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Supporting the Military, Veterans, and their Families across The Liberty Coast
DECEMBER 30, 2020/Volume 1/Issue 11 LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM
On Base • In Town • Pro-Military
F E AT U R E A R T I C L E
CAPTAIN OF THE PORT Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville
Spotlight on a Veteran: Dr. Richard Dix Danford
10244 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32246
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7721 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
See Pages 8 & 9 For More!
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LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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Liberty Life
LIBERTY VOICES: LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
DECEMBER 30 2020//VOL.1 ISSUE 11
CONTENTS
6 Command Birthdays on The Liberty Coast 10 Cutting Edge Warriors: Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville 16 Liberty Picks 18 Spotlight on a Veteran: Dr. Richard Dix Danford, Jr. 20 Stay Grounded: VA Mobile Health Apps 22 Calendar of Events 24 News Briefs 26 Crossword Puzzle VETERAN-LED: Publisher Joe Snowberger, U. S. Navy Mustang (904) 476-7861 Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Editor Stephanie Thompson, U. S. Navy Mustang Veteran
Help us at Liberty Life SM provide relatable, relevant and useful information to the military, Veterans, and their families serving and living on The Liberty Coast SM. Liberty Life Media welcomes editorial, photographic and calendar contributions. Submit stories, events, people, milestones and military/ Veteran discount offers at
(702) 573-5506 Editor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Director of Sales Vince Ponciano, U. S. Air Force Veteran (904) 415-7800 BuzJax68@Comcast.Net
PRODUCTION: Art Director Sarah McLaughlin
www.LibertyLifeMedia.Com
ArtDirector@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Please share and recycle issues. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. 31 5th Street, Atlantic Beach, Fl 32233-5307 Copyright © Signals Publishing, Inc 2020 President•Sam Taylor•SamTaylor1342@Gmail.Com
Graphic Design Susan Jones U.S. Army Veteran Spouse Assistant Editor Courtney Stringfellow AEditor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Sr. Contributor Reuben Keith Green, U. S. Navy Veteran Staff Writer Laura Hoffman, U. S. Marine Corps Veteran Contributor Brian Bilski, U. S. Marine Corps Veteran Artist Chris Flagg, FALSA SALES: Automotive Advertising Staci Edwards
DISTRIBUTION: Want to be a Liberty Life pick-up location? Bobby Pendexter CosmicDistributions@gmail.com
Manager@AutoSourceWeekly.com
As I was preparing to set my New Year’s resolutions, I considered the usual suspects: eat better, be more physically active, get organized. Alas, such vague goals felt uninspiring. After all, it seems I think about doing these things all the time, so maybe I’m already better than I was just last year. I felt I needed to be more specific (S.M.A.R.T. goals, anyone?). But first, I wondered: what do people in other cultures typically try to resolve for themselves at the start of each year? What could I learn from them? I discovered that the number one New Year’s resolution in China is to be more family-oriented. In Japan: read more. Ireland: enjoy life more. In Canada and Sweden, people tend to want to travel more (don’t we all these days?). In Brazil, learning a new language tops the list. It was uplifting for me to read others’ resolutions. It not only gave me insight into what different cultures value, but it also encouraged me to imagine a more broad range of possibilities in my own life. My worldview has expanded—if only slightly—and I appreciate that. We at Liberty Life SM are excited about the potential of 2021. We have many plans that we look forward to bringing to life for you, dear reader. One of our resolutions is to have more two-way conversations with you. Without our readers, Liberty Life couldn’t be what it is. We’re eager to hear from you! The truth is, we want to understand and share your perspective of living on The Liberty Coast SM. With every picture you send in and the stories behind those moments, we will illustrate “a day in the life” of serving on The Liberty Coast.
Be A Part of the
What places do you frequent? Downtown Jacksonville? Amelia Island’s Pirate Park? Yulee? St. Mary’s? Driftwood Beach? What people do you meet? Your hairstylist? The grocery clerk? The gentleman drinking a coffee on that park bench? The woman walking her dog through your neighborhood?
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What surprises do you experience? I was surprised by how green it is in Florida. What good deeds or acts of kindness do you witness? Someone buying coffee for the next stranger in line at your favorite coffee shop? People holding the door open for that person that’s still a few steps from reaching the entrance? The car ahead of you offering a take-out meal to the homeless person with the sign?
to Save Your Spot in Liberty Life’s
What part of the local nature inspires you? Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens? Julington Durbin Creek Nature Preserve? Jennings State Forest?
75TH ANNIVERSARY
What art makes you look twice? Perhaps the twelve murals on the Wall of Honor, Service, and Patriotism? Is it the Amelia Seaside Sculptures?
SPECIAL
BLUE ANGELS
AIR SHOW PROGRAM March 2021 Issue Joe Snowberger
904 476-7861
Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com 04 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
Each insight you offer will bring The Liberty Coast alive for the rest of us, and THAT is our ultimate resolution!
Submit pictures to LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Submissions. On Base • In Town • Pro-Military Stephanie Thompson U. S. Navy Mustang Veteran Editor I Liberty Life Media
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CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS ON THE LIBERTY COAST SM
By Stephanie Thompson
Here at Liberty Life, we share an ongoing series about the many military and Veteran organizations that make up The Liberty Coast . The organizations we highlight may be military bases, units, or commands, or they may be Veteran-serving or Veteran-owned businesses. The common denominator is their physical location on The Liberty Coast, each playing a role in defining the culture of this pro-military and Veteran-friendly community. For previous snapshots, visit LibertyLifeMedia.com/Archives. This month, we highlight three commands on The Liberty Coast, each of which was established in January, and learn what they’ve been doing recently.
VP-5 Mad Foxes celebrates 84 years Established January 2, 1937 On November 30, 2020, two mariners were saved when Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 joined the search for their missing vessel. While deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from VP-5 located the fishing vessel that had been missing for three days near the island of Saipan. VP-5 stayed on station until a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and merchant vessel arrived to rescue the passengers. The “Mad Foxes” played a critical role in the search and rescue efforts; without them, the mariners might never have been found.
USS Shamal (PC 13) celebrates 25 years (Well, almost…) Established January 27, 1996 The Patrol Craft (PC) is responsible for coastal patrol and surveillance. On its most recent patrol, from July to September 2020, USS Shamal was involved in drug interdiction, its Sailors seizing more than 4,000 pounds of marijuana and detaining seven suspected narco traffickers. USS Shamal will be decommissioned in January, just shy of its 25th anniversary. The decommissioning ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 13. For more details, visit Facebook.com/USSShamal.
USS Wichita (LCS 13) celebrates two years Established January 12, 2019 USS Wichita is the third Navy ship to bear that name. The first served in World War II, and the second served in Vietnam. Today’s USS Wichita is still nearly brand new and not yet tried in the way of its predecessors. Most recently, however, it experienced some excitement. On November 4, 2020, Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. FOURTH Fleet, and Brig. Gen. Phillip Frietze, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, signed the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) Maritime Campaign Support Plan (MCSP) during a ceremony aboard the young ship. The MCSP is all about strengthening partnerships in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility during the next four years, and establishing what role both Sailors and Marines will play in that endeavor. If you know or are part of an organization on The Liberty Coast that others should know about, let us know! We want to share your story and introduce you to the community. Visit LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Submissions or email Editor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com to learn more. 06 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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Liberty Feature
Guard’s role in Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Maritime Safety as well as your role as a military commander, but what is the “Captain of the Port”? There are a multitude of hats I wear, but Captain of the Port is probably the broadest and the strongest of all the authorities we have to ensure the safety, security and environmental protection of the port and water waste system. It affects the offshore environment, the port itself, river systems, harbors and facilities, as well as vessel traffic. It is a set of tools that allow us to do things like apply limited access areas, safety and security zones, and establish a regulated navigation area. These are legal terms that allow me to control, slow down, or redirect vessel traffic, or to control facilities so if we have a situation we can put a safety bubble around that incident to allow responders to get in there and do what they need to do and also keep other vessels out. Captain of the Port authorities all fundamentally tie back to safety, security and environmental protection. LL: Sounds like you are a jack of all maritime assets and trades as well as the master of the area’s waterways. That is a very diverse hat collection. Which role(s) are the most prominent, given Sector Jacksonville’s make-up?
Captain Mark R. Vlaun delivers his change of command remarks as Sector Jacksonville Command Master Chief Joseph Orlando looks on.
CUTTING EDGE WARRIORS: Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville by Joe Snowberger U.S. Navy Mustang (Retired) Photos courtesy of Coast Guard
W
Leader and Partner. In addition to the Captain of the Port hat, there is the role as the Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Area Maritime Security Coordinator and Sector Jacksonville Commander, which is the senior commander of Coast Guard forces in the region. My job is far more about leadership than subject matter expertise. As a leader with a strategic and big picture view, I rely on hundreds of people to do their jobs effectively every single day. My job is to make sure they have the right tools to do it.
hile The Liberty Coast SM is often considered to be a Navy region, six of the seven military branches of service are represented here. One of Liberty Life’s missions is to share the diversity of the military assets and operations in our broad backyard.
We do everything with our partners. This is a very busy port and a large AOR. Importantly and within that, almost my entire AOR is overlapping, providing us with concurrent jurisdiction with state, local and municipal divisions. That’s a huge force multiplier.
Liberty Life SM is pleased to introduce you to Captain Mark R. Vlaun, Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of Jacksonville. He is a designated Cutterman, Judge Advocate (a military attorney) and diving officer. His turf (a.k.a. Area of Responsibility (AOR)) ranges from the Port of Canaveral to St. Marys, Georgia, with Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach in between.
We rely heavily on JAXPORT, on our state and local and city partners, almost hourly. I can’t even tell you how reliant I am everyday on Chief Powers and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue (JFRD), and Sheriff Williams and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). We work with the St. Johns Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) almost every single day for search and rescue, law enforcement and waterways management.
As you will discover, he and his 11 subordinate units with their 700 Coast Guardsmen provide very diverse services in defense of our nation, providing maritime safety, security, environmental protection and much more. We wager that many of you will experience the thought, “I didn’t know they did that.”
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred the first eyes on scene are going to be local. That helps us, through our command center, to determine what we need to bring, whether it turns into a federal case or a pollution incident. In some cases, we may have a lot going on and if I know that the JSO or JFRD is responding to an incident that happened over here, and there’s something we’re on over there, we can have a quick communication and we can go this way and they can go that way.
LL: Thank you for sharing your time and perspectives with Liberty Life. Most of our readers understand the basics of the Coast 10 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
There are a lot of great partnerships here; our federal, state and local partners are superb. I’ve never been anywhere where teamwork really was job one. The Coast Guard is very cutting edge here. We are heavily engaged in Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), space operations, JAXPORT’s deepening of the waterway, environmental regulation and facilitating greater commerce going forward. All of that probably makes us more relevant than we have ever been. LL: So, is there a “quarter jar” for saying Sector “JAX” and not “Jacksonville?” Liberty Life readers love their acronyms. It’s funny you ask. I follow the lead of my commercial entity here and as long as they are JAXPORT, I’m perfectly okay with Sector Jax. We actually use SECJAX as it fits better in our operational messages. LL: While the USCG is organized under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), can you speak to the USCG being one of the seven military branches? One of the biggest misnomers comes from there being a provision under the law in the pre-Goldwater-Nichols era where the Coast Guard can be transferred into the Navy during times of war. That happened during WWII. Today, the commandant of the USCG is both an operational commander and a military service branch chief. He operates independently in daily operations, like search and rescue and law enforcement. But, like any other military entity, we flow—as part of the joint military force—into and around other operational entities and combatant commanders. We are always a branch of the United States armed forces, by law, just wearing different colored uniforms. We don’t transition in and out ever— we are always military. We are also wearing all of our other (U.S. Authority) hats simultaneously. Most entities live in one authority, like Title 10. The USCG goes across seven or eight titled authorities, which makes us a valuable partner.
a launches successful. On top of that, we regulate all the maritime vessels that support space operations. Talk about cutting edge! SpaceEx is deploying drone ships—ships that are autonomous. The first in the world to do that kind of operation with vessels that they are landing rockets on, and we wear the regulators for that space aspect. We have the Federal On-Scene Coordinator hat, so pollution and hazardous materials and launch anomaly response is something that we own on the maritime side. We are part of the Global Search and Rescue response with the Air Force for astronaut recovery. We support the Maritime Force Protection for the strategic asset the rockets can represent, especially when some have astronauts in them. That’s five different things we do for every single space launch and it usually takes three attempts for every successful launch.
we are much in the dovery everything ““...We with ourCoast partners. era of the Guard
LL: What role does SECJAX have with regards to the space activity and launches from the Space Coast? Great question. Most people don’t realize how much maritime activities are connected to the launch and recovery operations and how heavily we’re involved in it. We actually have five different lines of effort just for space operations. We support the U.S. Space Force in Maritime Range Control. For every single launch and recovery, we have assets out there to keep people out of the way so they can make all those
““
I believe we are very much in the era of the Coast Guard to some extent, with our value to the joint world, to our Department of Defense (DoD) colleagues, within DHS and partnership with Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration (TSA); the combined DHS team that we bring to our state and local partners. We are globally deployed and very focused on supporting our DoD partners.
We have mobilized about 40 times in the last six weeks to get about ten off. That’s a lot of effort; most people do not realize how involved we are with space operations. LL: What USCG role in SECJAX are people surprised to learn about? That comes up a lot. I think that’s probably an answer that depends on the perspective of the person that we’re talking to because a lot of people [usually] deal with us in one or two lanes. They don’t realize how broad we are until an incident pops up and they react with “You do that?” A [DoD partner] will be surprised that we are the regulatory agency needed to solve a problem, or I’ll be working with the port and they will be surprised hearing about our involvement in space operations. People who work with us on LNG will be surprised we do search and rescue. We’re so broad... that’s what makes it so fun for me; the number of things that we do, that we get involved with every single day, with so many partners. I’ve never known anything other than the Coast Guard, but I don’t believe the Coast Guard has ever been more relevant or valuable to the United States than it is today. LL: You are personally very accomplished; a Cutterman, Judge Advocate, Diving Officer and Commander. Are there any influencers, principles or edicts that supported your success? For most of us in the Coast Guard, and certainly what I carried forth in this command, are our core values: honor, respect, devotion to duty. I have found that if everyone at your unit connects to and lives by those core values, you really solve a lot of problems. The concept of respect is really everything we are about in the Coast Guard, particularly as we operate and live in more diverse communities and as our organization becomes more diverse. That pinnacle of respect is what allows us to operate in the environment we operate in and successfully operate amongst ourselves. LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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Devotion to duty is critical because we have a lot of jobs, which we have talked about. I wear a lot of different hats and we do a lot of different things. I think we all are equally joined together in that drive to meet our obligations to the American taxpayers and citizens. That really brings us together in our obligation of duty and carrying out our responsibilities. Honor is a fundamental bedrock for all of us. It is our integrity and why people respect us. I always speak to, and lead, from our core values. I would add that as a federal regulator, my marquee points are to try to be uniform, consistent and transparent. As a federal regulator, military organization and law enforcement agency, that’s important because we have a lot of obligations out there in terms of the safety, security, and environmental protection of our operating environment. We have a lot of obligations with industry to safeguard the maritime community and its transportation system. We try to be uniform so that whether you arrive in Miami, New York, L.A. or Jacksonville, the rules are enforced uniformly. That allows all of our ports to remain competitive and, ultimately, we want to facilitate that commerce. We do that by having a uniform set of rules. Being uniform among the ports and then consistent in how you apply the law creates a more predictable environment for the industry which, again, really helps them facilitate commerce. We are there to make sure that it’s safe, secure and take care of the environmental aspects of it. Transparency is that if I make a decision, you know what we considered in that decision and how I got to it. That’s really what helps our industry partners understand there’s no hidden screen. Our goal is to be as transparent and as public about the process as possible. I think by being uniform, consistent and transparent, we can fulfill our role in oversight and facilitate commerce.
From a trivia standpoint and as a point of fun, one of my Naval Justice School classmates—in fact, he graduated first in our class—was then-Navy Lieutenant Ron DeSantis, now governor of Florida. Also, I think we were trying for at least three years while I was in Miami, including all kinds of bets and wagers on whether we could ever get Senator Scott on the TV camera wearing a Coast Guard hat. He was pretty true to his Navy hat and I don’t know if we ever succeeded, but that was always some fun among the staff. LL: You attended both the Navy Dive School and Navy Justice School; any observations, lessons learned or appreciation of the “other” sea service? Thanks for asking. One of the things that probably really got the trajectory of my career off on the right foot early on was Navy Dive school. When I applied to dive school coming off my first buoy tender, I had absolutely no idea what I got myself into. By about day three, I called my girlfriend—now wife—and told her I didn’t know if I was going to make it to day four; I was way in over my head. By the end of the first week I was rapidly worried about becoming the weakest one in the herd. My problem was that I just wasn’t in shape for the Special Forces program I found myself in. I was just trying to survive to the next meal. I remember I had a check-in with one of the instructors and I think he’s trying to give me a pep talk or something. I don’t remember anything he said, but I’ll never forget a poster over his head and determined to be the frog. I’ve remembered that poster [and] the concept of never giving up from the Navy Dive School. Navy training took me into [my personal] red zone and then showed me that I could go further—showing me what my human limits really were. By the time I finished that program, I was not the same person that started it. To this day, of all the things I’ve ever earned or worn in my career, my pride in my Navy Dive pin is up there at the top! I relied on what I learned from that program for the next 25 years of my career. LL: The locations you have lived have been as diverse as your military career. How is life on The Liberty Coast? We in all likelihood may stay here! It’s the friendliest military town I have ever lived in, and I have lived in some great military towns. Of all the places we have lived, we have really been enamored with the community here. My daughter loves her high school, runs cross country. My son plays hockey and is involved in Boy Scouts. This is just a fantastic community and we’ve fallen in love with it rapidly.
LL: How did you come to be in the Coast Guard and attend the Coast Guard Academy? I’m a third-generation Coast Guard officer. My great-uncle was an aviator in the Coast Guard. My father was Captain of the Port in New York and Honolulu during his career. My brother is an Air Force colonel, so he broke away, but I stayed in line. I never expected to be in this long, but I am at 27 years here. I’ve never known anything other than the Coast Guard. LL: Our pro-military readers love sea stories; will you indulge us? 12 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
My wife and I are refinancing our house this week and I think we’re going to hang on to this one. Of all the places we’ve lived, this is pretty darn close to the top of the list. In a perfect world, we would probably have something in Colorado because we love to ski, but we are really liking it here. For more information, search “Sector Jacksonville.”
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LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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Liberty Picks
JOIN US FOR THE
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CALLING ALL POSTS Polar Plunge
Join American Legion Department of Florida State Commander William “Rick” Johnson in benefitting the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. American Legion Post 137 challenges all Fifth District posts to take the plunge in the pool this winter and raise funds for the life-saving non-profit. Noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, American Legion Post 137, 5443 San Juan Ave., Lakeshore, Facebook.com/LakeshorePost137.
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THE GREAT OUTDOORS Hellcat Races
Run through scenic swamps on this loop course at the Historic Lee Field, home of the U.S. Navy’s F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft of World War II. The course is a combination of pavement and dirt roads. See website for details regarding packet pick-up. 7 a.m. (90 kilometers) & 8 a.m. (10 & 30 kilometers) Saturday, Jan. 23, Military Museum of North Florida, 1 Bunker Ave., Green Cove Springs, HellcatRace.com, $40-$90 to run, free to watch.
For everyone’s safety, masks are required inside all RVs and buildings.
For updates on the 2021 SuperShow and a complete list of Regional Shows throughout Florida
www. FRVTA . org SAVE THE DATE: SuperShow 2022 • Jan. 19-23
16 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
HOBNOB WITH VETERANS Veteran Appreciation Night
Operation New Uniform invites alumni, local Veterans, active-duty Servicemembers, and their families and supporters for an evening of mixing and mingling. Two furry friends per person are invited, but you don’t need a dog to attend. 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, BrewHound Dog Park + Bar, 1848 Kings Cir. S., Neptune Beach, Eventbrite.com, search “Veteran Appreciation Night by ONU,” free.
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Voices Of Liberty
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SPOTLIGHT ON A VETERAN: Dr. Richard Dix Danford, Jr. By Reuben Keith Green
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any residents of The Liberty Coast thank Veterans for their service, but few do so as tangibly as Dr. Richard Dix Danford, Jr: son of a Navy Veteran, father of a Marine-in-themaking, nephew of a paternal uncle who was one of the first Black Sailors to serve in a Navy submarine, and first-cousin to two relatives who succumbed to complications of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Service-to-country runs deep in the Danford family. SM
Dr. Danford continues to honor the service of Veterans to this day. As president of the Jacksonville Urban League, he coordinated with local artist and Vietnam War-era Veteran Laurence “Blinky” Walden to create a mural that inspires young people. The result—both commissioned and paid for by Dr. Danford—is twelve murals at the newly established Lavilla Center at 531 Union and Broad Streets in Downtown Jacksonville. The murals are dedicated to African-American military Veterans who served America during times of war. The dedication ceremony for the “Wall of Honor, Service, and Patriotism” was appropriately held on Veterans Day. The week after graduating from Florida A&M University, Dr. Danford received his draft notice. After training at Fort Benning and Fort Dix, he landed in Vietnam on Christmas Day, 1967. Dr. Danford served as a military policeman, escorting convoys to and from locations and dealing with Soldiers who managed to get into trouble during their tours. Following his return to ‘The World,’ he served as a captain in the Army National Guard. His service didn’t stop there. While he was an executive assistant to the president of Edward Waters College, he was selected to serve on the Veteran Administration Committee on the readjustment problems experienced by Vietnam Veterans. Dr. Danford’s service to Veterans includes the planned Jacksonville Urban League’s Veterans & Community Empowerment Center, to be located at Kings Road and Myrtle Avenue. “We cannot forget those who answered the call to serve and dedicated their lives on our behalf,” said Dr. Danford. The catalyst for this vision was his return to Vietnam in 2018, on the 50th anniversary year of his tour. “Journeying again to Vietnam, to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon),” he said, “has been transforming. I returned 50 years later to a nation that changed my life forever… I intend to honor those left behind and revitalize and encourage those at home.” The planned empowerment center is part of that pledge. The programs and services for the center include Veterans counseling, community and family research, health and wellness activities, family education, and more. Dr. Danford looks forward to the day that he can welcome his son, Richard Dix Danford III, to the empowerment center. RDDIII recently departed for basic training at Parris Island, SC, his belly full of his mother’s Thanksgiving turkey. He will be joining the United States Marine Corps Band. If you’re lucky enough to see them perform, look for the handsome tuba player.
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Reuben Keith Green is a Veteran and author of the story of his career in “Black Officer, White Navy.” Green shares the stories of military, Veterans, and their families on The Liberty Coast. If you have a story or know of someone whose story should be shared, submit it to LibertyLifeMedia.com/Submit-Stories.
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LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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STAY GROUNDED VA Mobile Health Apps Help Users Take Control of Their Health
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By Stephanie Thompson
he Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is upgrading the way they help Veterans by providing them with opportunities to be more proactive in their health care, outside of the doctor’s office.
The initiative is known as VA Mobile Health and includes numerous free applications, which are available on Android or iOS devices. The apps provide self-help, education and support after trauma. VA Mobile Health also includes companion apps, for use with a health care provider, to make treatment easier. Available apps include COVID Coach, PTSD Coach, and Insomnia Coach. “You do not need to be a Veteran or active-duty Servicemember to use the apps; we want people to know that the VA has mobile mental health apps for everyone,” said Lisa Huang, mHealth (mobile health) specialist and supervisory librarian for North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. One PTSD Coach user had this to say about his experience with the app: “I have complex PTSD from severe childhood abuse. Last night, I woke up at 1 a.m. with another serious flashback. Usually I email my therapist so I can just get it out of me and get back to sleep. Instead, I was able to use a tool on the app for relaxation. The flashback subsided, and I was able to get right back to sleep.” For those who might be hesitant to self-identify a sensitive health issue via an app, there is no cause for concern. The VA does not capture users’ personal health information (PHI)through these programs. You can get the help you need without having to wonder who might know. These days, people are living with many stressors, particularly related to having to both work and play from home. Some parents are even learning how to homeschool their children while maintaining their day jobs. The COVID Coach app is designed to help users manage stress, check their mood, and learn what steps they can take to stay healthy. “[The app] is diverse,” Huang said. “If there is abuse (child, elder, or domestic), it will link you to resources for those situations.” COVID Coach shares deep breathing exercises, indoor activities for situations with and without children, as well as resources to help users address their particular circumstances.
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One user of the COVID Coach App said, “More than COVID, it should be renamed, ‘VETERANS COACH’ or something else. It’s great for the help you need when you’re by yourself and need a break from things. It has helped me greatly.” The apps have been developed by VA mental health professionals using the best available treatment-based evidence. To make the user experience more friendly, the apps are interconnected. Each app will link users to the other mental health apps, including Mindfulness Coach and the Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS) app, designed for those coping with anger problems.
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“Mobile mental health apps do not replace treatment,” emphasized Huang. “They are used to support treatment and provide coping skills for users.” For more information, including a list of all available apps, visit Mobile.VA.gov.
LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
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Calendar
Jan. 8, Windy Harbor Golf Club, 1981 Maine St., NS Mayport, NavyMWRMayport.com, $60, base access required.
VIRTUAL PAINTING CLASS Join MWR Kings Bay for a relaxing evening of creating a succulent painting. Art Walks & Markets Must register at Tickets and Travel by Friday, Jan. 8. The link to the class will be emailed to participants the day FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Explore the Old City’s galleries after hours. 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, Downtown of. Price includes supplies, which can be picked up from Tickets and Travel on Monday, Jan. 11. Class is Tuesday, St. Augustine, ArtGalleriesOfStAugustine.com. Jan. 12, Facebook.com/MWRKingsBay, $25. FERNANDINA BEACH FARMERS MARKET PIRATES BREAKFAST Enjoy a bountiful breakfast, Located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, this crafts, and a photo booth, and meet seaworthy characters market features handmade soap, fresh produce, and more items from nearly 40 local vendors. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for a photo op. Get your tickets at Ocean Breeze by Saturdays, Amelia Island Market Place, N. Seventh St., Wed., Jan. 20. Breakfast is 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Fernandina Beach, FernandinaBeachMarketPlace.com. Jan. 23, Seaglass, 243 Baltimore St., NS Mayport, NavyMWRMayport.com, $10, base access required. RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Market is open online 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and in-person 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Veterans and Their Families 715 Riverside Ave., Riverside, RiversideAvondale.org. VIRTUAL YOGA 4 CHANGE Northeast Florida ST. MARYS COMMUNITY MARKET Discover Women Veterans’ trauma-informed yoga class is open locally-sourced produce, unique crafts and more to all women Veterans of any ability level. Those who are at this open-air market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, not already connected with the organization are invited Pavilion, 100 Osborne St., Downtown St. Marys, to reach out prior to the class. 10-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. Facebook.com, search “St. Marys Community Market,” 1 & 15; 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 & 28, Zoom.US, (912) 882-4000. Meeting ID: 928 8935 8078 (Friday classes), Meeting ID: 940 3499 5092 (Thursday classes), free. ATLANTIC BEACH ARTS MARKET Market is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 1805 Mayport Rd., Atlantic #VETERANWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR Meet fellow Beach, AtlanticBeachArtsMarket.com. job seekers, learn what some top businesses are looking ORANGE PARK FARMERS MARKET Discover more than 100 vendors, fresh food, live music, and locally-made crafts. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3 & 17, Town Hall Park, 2042 Park Ave., Orange Park, OrangeParkMarket.com.
for, and connect with hiring managers without the stress of introducing yourself booth-by-booth. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, VeteranWorks.org, free.
In Town/Online
Primitive Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 94 North Blvd. East, Macclenny, BakerCountyVeteransCouncil.org; Clay meets the first Wednesday of each month. Visit Facebook.com/VeteransCouncilofClayCountyFlorida for updates on January’s meeting; Duval meets at 7 p.m. Tues., Jan. 19, American Legion Post 137, Moon Bldg., 5443 San Juan Ave., Lakeshore, JaxVCDC.org; Nassau meets at 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 7, American Legion Post 54, 626 S. Third St., Fernandina Beach, V4VFlorida.org; St. Johns meets at 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 28.; St. Johns County Administration Bldg., 500 San Sebastián View, St. Augustine, VeteransCouncilSJC.org
THE RAT PACK The Jacksonville Symphony and guest vocalists from Broadway step into the roles of Davis,Sinatra, and Martin for a special New Year’s Eve concert. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Downtown, JaxSymphony.org, $30-$80. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT BREAKFAST The 34th annual breakfast will be held virtually for 2021. Attendees will hear from special guest Martin Luther King III and Black Voters Matter co-founders Cliff Albright and Latosha Brown. 8-9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, JaxNAACP.org, suggested $20 minimum donation.
VETERANS COUNCIL MEETINGS Baker meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, Macclenny
Holiday Happenings
FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE AT PINTZ Bring the family for two hours of x-treme bowling, pizza, and celebration. Price includes bowling lane, shoe rental, one large pizza, MLK JR. PARADE America’s Youth Inc. presents soda, hats, and noisemakers. Call (904) 270-5377 to Fernandina Beach’s annual parade celebrating the life reserve a time slot. Noon-2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The parade begins at Thursday, Dec. 31, Pinz Bowling Center, 244 Baltimore St., the Peck Center on South 10th Street and ends at the MLK NS Mayport, NavyMWRMayport.com/Events, $50 per Jr. Center on Elm Street. Monday, Jan. 18, Peck Center, family, base access required.
516 S. 10th St., Fernandina Beach, FBFL.US, free.
POST 316 NYE CELEBRATION Celebrate the new year with DJ Doug Bracey and the Post 316 family. Attendees AN EVENING WITH C.S. LEWIS Take a seat in the are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Basket of Cheer literary giant’s living room in Oxford as he recalls his tickets will be available for purchase at the event, with friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, why he almost abandoned a drawing later in the evening. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, the Narnia Chronicles, and other major events that Dec. 31, American Legion Post 316, 1127 Atlantic Blvd., shaped his life. 4 & 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; 2 p.m. Atlantic Beach, Facebook.com/ALPost316, $10.
Sunday, Jan. 31, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Terry Theater, 300 Water St., Downtown, FSCJArtistSeries.org, $72.58.
Servicemembers and Their Families SNOWBALL OPEN This tournament features extreme frosty scramble rules, which means there’s a different rule for each hole. Price includes golf fees, cart, prizes, range balls, and a BBQ buffet after. Register at the pro shop by Monday, Jan. 4. Noon-3 p.m. Friday,
GOODBYE 2020 Close out a long year with live music, a champagne toast, and more fun. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Red’s Wine Bar, 414 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, Facebook.com/RedsWineBarGCS, $10. NYE AT CASA DE VINO 57 Join local musician Jolie for an evening of celebration. Price includes free party favors and a glass of champagne at midnight. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. 9 p.m.-12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Casa de Vino 57, 57 Treasury St., St. Augustine, Facebook.com/CasaDeVino57, (904) 217-4546, $20.
22 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
Live Music Amelia Island, Fernandina
SADLER RANCH, 869 Sadler Rd., Fernandina Beach Wade B Jan. 15. Mark Willis, Bryan White, Wade Hayes Jan. 22. Blistur Jan. 29
The Beaches
BLUE JAY LISTENING ROOM, 2457 S. Third St. 3 The Band & Friends Jan. 4 & 18 GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd. Mandalla Latin Band Jan. 9 & 29. Caribe Grove Jan. 16 LYNCH’S IRISH PUB, 514 N. First St. Julia Gulia Mon.; B Sides Tue.; Chillua Wed.; Split Tones Thur.; Ryan & Darren, Doplematic Sun. MEZZA LUNA, 110 First St., Neptune Beach Trevor Tanner Dec. 31 MAVI WATERFRONT BAR & GRILL, 2309 Beach Blvd. Pinedas Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 WHISKEY JAX, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy. Boogie Freaks Dec. 31
Downtown Jacksonville
1904 MUSIC HALL, 19 Ocean St. Roosevelt Collier Trio Jan. 1; MZG, Side Trakd, Vlad Thee Inhaler Jan. 2; Toran Crush, DeeJay Capone, Jeremy Ryan, Kamai Jan. 8 FLORIDA THEATRE, 128 E. Forsyth St. The Righteous Brothers Jan. 9; Sister Hazel Jan. 16; Sinbad Jan. 2
Fleming Island, Green Cove
WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220 Yowsah Dec. 31; Travis Harden Jan. 3; Duval County Line Jan. 8; 5 O’Clock Shadow Jan. 9; Cliff Dorsey Jan. 10; Love Monkey Jan. 15 & 16; Stephen & Gabe Jan. 22; Vegas Gray Jan. 23; Lisa & the Mad Hatters Jan. 29; Boogie Freaks Jan. 30
Intracoastal, Arlington
CLIFF’S BAR & GRILL, 3033 Monument Rd. The Remains Dec. 31 JERRY’S GRILL, 13170-22 Atlantic Blvd. Jim Murdock Jan. 8; Cactus Trio Jan. 15; Sutton Girls Jan. 22
Ponte Vedra
PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL, 1050 A1A N. Raul Malo Jan. 9; Leo Kottke Jan. 14; Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, John Jorgensen Jan. 18
Riverside, Westside
MURRAY HILL THEATRE, 932 Edgewood Ave. Nicholas Ian Carter, Man Apart, Anna Benton Jan. 15 THRASHER-HORNE CENTER, 283 College Dr. Roger McGuinn Jan. 16; The Highwaymen Tribute Concert Jan. 21
St. Augustine
The AMP, 1340C A1A S. JJ Grey & Mofo, MJbaker, Eugene Snowden Jan. 15 & 16 PROHIBITION KITCHEN, 119 S. George St. The Jack Miller Trio Dec. 30; Trae Pierce & the T-Stones Dec. 31; Velvet 45 Jan. 19
San Marco, Southbank
JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave. Space Bar Taxi Co., Missippi Blues Band Jan. 2; Neverless, Free Mace Jan. 3; Cowford Town Band, Bonnie Blue, Palmettos & Pines Jan. 9; Twinspan, The Noctambulant, Eternal Odyssey Jan. 15
Southside, Baymeadows
ALHAMBRA JAX, 12000 Beach Blvd. The Donna Summer & Barry White Experience Jan. 2 VETERANS UNITED CRAFT BREWERY, 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104 The Bald Eagles Jan. 8 WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 135 Vox Dec. 31
Springfield, Northside
COPPERTOP BAR & RESTAURANT, 12405-7 N. Main St. Highway Jones Jan. 15; 1 Hot Mess Jan. 22
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News Briefs
New Home and Leader for Fleet and Family Services
Retirees Must Pay for Tricare Select or Lose Coverage in January 2021 Beginning Friday, Jan. 1, retirees enrolled in the Tricare Select program must pay a monthly enrollment fee or their health insurance will be canceled. November 20 was the last day retirees could start an allotment to ensure payment is made on time. If payment is not made before January 1, coverage will end, and you will have 180 days from your last paid-through date to request reinstatement of coverage. You Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Joseph Yanik may also have to pay for one or more months’ worth of coverage upfront while waiting for the allotment to process, if you miss the deadline. For Group A (entered service before January 1, 2018), the new enrollment fees are $150 annually for individuals and $300 for families. For Group B (entered service after January 1, 2018), the annual fees total $471 for individuals and $942 for families.
DoD’s Plan for COVID-19 Vaccinations At the time of writing, the Department of Defense was allotted 44,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, to be distributed across 16 sites. Vaccinating health care providers and others who are at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus is a priority. Two sites that have already received an initial distribution are Photo Credit: Yan Kennon, Naval Hospital Pensacola and Naval Naval Hospital Jacksonville/Released Branch Health Clinic Jacksonville. The vaccine is currently voluntary and will remain so until it is fully licensed by the FDA, at which point the DoD may make it mandatory.
Disney Discounts for Military The Armed Forces Salute at Walt Disney Resorts has been partially renewed for 2021. The 2020 ticket prices have been extended through February 14, 2021. The four-day, five-day, and six-day theme park passes are available to choose from, as well as the Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus options. Those tickets must be used by September 26, 2021. Military discount ticket prices after February 14 have not yet been announced. Disney Resort hotels are also offering discounts on a limited number of rooms. Servicemembers can get 30-40 percent off the normal rates—reservations are required. The Armed Forces Salute is available to active-duty and retired Servicemembers, Reservists and members of the National Guard. Military spouses qualify, if they present a valid and active military ID in the absence of the active or retired Servicemember. 24 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11
Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Kaylee LaRocque/Released
2020 culminated with two significant changes for the Naval Air Station Jacksonville’s Fleet and Family Services Center (FFSC). After 25 years in a 70-year old building, FFSC relocated to a newly renovated facility: Building 27 on Ranger Street at Enterprise, behind the Public Works complex. The relocation was orchestrated by FFSC’s new director, retired Navy Master Chief Ron Downs, who arrived in October. According to their website, “FFSC programs are aimed at making life in the Navy more meaningful and productive. Single people and married persons, from E-1s through Admirals, are all receiving FFSC services right now. The FFSC offers workshops (available under “Downloads”), personal finance management, ombudsman programs, new parent support, family employment assistance and much more!” While face-to-face services remain somewhat limited by the pandemic, FFSC can be reached at (904) 542-5745, or email JAXS_NAS_FamilyServiceCenter@Navy.mil.
Jacksonville Declares 125th Fighter Wing Day Mayor Lenny Curry designated January 25th, 2021, 125th Fighter Wing Day, declaring “We are proud to be home to the heroic, world-renowned 125th Fighter Wing—Home of the Thunder—that continues to execute extremely diverse mission sets across the state and around the world.” Curry encourages “all citizens to honor our heroic Citizen-Airmen and express our deep gratitude for their service and dedication.”
Photo Credit: Tech. Sgt. Shelley Gill
National Suicide Hotline Will Soon Be 9-8-8 To prevent future suicides of both civilians and Veterans, President Donald Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law on October 17 to transition the existing 10-digit National Suicide Hotline to a universal, easy-to-remember, three-digit phone number that will be both Photo Credit: A Better Way familiar and recognizable to all people in the United States. The new number: 9-8-8. The 9-8-8 crisis hotline will be fully operational and nationally available by July 2022. Anyone wishing to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline should continue using (800) 273-TALK(8255) until then.
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3. Celebrated on Jan. 14, this holiday recognizes the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which marked the end of the American Revolution and established the U.S. as an independent and sovereign state.
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4. (Abbrev.) We celebrate the life and legacy of this Civil Rights leader on the third Monday in January. 9. One of Operation Encore’s first participants, this Navy Veteran is now a recording artist. 12. (Abbrev.) Department of Labor’s new program offering a tailored curriculum for military spouses 14. New Year’s Day was not consistently celebrated on Jan. 1 until Pope Gregory XIII commissioned this astronomer to create the Gregorian calendar. 17. (Abbrev.) Each branch has this program to help Servicemembers translate their training into civilian credentials. 18. Nickname of the patrol squadron that recently helped rescue two mariners off the coast of Saipan 19. The third ship to bear its name, this young combat ship turns two on Jan. 12. 20. Became popular during the Prohibition era; also a national holiday, this day falls on the birthdays of Templeton Rye Whiskey, Al Capone, and Meryl Kerkhoff
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