate the threat and gain a foothold.
The same actors seek to destabilize us today as they did in 2001. While we didn’t do ourselves any favors throughout years of allegedly doctrinal stability operations, this may be the American hubris carrying global attribution.
We’re all growing through it together, but a national identity crisis is nothing to panic about. Our role changed in the world while we’ve been on watch. Experience is the best teacher, so I’ve heard. Selfawareness breeds community, resilience, and prosperity because it is rooted in respect, boundaries, and selfcontrol.
Good thing pride and patriotism aren’t based on roles or identities, right boys?
THE QUESTION: How do we maintain objectivity while ensuring lessons taught about patriotism are lessons learned?
This question is honestly a hard one to answer, especially given the past 24 years or so of American
history. War, multiple generations dealing with our elected leaders personally benefitting from actions that may not be in the best interest of Americans and transitioning to a “civilian” world has put a lot of strain on patriotism. I think stressing the importance of the theory behind patriotism, as well as the intent behind being an “American” is really the only way to successfully teach the importance of patriotism. We need to be able to identify what was done right, what was done wrong, and everything in-between. Once we can do that, we will have given the younger and future generations the tools they need to ensure that they can prosper as individuals and Americans. Teach that patriotism exists in a vacuum external to politics, lobbying, and media influences. –
R. Lee, USMC
To keep our lessons about patriotism objective and impactful, we must approach the subject with a balanced and engaging method. Start by offering a comprehensive view of our country’s history, showcasing its triumphs and trials. This way, students can see patriotism through a realistic lens. It’s crucial to foster critical thinking. Encourage students to delve into various perspectives, ask questions, and participate in meaningful discussions about what patriotism means to them. Activities like debates, essays, and interactive projects can make these concepts more relatable and thought-provoking. Interactive teaching methods such as storytelling, role-playing, and project-based learning are effective. These approaches help students connect on a deeper level, ensuring that lessons about patriotism are not just heard but truly understood. By balancing history with engaging teaching methods, we can nurture a realistic and lasting sense of patriotism in students. This approach helps promote informed and thoughtful citizenship, which is the ultimate goal of teaching patriotism. – J. Abreu, USA
EDITOR’S NOTE: Josh Porthouse is currently a Marine Corps Reservist with 14 years on active duty. As a Team FireWatch Veteran Voices Contributor, Josh works alongside other veterans to bring a personal perspective to relevant topics for today’s active-duty and veteran service members.
GUNS G R
BY CHRIS “RANGER” GAY
PATRIOTS REMEMBER
September marks two especially important dates for Americans that love and support their country and its veterans. The first is a day that most of us will never forget, September 11th, the day that America was attacked by terrorists using commercial aircraft in an attempt to destroy our freedom and way of life.
We lost many innocent people that day In Ney York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. This attack started a 20-plus year war against terrorism around the world.
Post 9/11, Ted and I both spent the rest of our military careers deployed to various locations in the Middle East, Africa, South American, and Asia Pacific.
The second date is POW/MIA Recognition Day, observed on the third Friday in September. This is the day we remember those that were captured by the enemy and endured captivity, torture, pain, and suffering, both physical and psychological in the defense of our great nation.
As we remember both of these dates, we ask that everyone take a moment out of their busy lives to reflect on what these dates mean to us.
For those of us that served in the wars of the last 20-plus years, 9/11 will always be the date that changed our lives.
I remember it was day two of Ranger School and we were running the students through CIF to get them the gear they would need for the next 68 days
Chris & Ted’s
of grueling training. Our commander came down to the shed and had us stop everything, put the students into a huddle, and explained what had happened (we were in the woods away from television and radio).
We ran the students back to the camp to let them start calling loved ones that may have been affected by the attacks. We moved so fast that the we made it to the TV just as the towers began to fall.
Over 75 instructors went to the personnel office that day and put in for transfers to return to their units. We all knew that the country was going to war, and we were not going to sit on the sidelines for it!
As for Ted, he was with already with JSOC, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He and his element were some of the first to deploy in what would be called the “Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT).
What we both fondly remember, is that on September 12th, we witnessed a Nation united. For the next few weeks, we all came together as a single nation, putting all of our differences aside. We were “one nation, under God”, and we were united in wanting to do something about the terrorism problem plaguing the world.
POW/MIA Recognition Day is just as somber for military personnel because we are remembering the sacrifices that our brothers and sisters in arms made in defense of this nation.
Some endured catastrophic injuries, torture, and lifelong psychological scars. This, like 9/11, is not a day of celebration, but a day of somber remembrance. So, as we roll into fall, this Patriot Day (9/11), take a moment to honor all those who lost their lives, and the loved ones left behind. Then on the third Friday, September 20th, 2024, take a moment to remember the sacrifices our POWs have made for this great nation.
VNPS ROOFING
EDITOR’S NOTE: Chris “Ranger” Gay is a U.S. Army veteran and the owner of 2nd Amendment Armory in Brandon, Florida.
“I don’t recommend it to anybody,” he says.
He recalls his wife holding down the home front while he showed up at the house to drop off dirty clothes and pick up clean ones before he headed back out the door. It was 2004 when Brady had finished his required schooling and certifications and began his life as a firefighter.
The Fireman
Fast forward to 2024, and Fire Captain Devon Brady has reached 20 years of service as a firefighter.
When looking back he admits, “A lot of calls you forget about before you even get back into the truck, but there are some that stay with you.”
One of those calls involved him accompanying another ladder captain on medical escort flights. One flight took them over New Orleans just days after Katrina hit the city in 2005.
“I remember the pilot tipped the wing of the plane, and we looked down and saw the roof of the Superdome. We could see the water running into the streets.”
Through the eyes of a firefighter with the heart of an artist who had spent so much time in New Orleans, it was a reminder of how disasters can devistate a city and its population, not unlike New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville.
Brady’s fire station is often sent a lot of new recruits. He jests, “I don’t know if that reflects my ability to train them or just that nobody else wants them.”
Regardless, he enjoys working with new recruits.
“When a new guy or gal comes in, you get to experience their first time driving a fire truck with lights and sirens, that is pretty intense,” he says. “The work keeps me on my toes and requires me to train and do stuff that sometimes a veteran crew no longer does.”
On his past twenty years as a firefighter, Brady says, “You look at it from one angle, and it feels like the past twenty years went by instantly. Then, you remember that you’ve been through so much in that timeframe.”
Brady intends to retire at 25 years.
“I’ll will probably have run 15,000-to-20,000 calls by then,” he says.
The Artist
Brady has never lost his passion for the arts and has continued working on art projects throughout his firefighting career.
When asked if he successfully combines his two passions, he explains, “I don’t know that I am successful in combining them, but I think that’s intentional on my part. I like that I’ve always had a second job, as most firefighters do. Mine is just a bit different from the normal second jobs, like a tech in the hospital or something like that.”
Keeping a life balance between firefighting and the arts has benefited Brady, who finds peace in the ability to do something totally different on his days off from the firehouse.
“Having a completely different set of friends with different interests helps me turn off work for a while,” he says.
The Bait Ball Art Project
For his latest project, this fireman artist has created a multi-media immersive kinetic sculpture on display at FloridaRAMA (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete).
“I was looking to do a project that reflected Florida. My wife and I were talking about Florida things and Florida phenomenon when she shared about these bait balls and how they move,” he explains. “I was amazed that you could see aerial images of these schools of fish and how they move and circulate. Their movements and actions reminded us of a flock of birds. We started looking at what drove them and how to recreate the effect.”
Describing The Bait Ball in only words is difficult. The full-size interactive display takes on a level of 3D animation that has to be seen to be believed.
“Each fish on the ball is like a frame of animation. When the strobe light hits and the ball spins, you see different fish with every flash of the strobe. It’s like a flip book, but in three dimensions,” says Brady. “This is spinning at about 70 RPMs or 20 miles per hour. You can feel the wind coming off of it as it moves.”
Brady explains that his art projects come from a question more than a statement about his personal feelings. He describes his research and planning as an investigative process.
“I do most of my work on the computer in a 3D environment. The entire project gets modeled and drawn in three dimensions.”
Each fish in The Bait Ball is 3D printed directly from the model Brady creates on his computer.
“There are about 254 fish in this project, and each one takes about 12 hours to print from the printer.”
The Fireman Artist
Where does the fireman artist go from here? Brady says, “I’ve always got something brewing. I don’t draw hard lines between my projects, whether building a travel van, writing a book, playing music with my son, it’s all creative output.”
As firehouse Chief, “we continue to put on the suit every day, training and preparing, and ready to jump into action when needed.”
To learn about CPT. Devon Brady, The Fireman Artist, visit his website at www.devonbrady.com.
FloridaRAMA
To see The Bait Ball, you must visit the ever-exciting, interactive, and mind-blowing FloridaRAMA in St. Pete, Florida, where they celebrate “all things weird, wacky, and wonderful.”
At the Art Center, they blend art and technology to create a unique immersive experience. Over 72 artists are featured at the center, taking on 20 spaces highlighting different Florida stories. The Strawberry Room highlights the Strawberry Festival, and the Everglades Arena plays on the Everglades, for example.
Information, tickets, event schedules, and more can be found at www.floridarama.art.
BYWAYS
By Kurt Waterstradt
The Path for Your Purpose
It’s one of the moments in history you’ll never forget. The moments of shock and tragedy imprint on you forever.
On September 11th, 2001, I had the day off because the next day I was graduating from “A” school in Pensacola, FL, and earning my Navy rate. Not exactly the graduation memory you want, but it’s the one I share with my fellow classmates.
This day changed the course of the world. It definitely changed the course of millions of lives. As Americans grieved, helped each other, and started the slow path to recovery, many felt the call to serve.
In response to the attacks, 181,510 Americans enlisted and 72,908 joined the reserves.
Each person enlists for their own reasons, whether it was the attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Whether this was their purpose that fateful morning or not, they all chose the path of service in that moment.
While you honor veterans, service members, and their families this month, I challenge you to go beyond the handshake and, “Thank you for your service.” In this moment, truly honor all the veterans, past, present, and future, by being decisively brave: live your purpose. Live it now.
Your purpose, your “why” provides your life with a direction. This is what you want to do because it fulfills you at your core. It’s the reason you’re here.
There are a lot of avenues for you to live your purpose, but it’s a matter of identifying the right one for you. When you served, each new duty station, rank, title, and job fulfilled your purpose of service, but you are the decision maker now.
Muriel Strode said, “I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.”
Perhaps you’re on a path and you’re unfulfilled. You can change that. Maybe you’re heading in the right direction, but need to make some changes. You can do that. Nothing can prevent you from blazing your own more fulfilling path!
Remember, you are brave and courageous. Embrace your life and live with a purpose that makes each day brighter for you and others. You never know when life can change. No one knew that morning that their life and the world would change forever.
Every moment is your chance to choose a life of purpose for yourself, for your family and friends. The world will be better because you do.
KRAV MAGA: Do It Now
By Stephen J. Del Castillo
“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” — Christopher Parker
I have found over the years that many people are victims of “analysis paralysis”. That is to say that they take too much time to consider what to do and too little time doing it.
Of course, there is also the opposite behavior, in which we act without thinking, and I am not suggesting we do that instead.
What I am saying is that once you have considered something and concluded that it might be a positive move for you, don’t take too much time before acting. Procrastination is how you talk yourself out of a good thing that could have made a real difference in your life.
If you are considering something that could benefit you physically, mentally, professionally, or relationally, something that could add joy and fulfillment to your life, take action!
It’s like our parents taught us when we were kids: you’ve got to at least try the food to know if you like it or not.
So, whatever it is that you have been considering doing, especially if it’s something potentially good for you, take the leap!
There are, of course, bad habits you could take up—I consider procrastination one of them! If you know you have a couple of bad habits dragging you down, quit at least one of them!
Basic point: if you’ve been considering doing something great for yourself that could help you become the person you want to be, don’t procrastinate!
Boldness has genius and power in it!
EDITOR’S
Air Force Veteran Beverly Sheffield’s
She
OVERHEAD
By Toni Hedstrom
Chris Plumley, now retired, spent 37 years in military service, and of those, 24 years at the Pentagon. Plumley was part of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, and later the Pentagon Police Department, guiding hundreds, if not thousands, on guided tours of the Pentagon.
“As a member of the Pentagon Police Department, I know every inch of the building and still marvel over its vastness and purpose,” says Plumley, “It has over 17 miles of hallways, stairs, and corridors and is occupied by over 25,000 military personnel and civilians.”
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Plumley attended an instruction course at FOB 2, a Navy Annex building on a hill adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery with a clear view of the Pentagon’s west wall.
“I normally worked the midnight shift, 2300 to 0700, and would have been home asleep that morning if it weren’t for the training class,” Plumley says.
During a break in one of their classes, the group was drawn to the television news channel in absolute horror and shock as they witnessed the second plane slam into the World Trade Center in New York City.
“We were discussing how Washington, D.C. could be next,” recalls Plumley, “and how our location (the Pentagon) could be a prime target. Shortly after, we heard the ear-piercing sound of a Boeing 757 jet not more than 20-50 feet above the building, followed by a large boom that shook the floor beneath our feet.”
SAMS CUT & COLOR
American Airlines Flight 77, with 64 souls on board, had just flown 25 feet overhead of the Annex, shearing the communication antenna off the neighboring Sheraton hotel at Pentagon City.
The massive explosion of the airline hitting the west wall of the Pentagon took place at approximately 9:37 a.m.
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Flight 77 had 64 people on board; a crew of six plus 58 passengers, all of whom perished, and a devastating 7,000plus gallons of fuel on board.
“My colleagues and I scrambled,” Plumley goes on, “half immediately making their way to the Pentagon and others scrambling for weapons and radios. When I made my way outside, I looked down the hill at the Pentagon and saw black smoke billowing from the crash site, causing a stark contrast to the otherwise crystal blue sky.”
Upon arriving at the crash area, Plumley was met with pure chaos.
“Everyone was running back and forth, many entering the building to rescue their comrades. When I was within 100 meters, I was stopped dead in my tracks for a second by the heat radiating from the building and the smell of burning concrete and human flesh. It brought back similar sensations I had experienced while serving in the sands of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War,” Plumley says, gravely.
Like many others, Plumley rushed into the building without a breathing device and, like the rest, began choking on the thick black smoke and smell of burning fuel—but this stopped no one.
The flight struck inside Wedge One near the fourth Corridor, resulting in 125 deaths inside.
On September 11th, 2001, the Pentagon’s bridge to corridor four, one of ten numbered corridors that extend from the A Ring, apexes on the inside to the E Ring on the outside, had just been remodeled, and people were in the process of repopulating the office space in that area.
Were it not for the ongoing construction, many more lives would have been lost.
During the chaos and attempts to save lives, the panic continued to rise as reports of an second plane inbound spread across the radio net. Rescue and first responder crews
were cleared from the building in anticipation of a second attack.
Ultimately, the rescue operations continued. The fire itself burned for more than 24 hours longer because crews could not use foam for fear of taking the air away from survivors inside the rubble.
“After the fire was put out and all victims were recovered, the site was turned over to federal investigators who declared the area a crime scene and inspected the area with a fine-tooth comb,” Plumley says. “The Pentagon Police Department had many officers inside the Pentagon that day, standing watch on static posts in sensitive and classified areas throughout the building.
“Against the odds, we were the lucky ones that day; our department did not lose anyone. However, a few years later, two officers did pass away due to complications from injuries received during the attack,” he reports.
“I ask you to remember those two officers and the others who gallantly gave their lives when rescuing our citizens.”
WITHOUT GLORY
BY: KEN SMITS
The last time I saw Smitty was on an airplane out of ’Nam and back to the States. For me, the war was over; at least, that is what I thought. For Smitty, it was a 30-day leave to figure out why his wife had tried to commit suicide.
We had just survived the battle that took nearly our whole team. The only ones left were Smitty, me, and two others, Worm and Animal, who left the battle without much left in the attic, if you know what I mean.
Smitty wasn’t speaking to me. During the battle, we lost so many. We had lost DJ. He was gone. Smitty and I, both injured, were doing everything we could to get Worm and Animal out of there. We couldn’t carry DJ. As team lead, it was my call to leave him there, and Smitty couldn’t forgive me for that. I couldn’t forgive me either.
Ultimately, Smitty returned to ’Nam for another tour. This time, as team leader. It was about five years later that I learned of Smitty’s fate.
Upon his return to ’Nam, he led a heavy team of 12. He had the Montagnards from our last team and others I knew with him. A few months into the tour, his team was dispatched somewhere in Northern Vietnam/Laos.
One of the Montagnards and the team Medic were situated on a ridge line, watching the rest of the team as they maneuvered into a valley. They watched helplessly as a large group of NVA circled in.
What they witnessed was chaotic and hopeless. The team was lost, and their bodies never recovered. The military attempted to find the remains, but there was nothing left. The Montegnard and the Medic’s eyewitness account of Smitty being beheaded is what I am left with.
For the record, Smitty is listed as MIA, but I know better. I had been warned of the value of an American’s head to the NVA.
The bodies of fallen A-Team operators were rarely found. Without a body, they were listed as missing. Smitty is gone from this world and has been for a long time. His real name is on the MIA list, but we know the truth. He is still alive in my memories, all those missions, his crazy antics, his dreams and life plans. I remember all of that.
God Bless the A-Team and all prisoners of war and those missing in action. We have not forgotten you.
THE FIREWATCH SIX-PACK
Six Books We Love!
This month’s picks by FireWatch Contributor, Kurt Waterstradt
From the Core by John Wineland
Connect on a deeply profound level with yourself and others through this essential guide for men. Discover your authentic masculinity by cultivating emotional awareness, embracing vulnerability, and establishing presence through practical exercises. As Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese monk, teacher, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh teaches the principles of mindful communication to foster deeper connections and understanding. Learn the importance of compassionate listening and loving speech toward others and with yourself. Study practical techniques to enhance relationships and inner peace through conscious, thoughtful interactions.
Chameleon Aura by Billy Chapata
A soulful collection of poems and prose exploring self-love, healing, and transformation. With lyrical language and evocative imagery, Chapata influences readers to embrace their true selves, find inner strength, and navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Thought provoking and beautiful.
Freedom by Sebastian Junger
What is freedom? Junger takes a look at the concept of freedom through the lens of history, sociology, and personal experience. He offers a thought-provoking narrative on the balance between individual liberty and societal constraints by examining autonomy, community, and survival.
Deep by James Nestor
Explore the mysteries of the ocean and our connection to it in a single breath. Immerse yourself in the unforgiving and beautiful world of freediving. Nestor blends science, adventure, and personal narrative into the physiological and psychological aspects of deep-sea diving, uncovering the deep ocean’s profound impact on all that explore it.
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Stressed? Overwhelmed? Too many screens? When was the last time you laid in the grass? Investigate nature’s positive effects on health and well-being through scientific research and personal testimonials. Williams exposes how natural environments reduce stress, enhance creativity, and improve mental and physical health. Perhaps read it under a tree.
9/11 THE VIEW FROM D.C.
An appeal to our better angels
Only the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center by the time I received the panicked phone call from my friend Jan, urging me to get out of bed and turn on the news.
It was the morning of September 11th, 2001. A Tuesday. Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I got out of bed, put on a pot of coffee, and turned on the TV.
It was everywhere. On every channel.
Moments later, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. The news showed it happen live as the world was watching.
My hand raised to my mouth, I felt the blood drain from my head, chills racing down my spine. I dropped the phone. I lived in a 10-story apartment building in Northwest Washington, D.C. near Logan Circle at the time. The building featured a rooftop sundeck.
Still in shock, I just … for whatever reason … made my way upstairs to that sundeck. To do what? Pray? Meditate? … I don’t know. I wound up just standing there, in the sunlight of that otherwise beautiful morning, shaking.
I don’t know how long I was standing there, tears in my eyes, but I happened to be facing roughly southwest at the time.
A dot in the sky caught my attention. I squinted. It was a plane, surely. Far off, coming in from the west somewhere south of the Potomac, probably headed for Reagan National Airport—or so I thought.
And then, after appearing to pitch down sharply, it was just suddenly gone.
Then came the plume of smoke—that awful, billowy grey and black smoke that rose over the horizon. I knew immediately it had to be the Pentagon—the building I worked in just four years prior toward the end of my Navy tenure. This was clearly no accident. Someone was attacking us.
Well, this is it, I thought to myself, this is the end I went back downstairs. After watching some more of the news, now reporting another plane gone missing—we would later learn this was United Flight 93—and now speculating that planes could be headed for the Capital Building and the White
BY E.J. CHRISTY
House, I abandoned the coffee idea.
Instead, I poured myself a 32-ounce vodka and Coke and proceeded to enshrine that moment in a morose stupor not soon to be forgotten.
The nation’s capital was a virtual war zone. Soldiers patrolling the streets in Humvees, there were armored personnel carriers, even tanks could be seen everywhere.
All of the city’s public transportation shut down. My poor roommate, who was at work at the time, had to make his way home from Arlington, Virginia. First, he tried a taxi, but the military was not allowing vehicle traffic to cross the bridge into D.C., so he was on foot the rest of the way. What was normally a 30-minute commute home took him four hours that day.
As I awoke, nonplussed, from my alcohol-induced coma some eight or ten hours later, night had fallen. And there, in that moment, the weight of the collective, assiduous, and intensely paralyzing shock and grief of millions of people began to be deeply felt in my soul.
OUR BETTER ANGELS
In spite of the horror of it all, something else happened that day. Thousands of stories of personal bravery and heroism began to be told across the airwaves, in homes, in communities, on the news, in the streets.
“The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely, they will be, by the better angels of our nature,” President Lincoln said in his first inaugural address.
Suddenly, all over the nation—and in many other parts of the world—the American flag dotted the landscape, flying from every front porch, hanging in windows, draping whole buildings and monuments, flying proudly upon every flagpole.
We came together in a spirit of unity and purpose. A groundswell of patriotism and a shared sense of destiny overtook us, and we, the American people, were united as never before. It seemed as though we were never so touched in all of history by our better angels.
Today, merely 23 years later, we have never been so divided. Identity politics, personality cults, and greed have poisoned our national discourse. We Americans can hardly recall a time when we loved our neighbors as ourselves, when we could disagree and still respect and love one another. Tragically, we have lost our sense of unity.
It was all too fleeting … a mere flash in the pan of our shared history.
These prose are less about my recollections of that horrible day, and more of an appeal to those better angels of our nature. What I wouldn’t give to see a nation as united together in purpose and in spirit as we were in the days, weeks, months, and years following 9/11.
Our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, once described America as, “a shinning city on a hill,” a phrase he borrowed from John Winthrop.
“I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life,” Reagan said during his farewell address to the nation, “but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind, it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace.”
And that, my fellow Americans, is the vision of America I am proud to have put on the nation’s uniform in order to preserve.
May God bless you. May God bless our troops, our veterans, and all our people. And may God preserve them all, these, our better angels.
EDITOR’S NOTE: E.J. Christy is Assistant Managing Editor of FireWatch Magazine, a U.S. Navy veteran, a pastor in his local community of Jacksonville, Florida, an award-winning essayist, and a passionate supporter of veterans’ causes.
A rescue helicopter surveys the damage to the Pentagon as fire fighters battle flames after a hijacked airplane crashed into the U.S. military headquarters outside of Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Larry Downing
Gearing Up For The Battle Against Tobacco
A career in the Armed Services demands understanding threats, knowing your resources, self-care, and commitment. When the discharge papers are signed, these same skills can help face off against another insidious enemy – tobacco addiction. The good news is you don’t go in without tools or a team – Tobacco Free Florida can help.
About 1 in 5 American veterans currently use cigarettes – much higher than the national average. This is partly due to myths and misconceptions: many people believe smoking is a stress reliever, but actually nicotine increases stress levels and quitting smoking can lower them. Also, the tobacco industry spent billions targeting veterans over the decades with events, advertising, and offered price discounts
to associate smoking with the positive image of a military career.
Quitting smoking is more than just good for your lungs and your pocketbook. It alleviates chronic health conditions many veterans deal with, like back pain, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Tobacco use can also interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medicines used to treat mental health conditions, requiring higher dosages and stronger prescriptions. And, of course, there is nothing to compare with continuing to be there for your family in the years and decades to come.
The good news is: if you or a loved one uses tobacco and is ready to quit, you don’t have to go for it alone.
Tobacco Free Florida, a bureau of the Florida Department of Health, provides free tools and services to help tobacco users quit. Phone Quit provides 24/7 Quit Coaches to create a personalized quit plan. Web Quit offers live coach support
via text and chat, automated text support, and a personalized dashboard.
Group Quit, which is also popular, is available virtually or inperson across Florida. These sessions provide a judgment-free quit support program built on camaraderie.
When you’re ready to battle tobacco and win, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com or call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (822-6669) to learn about the plan of attack to defeat tobacco once and for all.
1 Nieh, C., Mancuso, J. D., Powell, T. M., Welsh, M. M., Gackstetter, G. D., & Hooper, T. I. (2021). Cigarette smoking patterns among U.S. military service members before and after separation from the military. PloS one, 16(10), e0257539. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257539
2 Parrott, A. C., & Murphy, R. S. (2012). Explaining the stress-inducing effects of nicotine to cigarette smokers. Human psychopharmacology, 27(2), 150–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.1247
From Service to Security: Life
Insurance Insights for Veterans
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. Life insurance is crucial for everyone, but it holds special significance for veterans. Veterans face unique circumstances and risks, making life insurance particularly important.
For many veterans, the transition from military to civilian life brings new responsibilities and uncertainties. Life insurance can provide financial security for families, ensuring loved ones are cared for in the event of an untimely death. This is especially vital for veterans with dependents.
Life insurance isn’t just about providing for loved ones after death. Many policies offer living benefits, which can be invaluable if a veteran becomes seriously ill or injured. These benefits can help cover medical expenses, loss of income, and other financial burdens. Some policies allow for accelerated death benefits, where a portion of the death benefit can be accessed early in the case of a chronic or terminal illness. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several life insurance options tailored to the needs of veterans. One notable option is the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) program, which allows veterans to convert their Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) to a renewable term life insurance policy. This ensures continued coverage
3 Smith, E. A., & Malone, R. E. (2009). Tobacco promotion to military personnel: “the plums are here to be plucked”. Military medicine, 174(8), 797–806. https:// doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-04-4108
4 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Pain management & tobacco use. Veterans Health Administration. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth. va.gov/quit-tobacco/docs/PainManagementandTobaccoUse.pdf [accessed 23 July 2024.]
5 Chan, C. H., & Hategan, A. (2022). Tobacco smoking and its drug interactions in psychiatric populations: Implications for inpatient care. Journal of Psychiatry Reform, 11(3). https://journalofpsychiatryreform.com/2022/01/13/tobaccosmoking-and-its-drug-interactions-in-psychiatric-populations-implications-forinpatient-care/
MONEY TREE
BY SARA BACHELDER
without requiring a medical exam if converted within a certain timeframe.
Another option is the VA Life Insurance for Service-Disabled Veterans, which provides coverage for veterans with a VA disability rating. This program offers up to $10,000 in coverage, with an additional $30,000 through the Supplemental ServiceDisabled Veterans Insurance program.
Additionally, cash value life insurance policies can be valuable for veterans planning for retirement. These policies provide a death benefit and accumulate cash value over time, which can be borrowed against or withdrawn to supplement retirement savings.
Life insurance is not just about financial security; it’s a testament to the care and foresight veterans have for their families. By taking advantage of the life insurance options available, veterans can ensure their loved ones are protected and maintain peace of mind knowing they have provided for their family’s future.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Bachelder is a retirement planning specialist trained under Shirley Luu, a nationally recognized expert in financial planning. Sara provides personalized guidance on maximizing military retirement benefits, optimizing TSP investments, and integrating other sources of retirement income. Her goal is to empower veterans with the knowledge and strategies necessary to achieve true financial freedom.
upcomingnon-profit events
7th – 9/11 Memorial Community Placement Event
Watch how our community comes together to place 2977 placards to commemorate all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Once placed, the placards create a 200’x100’ American Flag. Event will feature Vendors, Food Trucks, Learning Centers, and the Tribute to our Troops Florida Fallen memorial.
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Rosebud Continuum • 22843 Hale Rd, Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
12th – Hope and Action Veterans Coffee Social
The Hope and Action series aims to serve our veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, and their families through (MiCA)
MOBILIZE – INQUIRE – CONNECT – ACT
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Time 9:00 AM
Location: USF Health, Neurosciences Institute
4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa
11th – 9/11 Memorial Candlelight Vigil
Join Chaplain Don Hinst, Commander of The American Legion Post 108, for an intimate memorial and remembrance event to honor those lost on September 11. 2001 and post-September 11. 2001 in the war on terror.
Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Rosebud Continuum 22843 Hale Rd, Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
23rd – Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay Center For Healing & Remembrance Annual Golf Classic
2024 SEPTEMBER
Healing through art! Help the VATCB raise crucial funds to help veterans and their families find healing through the arts. For ticket information, visit VACTB.org.
Date: Mon, September 23, 2024 | 8:30 AM Registration | 10:00 AM Shot Gun
Location: Northdale Golf Course 4417 Northdale Blvd, Tampa
VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL
Plantation Palms Golf Club, Land O’Lakes • Visit https://tinyurl.com/ruru354h Applied Suicide Prevention Skills Training FREE for Veterans, Their Families, and Gatekeepers Use Discount Code 0924VET
Stop by anytime between 8 AM - 3 PM
Participate in an incredible memorial placement
Earn valuable and meaningful volunteer hours
Vendors • Food Trucks • Learning Centers
18 Hole 4 Person Scramble Friday, October 25, 2024 • 8:30AM
Friday, September 20th & Saturday, September 21st 2024
AND
SCAN FOR DETAILS or visit tinyurl.com/2y5feefd 813-807-SPTI (7784) | spti@educatingtosavelives.org Register Join us for an intimate gathering to honor & remember the lives lost on and since 9•11•2001 in the War on Terror
Rosebud Continuum 7 PM • September 11, 2024 • 22843 Hale Rd, Land O’Lakes
Date: FRIDAY
September 20, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location:
Mulligan’s Irish Pub
Plantation Palms Golf Club
23253 Plantation Palms Blvd.
Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
#TeamFireWatch is teaming up with the American Legion for the American Legion Post 108’s Got Talent Event! Come out to see live music from local musicians, have food, and enjoy great company!
In the Summer of 2023, a group of Hillsborough County, Florida community partners with a veteran-centric focus and concerns about suicide prevention awareness and outreach decided to initiate a new monthly intervention—a coffee social with purpose.
By bringing passionate community partners together, driven by the community, and with diverse representation, the Hope and Action Coffee Social event was born, and ever since we have been showing that suicide prevention is everyone’s business. The reasons behind this initiative came from awareness of the national veteran suicide crisis and looking at different data locally, state, and nationally. The ageadjusted rate per 100,000 population of deaths from suicide in Hillsborough County was 13.7 compared to the state of suicide death in Florida at 14.1 (FLHealth, 2022). It is even more of an eye-opener to know that veteran suicide was the 13th leading cause of death in 2021 nationally (National Report, 2023).
After spearheading a similar effort in Pinellas County, Florida (Bohn 2022), a group decided to build off that model intervention. The collaborative effort of the monthly Hope & Action Veterans Coffee Socials launched in September 2023. The first event attracted about 15 participants. The planning group expanded target participants to include active-duty personnel, first responders, and families of all the above.
Dr. Tim Walker from the James A Haley VA stepped up to co-chair the events with Dr. Joe Bohn from the USF College of Public Health. Since then, the coffee socials have grown to have over 50 attendees each month.
The mobilization strategy for the events is: MOBILIZE: Build comradery, trust, and social capital.
INQUIRE: Grow partnerships and new initiatives and local awareness of resources and services.
CONNECT: Create opportunities for access to or enrollment for services if needed.
ACT: Strengthen connections to social determinant of health resources that can reduce the risk of suicide.
Monthly events have been hosted by different provider organizations each month since the launch in September 2023, and Hope and Action events are planned through the end of 2024.
Social determinant challenges (e.g., housing, jobs, access to care, etc.) can impact veterans, first responders and activeduty personnel at all ages. These issues along with past trauma and its impact on health and wellness for our veterans takes center stage at these events.
Benefits have included new service partnering connections for providers, increased resource access and awareness for veterans in attendance, and expanded trust building between community providers and local VA health system representatives.
For more information on the Hope and Action Veterans Coffee Socials please contact Dr. Joe Bohn at or Dr. Tim Walker at timothy.walker4@va.gov.
FIREWATCH FUN & GAMES
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FireWatch CLASSIFIEDS
FireWatch magazine highlights local businesses supporting our area’s veteran community each month. Scan the QR code to learn more about each of the classified advertisers.
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