FireWatch Magazine August 2023

In this Firewatch Magazine edition, we journey through the Wellness Spectrum. Wellness transcends the health space and includes many other aspects of life, including financial, spiritual, emotional, and environmental influences. We can be mentally healthy and physically unhealthy at the same time. We can be wealthy but spiritually traumatized at the same time. Our magazine focuses on messages of hope, ideas, influence, and encouragement in all areas of the Wellness Spectrum with contributions from local veterans, military spouses, and veteran supporters.

Our journey begins with Stormy Goodwin, a military spouse and mom whose family found their way through incredible loss with their military family’s help, love, and support. We hear from military spouse Dr. Rebecca Klingenschmitt, who explains that physical pain is not your enemy. Kim Kasem shares insight on food’s impact on health, and veteran Keith Pacific opens up about how medical costs keep people from necessary therapy. Chaplain Don Hinst discusses anger with God, and we hear from retired Marine Commander Beau Higgins about the loss of Travis Manion, the story behind the Travis Manion Foundation, and his thoughts on the fall of Afghanistan.

Each month we dive into the mind of Vietnam Veteran Ken Smits through his story, Without Glory; we chuckle in our Battle Briefs & War Stories segment and hear directly from Veterans on relevant topics in our Veteran Voices segment.

Firewatch Magazine always focuses on hearing from everyday veterans and sharing their challenges, successes, stories, and experiences. In addition, we turn to valuable veteran supporters to share insight, knowledge, and opportunity with our readers. Our mission is to elevate the veteran experience, and we do this as a community.

I thank our content contributors and their eagerness to honor and support the veteran community.

Sincerely,

Toni Hedstrom

Firewatch Managing Editor Eagle Island Publishing, LLC

MANAGING EDITOR

Toni Hedstrom

Editor@FIREWATCHmagazine.com

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

Stefanie Burlingame

FIREWATCH MAGAZINE

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When you have a King Kitchen System, you have a promise. A promise that you have the strongest, longest-lasting, best-built outdoor kitchen in Florida, and simply nothing else will compare.

It’s Our Turn To Defend Them!

THE VETERANS ADVENTURE NETWORK joined

hands with Gold Star Mom, Tanya Mort,

the 1st annual Anthony Muhlstadt Defender Ruck Walk to raise awareness for service member/veteran suicide prevention

at

Marines led the way for the 1st Annual Anthony Muhlstadt Defender Ruck Walk held in St. Petersburg, Florida, on June 24th, 2023. Following the Marines lead were more than 280 fellow service members, veterans, and community members who took the time to strap on their rucks and head out on a blistering 5k walk to raise funds for the Stop Soldier Suicide organization. The start and finish lines were located at Gateway Baptist Church. While the ruckers were on their journey, Right Way Elevator Maintenance was busy grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry crowd. Inside VAN’s Veterans’ Village, VAN Members and event sponsors stood up their tents and tables with gifts, water, and cooling rags for the returning participants.

Through sponsorship, donations, ticket sales, and raffles, the

OVER $22,000 RAISED FOR

organizers raised more than $22,000 for the Stop Soldier Suicide organization with plans to continue the awareness effort throughout the year.

“Plans are already underway for the 2024 Anthony Muhlstadt Defender Ruck Walk,” says Gold Start Mom Tanya Mort, mother of SGT Anthony Muhlstadt, who lost his life to suicide in 2021.

Toni Hedstrom of VAN (Veteran Approved Network) said, “This is an ongoing fight for awareness and prevention. We will never stop our efforts to involve the community and stand together to find a resolution for our service members and veterans.”

Guests at the event included Florida State Senator Jay Collins.

“Ultimately, we all bled the same, we all chewed the same dirt, we all served this great nation,” Collins said.

To lose someone you love to suicide is an unimaginable pain. You are left to question every moment of your life with that person, constantly wondering why you didn’t see the signs, couldn’t help, and thought there was something you should have done. You carry deep sadness, anger, and pain with you as you try to accept the sun’s rising each day of your life. Why does the sun rise? Why does the world continue to turn like nothing has happened? This has happened. I have lost my loved one, my loved one is gone, and I don’t understand why.

For the family of SGT Anthony Muhlstadt, these questions remain, now and forever. They will never know the why, but their love and dedication to honor Anthony will carry them through. Anthony, described as a “Defender,” someone who always stood up for the underdog, deserves us to stand up for him now. To come together as a community to raise awareness for suicide prevention in his memory.

SGT Anthony P. Muhlstadt, born June 26, 1998, died on November 19, 2021, while proudly serving his country.

call 844-907-1338

WELLNESS

What encompasses the human mind and spirit? Can we be physically fit but still depressed? Can we have plenty of money but still feel empty and alone? Can we feel grateful and guilty at the same time? Within the wellness spectrum, each aspect relies on the others, like a wall held up with boards and nails. Remove the nails, and the boards become weak. Remove the boards, and the wall will fall.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.”1

This active pursuit begins at birth when we depend on our caregivers to expose us to healthy experiences, food, and environments. In childhood and adolescence, we are exposed to social structures and embrace acceptance or suffer rejection. As adults, we are overwhelmed with responsibility. Through each stage of life, and without careful consideration, our walls become weak and fall.

Why is it so hard to balance it all?

In a recent article by Jessica Stillman, Contributor, INC.com, she writes, “....wellness often becomes just another time and money intensive obligation, something else to add to our to-do lists.”

We could start with a small wall, tiny boards, and little nails. Accept that we are human, make mistakes, have regrets, and sometimes have to start over on Monday.

1 Global Wellness Institute (2023, April 29).

What is Wellness? www.globalwellnessintitute.org

SPECTRUM

Finding Hope & Purpose

BY STORMY GOODWIN,

THE VISION FOR PEEPING MOMS

On my 35th birthday the idea for Peeping Moms was born. My husband suggested I open “one of those baby ultrasound places.” That lit the spark.

That was in January of 2021, and we opened our doors in April that same year. Even though there is a lot of competition in my business throughout Tampa, what sets me apart is that I am an actual sonographer capable of being more intuned with our work’s technical and diagnostic aspects. Most places like ours don’t employ an actual Sonographer.

A person’s visit to Peeping Moms is meant to be fun and exciting. Sometimes, there is anxiety and stress involved, mainly regarding pregnancy confirmations. We deal with many anxious moms because they cannot get into local clinics promptly. They come into our Boutique as early as five or six weeks pregnant to see if there is a gestational sac and a heartbeat. Most of them hope for a viable pregnancy, and sometimes it’s not, so we refer them back to their Obstetrician. We try to deal with those situations as tactfully, respectfully, and empathetically as possible.

We see so much in our Boutique. Our Photographer is a surrogate right now. She has two beautiful girls of her own, and now she is blessing another family with a child. We see families of a variety of dynamics.

THROUGH HEARTBREAK

I come from a family that has experienced loss. My husband and I lost our oldest daughter, Skyler. Our second daughter, Phoenix, was conceived shortly after Skyler’s passing. Phoenix is our Rainbow Baby, and that little girl saved my life. We have a sign on our wall here at the Boutique that commemorates the families that have lost a child. It’s so unfortunate, but it happens.

I believe the experience my family has gone through makes me a better technologist and person. I would never wish those experiences on anyone, but it does help me to understand what someone is going

through. I can guide them the best I can through that because I can relate to them and help them know what is happening.

One of the biggest things about Peeping Moms is that we don’t want just to be a place where families come to take pictures or have ultrasounds. I love being a community resource and a stepping stone for our families. We can bring people together and point them in the right direction by giving them resources and connections. I love giving back. We were given so much with Skyler.

OUR MILITARY FAMILY

We were at Barksdale Air Force Base when Skyler was born, and we figured out quickly she had special needs. The military community rallied around us to help us with fundraising for her. There was one treatment we could get her into: a Stem Cell treatment in China. Our military family helped us. The Barksdale paper did a whole story on us. They all helped us fundraise. There was such an outpouring of love from all of them.

In the middle of all that, we were PCS’d to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and all over again, we were surrounded by the love and support of military families who stepped up to help us get to the point we could make the trip to China for stem cell treatment. In the back of my mind, that goodness is always there, and it compels me to pay it forward.

When we moved here in 2017, I was pregnant with Phoenix, my six-year-old. I didn’t know anyone. When other military families move to this area, they can come to Peeping Moms for our services and find other resources, groups, and expectant moms going through the same things.

We want to do more in the community, such as childbirth education, newborn care, car seat safety, CPR classes, and a veteran-owned birthing center. We have big dreams. We would love to see Tricare cover Midwifery, and female service members and military spouses deserve that option in an out-of-clinic location.

A MILITARY SPOUSE AND MOM WHO HAS TRANSFORMED THE PREBIRTH EXPERIENCE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES.

My husband is in his eighteenth year of military service. We have a couple of years left until he retires. I am a little scared, to be honest. Our sixteenth wedding anniversary was in April. For our entire marriage, we have always had somebody telling us where we needed to live, where we needed to be, and what to do. Now, in just a few short years, we will be off that tether with the ability to decide for ourselves. Who knows what we will do?

We dream of opening a Birthing Center. I have never experienced birth other than mine, which will be amazing. To be part of that joyous occasion and provide an incredible birthing experience will be incredibly rewarding. The common birthing experience is so medical, you are rushed in and out, and we lose sight of our bodies doing something so beautiful. Midwifery offers a more holistic and personal approach.

There is a place in Valrico called Bump to Baby, a maternity and baby boutique. We are currently in the works of collaborating to create a destination for expectant families. The building would be half retail and half clinic, and we would also have our photography studio there. I would love to have a big open space for photography and events. We are currently looking for a location. Ideally, it would be 5,000 or more square feet with a separate, private entrance for the new Midwife and

Birthing Center. Someday, I would love to incorporate weddings into our services, providing another opportunity to be part of those magical moments in life.

Right now, maintaining a balance between work life and home life is a challenge. My husband and I have a three-year-old and a six-year-old. Our daughters are still very young and impressionable. So, balancing running a new business with ensuring we have enough family time is challenging. All I do is eat, work, and sleep. It is essential to keep ourselves healthy and well to be the best version of ourselves to others we want to serve.

Everything seems rushed with fast food, fast driving, running late, car lines, etc. Life stressors even impact our six-year-old, who is in 1st grade. The amount of expectation and work she is doing right now is day and night compared to when I was in 1st grade. My six-year-old has homework. She is taking Spanish, Art, and Introduction to Computers. We have nightly reading assignments and a homework grid that must be turned in to the teacher each week. I worry about the stress we put our children under. All of the pressure put on kids these days as they are brought up in a hurry, hurry, environment with no time to rest or have fun.

Veterans deal with this all of the time in the clinical realm.

While working for a local hospital as a sonographer, I was once assaulted by a patient. I was 12 weeks pregnant then, and the hospital’s human resource person told me it was my choice to file charges. It was a felony assault, and I didn’t ask for that to happen to me. That experience is the deep-down story about Peeping Moms.

That happened to me in May of 2019. I was almost eight months pregnant when we went to court. Court took place Monday through Friday. I had to work Monday through Friday. I told my boss I had been subpoenaed to testify, and they didn’t want to give me the time off of work. They wanted me to use my personal time even though it was a work-related incident. That left an unsavory taste in my mouth for that institution. This offender changed my career trajectory and made me think about being in a place I felt completely safe. I felt unsafe, and my employer did not support or protect me by implementing security measures. No one at that facility wanted to talk to me about what had happened to me.

Modern healthcare is not personal anymore. It is big business concentrated on profitability. It’s heartbreaking because you would think that most people go into the healthcare field to help people and provide personal care, and it’s just not about that anymore.

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES PRECIOUS TIME

As somebody who has lost one of the most important people in their lives, my firstborn child, I’ve realized how precious time is. Time is a currency that cannot be created or purchased. Out of everything in this world, it is the purest thing. You can only take advantage of what is going on in a moment. Once that moment is done, it is gone. So, when veterans sit in waiting rooms for two or three hours, some even longer, they cannot regain those moments. Often these veterans are under duress, stressed out, worried, and anxious. The clinical experience is just feeding into more of what their original problem is. When they finally see a physician, they are prescribed drugs and told to attend a class. It is impersonal and unproductive.

Bad Monkey Ybor

Named 1916 for the 1916 Irish Revolution, also known as Easter Rebellion, which was launched to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic. Well, we know a little bit about fighting the British for Independence. . Toast to you!

The Bad Monkey Bar is dedicated to those who serve their country and community. You will know you are at the right place when you see six full-sized 105 mm howitzer shells sitting on the bar with craft beer taps sticking out of them! The Bad Monkey is veteran owned and a real kick ass place to let loose in the heart of Ybor.

The Bad Monkey is always ready to party!

VETERANS ADVENTURE NETWORK, INC.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ACTION TAMPA?

We are the Veterans Adventure Network, and our mission is to empower the American Veteran through social support and community connection. We don’t do this in a stuffy old meeting room. No sir.

Catch a local VAN Premier Event! Proceeds from all VAN events support non-profit organizations that are doing the hard work for veterans, service members, and their families. Follow the VAN website and social accounts for events near you! Through community support, corporate sponsorship, and friendly donations, VAN continues to offer many FREE Events throughout Tampa Bay for Veterans and their families.

2023 Premier Events

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • AL LOPEZ PARK – TAMPA

9/11 MEMORIAL PRESENTATION FREE EVENT!

VAN is teaming up with Learn & Serve Tampa Bay, area American Legion Posts, and area VFW Posts to present a breathtaking 9/11 Memorial to honor all who lost their lives on September 11. Be present as VFW and American Legion Riders give a ‘Finale Mile Escort’ to honor all who were lost.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • AL LOPEZ PARK - TAMPA

TMF 9/11 HEROES RUN

Be a part of something big, TAMPA! VAN is proud to host the first Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run in TAMPA! The Travis Manion Foundation has a mission we believe in and are so proud to be a part of. “If Not Me, Then Who?’ This event features a 5K Run, 5K Ruck, 10K Run, and a 1-Mile Fun Run. There will be a concert, vendors, food trucks, and more! You don’t want to miss this!

OCTOBER 24, 2023

VAN DAY ON THE FARM AT OLD MCMICKEY’S FARM

FREE VETERAN EVENT!

Join the VAN Team at McMickey’s Farm in Odessa, where we will enjoy a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, trail rides, a petting zoo, food, treats, prizes, and more, all free for Veterans and their families!

NOVEMBER 11, 2023 • ANCLOTE GULF PARK

VET DAY 5K TRAIL RUN

Not for the weary! This challenging trail run will test your limits with hills and valleys and incredible views.

SELF CARE

with Rebecca Klingenschmitt Active Solutions Rehab and Wellness

On an airplane, they tell you to put your mask on first before trying to assist anyone else. They ask you to do this because if you can’t help yourself, you cannot help others. Instinct pushes us to help others, often to the detriment of our own mind and body. For new parents, this can be especially true. Military spouse Rebecca Klingenschmitt, a licensed physical therapist in Tampa, Florida, shares her plan to “save herself” after the birth of her first child this summer.

#1

FIND those moments you can take for yourself, even briefly. You don’t have to go on an hour-long walk; take 10 or 15 minutes to focus on stretching, breathing, and maybe even jogging in place.

GO ONLINE. There is so much out there on the internet right now. I like exercise-wise. Let’s say you enjoy Yoga. There are all kinds of Yoga practices and free instruction videos on the internet, especially YouTube, Apple TV, and other sites. Just get your body moving. #3

#2

WAKE UP. With toddlers, it can be trickier. I know moms who force themselves to wake up before their kids to get a little time. Wake up thirty minutes before your children do, and just be you.

Can you devote five minutes per day, every single day? Or, at least, most days of the week? The American Academy of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (with heart rate elevated). You can break that up into little chunks. Thirty minutes at a time may be daunting, so do five or ten minutes at a time instead. When you break it up, ten minutes, three times per day, isn’t so bad.

#4

Navigating Tampa Bay K-12 Education WITH A MILITARY-CONNECTED CHILD

My first teaching assignment in a Florida school was a popular destination for the final PCS before retirement. Hence, I watched many military-connected students settle into a permanent school situation for the first time after multiple moves.

Although not a military-related relocation, my 2006 move to Tampa had me searching for the best schools, and we ended up in that same popular destination. As a teacher, and having watching my two sons cope with change, I wanted to ensure all new students got a warm welcome. It was the only school change they ever experienced. On average, military personnel experience a PCS every 2.5 years. Change is the norm for the military-connected child. However, veterans can finally stay put once discharged or retired if they find the right fit for their kids. This article is intended for veterans coming to the greater Tampa Bay area with militaryconnected school-aged children looking for the best educational opportunities.

Education in Florida has experienced significant changes in the past year. The 2023 Florida legislative session resulted in laws designed by lawmakers to expand

educational choice and support schools by eliminating rules. There are also changes in teacher certification requirements. In short, parents can move students into charter, private, and home education using public funds if it best suits the child. These options are connected to scholarships, and the best tool available to learn more is StepUpForStudents.org. This website provides a very user-friendly version of Florida’s school choice options, including public, private, charter, and home education. If you prefer, you can also visit the school choice section of the Florida DOE website.

As a parent, you probably want to know what all this means to you and your child. Well, it means you have options.

First, explore your local public schools, as most are wonderful institutions with excellent teachers and strong community connections. If you have already picked a new home and proximity is important, go to the Florida DOE website and use the mapping tool. Tampa Bay actually connects several gulf coast counties, but there are three public school districts in the VAN footprint:

Dr. Kristy Verdi, Executive Director, Learn and Serve Tampa Inc.

Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco. All three districts have their own mapping tools on their websites. The Florida DOE website also shows school grades, but note that school grade criteria have significantly changed and should never be your sole indicator. You can learn more about school accountability from the DOE website as well.

The great news for veterans and their children is that Florida initiated a Purple Star School of Distinction program in 2021, joining 38 states who have established a Purple Star School Program. The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges, and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. Purple Star Schools must have a designated point-of-contact for military families, maintain a dedicated resource webpage, establish a student-led transition program, and provide professional development for staff regarding military-connected students. They must also have plans to fast-track the ESE IEP process and allow for lateterm school choice applications. Pasco and Pinellas do not currently have any Purple Star Schools. Hillsborough County has nine district schools and one charter school.

Additionally, Military Family Life Counselors are at nineteen schools in Hillsborough County. While these counselors serve active duty dependents primarily, veterans know that the school is in tune with the unique concerns of the military-connected child. Hillsborough also has a District Military Liaison, Ms. Kim Sukach, in

the Department of Strategic Planning and Partnerships. Ms. Sukachs works diligently to ensure military-connected students have timely and appropriate access to education resources via the district website. She also assists schools with personalizing these resources for their student populations.

Whether active-duty, veteran, or civilian, the School Liaison Office can assist you if you work at MacDill Air Force Base. Even if you are not working on the base, the liaison website offers an amazing newsletter filled with great resources.

Are you looking for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)? While many states still do not offer universal free VPK, Florida, fortunately, meets the benchmark for free universal Pre-K education with more than 70 percent of 4-year-olds enrolled. To find a high-quality program in your area, visit the Gold Seal Quality Care Program website. The challenge in popular locations is space. If you need additional support, contact the Early Learning Coalition in your county. They may be able to help you find that elusive seat in a high-quality VPK.

One last note before school begins: all parents need to be aware of changes to the school lunch policy. During COVID, school lunch was free for all students, but that was rolled back last year.

Students will still receive free breakfast, but lunch will return to the pre-COVID free-and-reduced lunch format. Learn more about the requirements and make sure you complete your application before school begins.

The bottom line is that the best way to find the right school is to schedule a tour and see it for yourself! Talk to the administration, the teachers, and parents of current and past students. Every child is unique, and finding the right fit for you and your family might require extra time, but it will be worth it in the long run.

K-12 EDUCATION WEBSITES

- Florida Department of Education

https://fldoe.org

- Hillsborough County Public Schools

https://hillsboroughschools.org

- Pasco County Public Schools

https://pasco.k12.fl.us

- Pinellas County Schools

https://pcsb.org

- Step Up For Students

https://stepupforstudents.org

- MacDill Force Support Squadron

https://macdillfss.com/school-liaison

ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES

tinyurl.com/eyb6x274

www.hillsboroughschools.org/militaryfamilies

edudata.fldoe.org/ReportCards/Mapping.html

www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades www.stepupforstudents.org

www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/fes macdillfss.com/school-liaison-officer

www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/parents/gold-seal.stml www.elchc.org

freeschoolmealsfl.com

URE THE POWER OF NAT URE

How much stress are you under? With work, bills, traffic, and deadlines on your shoulders, finding a way to disconnect to reconnect is more crucial than you think for health and wellness.

Some of us are guilty of going brainless in front of the TV with a tray full of snacks. The impact of these harmful habits is evident in Harvard University’s report on Adult Obesity Trends, where they claim two out of three U.S. adults are overweight or obese, totalling 69 percent of all Americans. The obesity rate in America continues to grow, especially among children, with more time spent indoors on computers and social media. The good news is, your local county parks offer incredible guided programs to help you get the most out of a healthy park visit.

Pasco Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources offer an Outdoor Adventure Series providing a perfect excuse to spend the day at a local park. Now, with the collaboration between VAN (Veterans Adventure Network) and Pasco Parks, veterans and their families can enjoy a summer full of park adventures for FREE through the RECreate Your Mind Military Series.

The RECreate Your Mind Military Series will provide

opportunities to bike and hike within Jay B. Starkey Park (bicycles provided), fish in the Gulf at Anclote Park (rods and reels provided), swim, kayak, and snorkel at a private white sand beach at Sunwest Park, and test your skills at archery and paintball in the Withlacoochee Wilderness Park.

April was All Abilities Month at Pasco Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources which celebrated adaptive sports and autism awareness with programs like AUT2Move, a month-long virtual movement challenge designed to bring understanding and acceptance to individuals with autism. Participants who completed 42 virtual miles received a customized medal. There were also tennis classes, the EPIC Egg Hunt, Anglers Fishing Frenzy, and more. These April programs are designed to provide specialized instruction for youth on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

Throughout May, Pasco Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources will foced on programming to promote self-care with events that included kitten yoga, puppy meditation, and pickleball tournaments. Who doesn’t love spending time in parks? There is something so regenerative about greenery and fresh air. Whether going for a walk, having a picnic, or just relaxing on a bench, parks are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature. Plus, they’re a great way to stay active and social! Pasco County has 23 active and 14 passive parks, with many recreational programs and events throughout the year, so great options are always available.

If you are looking for motivation to get up and get going, you can turn to your friends at VAN. We are a collection of like-minded people, veterans, and business owners who want to explore and experience local parks with you. Sign up today for one or all of this year’s RECreate Your Mind Military Series events.

OF THE HISTORY

To learn more about The American Legion and its history, Google “The American Legion: a Brief History,” or visit www.legion.org/history for more of the story.

The battle had ended, and all across the field lay the dead and the dying. The survivors set their eyes on the field, overwhelmed by the devastation and loss. One Soldier exclaimed, “All of these men have families. How will they cope? Who will take care of them?”

Through that moment of loss and despair, the American Legion was formed.

The year was 1919, and the losses of that battle compelled 20 officers serving in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to found the Legion. It began with a tasking when these 20 officers were asked to suggest ideas to improve troop morale. What was needed, they thought, was a way to organize veterans at home in the U.S. and support those families whose loved ones had paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The first organizing meeting occurred in Paris in 1919, where 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended the Paris Caucus and adopted the temporary constitution and the name, The American Legion. Congress granted the Legion a national charter in September of that year. Delegates also voted to locate the Legion’s national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The American Legion remains the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs. The Legion advocates patriotism, honor, and the promotion of strong national security through veteran affairs and rehabilitation, Americanism, and America’s children and youth. One-hundred years later, the Legion

remains devoted to fellow service members and veterans, with over 2.5 million members and 13,000 posts nationwide.

The American Legion values its independence and effectiveness on veterans’ issues and maintains neutrality on all political candidates and parties. The Legion is comprehensive, embracing all religions, faiths, and denominations within its ranks. The chaplaincy, being non-denominational and non-sectarian, wishes to minister to the spiritual needs of all without regard to either affiliation or non-affiliation. The Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure new generations never forget them. The American Legion’s motto is: “Veterans Strengthening America”.

The Legion remains steadfastly dedicated to honor those who came before us.

Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social

AMERICAN LEGION

change in America, has won hundreds of benefits for veterans, and has produced many important programs for children and youth. Accomplishments of the Legion include the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, the forerunner of the Veterans Administration, the drafting of the first Flag Code in 1923, and the first drafting of the G.I. Bill of Rights.

The Legion remains steadfastly dedicated to HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

“VETERANS STRENGTHENING AMERICA”

Children

Kim Kasem, Pride Strength Training

for Kids

Children are blasted with social influences on a level adults can’t even imagine. In a world of photo edits and filters, young people are exposed to unrealistic images and expectations about their self and their bodies. Many young adults and adolescents suffer from self-hatred and destruction through eating disorders and fear of food.

At Pride Strength Training in Tampa, Owner Kim Kasem has a way to touch these kids’ lives by offering them someone to talk to and a program to help them learn to live healthy and happy naturally. Removed are any references to “body fat”. Instead, Kim teaches them how to be healthy through food education and activity. Kim focuses on children around age ten and offers them education on mobility and strength. Kim’s programs focus on using their own body to build their body with examples and instruction.

“I talk to them a lot about food; how food is fuel, and how food is something that we need,” Kim says, “Especially in this day and age with all the social media causing many young females to compare themselves to Victoria Secret models, I spend a lot of time talking to them about these things.”

Kim wants Pride Strength Training to be where young people can learn a healthy mindset. Especially since health classes and PE classes are now absent in schools.

A healthy lifestyle starts in childhood. It’s been proven that children are like sponges and absorb the actions of those in their surroundings, meaning their parents and extended family. If a typical day for the adults in the family is work, then couch, it is more likely the child will grow up following this example.

There is no denying that social media engagement lacks calorieburning attributes. So here may be the trade-off: ask your kids or grandkids to give you five minutes of activity for every five minutes they spend online. A thirty-minute walk could equal thirty minutes of game or social media time. This trade-off can work with chores as well. Need someone to clean up their room? How about monetizing making the bed and picking up dirty clothes? These duties can earn screen time too.

Our little floating rock. The only one we’ve got. Taking on a global environmental mission may be a bit much, but what about a neighborhood clean-up committee?

SPIRITUALITY ON THE SPECTRUM

PRAYER

When negative things happen in our lives, we wonder if God really cares. Why doesn’t He intervene to protect good people? We are left to wonder how we can trust Him. The truth is God didn’t create evil. Our bad experiences are not personal attacks from God but rather the result of evil and unfairness in the world. God Loves You.

When a family loses a loved one, a typical response is, “It was God’s Will.” What a terrible thing to say! The idea that God wills bad things on His people is wrong. Nothing is more important to our Creator than for everyone to have as much happiness and fulfillment as possible. When bad things happen, God feels our pain, is very present, and works to bring out the best in bad situations. We must remember that God has a different purpose. His goal is not to comfort us in this world but instead look to our eternal welfare.

It is difficult to sense God’s presence in a crisis and work to bring good to a bad situation. Looking back, we can often see God’s hand at work.

I Remember 9/11’s horrible acts of terrorism. These acts were far from God’s will, yet they were horribly committed in God’s name. But, we find God in the love and charity that poured out of so many people in the United States and worldwide after that day. In the days following 9/11, extraordinary acts of love and kindness changed many of us forever.

God didn’t make these terrorist acts happen. He also never abandoned us.

There is an invisible and gentle current in our lives that can peacefully carry us to eternal life. It is always there, ready for when we are prepared to accept it by placing our trust in our Heavenly Father. We choose to believe this, accept it, and freely embrace it.

from AshleyTreatment.org

Prayer is talking to God, the universe, nature, or whatever is out there. It is a one-way conversation between you and your Higher Power.

CONNECTING WITH NATURE

God is under every rock, as light; He is everywhere. Connecting with nature is a spiritual practice that can bring peace and allow you to be in the “now.”

YOGA

Connecting your mind with body and spirit through yoga allows calmness and stillness to release you from the manics of life.

ATTENDING A SPIRITUAL OR RELIGIOUS SERVICE

To fellowship with like-minded people and worship in honor of your spirituality. To believe in and worship the God of your understanding.

MEDITATION

ANGRY WITH GOD? 5 TYPES OF SPIRITUALITY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Regular meditation quiets mental chatter. It boosts mood, reduces stress and anxiety, promotes restful sleep, and is a natural pain killer. There is no wrong way to meditate.

UNDERSTANDING MORAL INJURY

According to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Association, moral injury is when one feels they have violated their conscience or moral compass when taking part in, witnessing, or failing to prevent an act that is contrary to their own moral values or personal principles. A physical injury can be seen, acknowledged, and treated, but a moral injury is hidden within the affected person’s mind, soul, and heart.

What have you seen? What have you done? Do feelings of guilt or shame haunt you?

You are not alone.

chaplain@americanlegionpost108.org

You are a person of belief and compassion, making what you have been through challenging. Take a moment to close your eyes and listen to your pain. Acknowledge the experience and its impact on your value system. Choose to share what you have been through with others who have had similar experiences and find that you are not alone. Find forgiveness for yourself, and be compassionate toward yourself. Self-harm or loathing will not change what has happened. Instead, take action to reconnect with your values through volunteer work, activism, or mentorship for others who suffer.

KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE OF THE VETERANS IN YOUR FAMILY HISTORY.

Chaplain Don Hinst, American Legion 15 th Dist. FL

VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

BY: TONI HEDSTROM

Welcome Home

The plane touches down to crowds waving flags and banners. Shouts of “Welcome Home!” and “Thank You for Your Service!” are directed at American heroes as they come home. No one imagines those heroes being at risk of living on the streets. But, it happens, and at an alarming rate. The percentage of Americans who take the oath and join the service is just 7 percent, but the percentage of the homeless population that are veterans is almost 13 percent.

Who is to Blame

There isn’t one person, government, parent, or entity to blame for homelessness. Homelessness results from many misfortunes, sometimes only temporary, and sometimes a state that is difficult to escape. The reasons a veteran becomes homeless are not unlike the homeless population in general. Lack of employment, lack of affordable housing, inability to access resources, mental health issues, and substance abuse issues.

Imagine This

It is all connected. Each path that leads to homelessness can start with one—just one thing that leads a person down a road of despair. It doesn’t matter what that first thing is. No matter what issue needs to be addressed, without a home to start with, a place to get dressed in the morning, shower, have a meal, and lay your head, you cannot easily do battle with and recover from the other things.

• STAND DOWN (STANDOWN.ORG)

• FAMILY PROMISE OF BIG BEND (FAMILYPROMISEBIGBEND.ORG

• MERIDIAN (MBHCI.ORG)

• TREASURE COAST HOMELESS SERVICES COUNCIL (TCHELPSPOT.ORG)

• OPERATION SACRED TRUST (411VETERANS.COM)

• ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (SVDPSP.ORG)

• HOMELESS SERVICES NETWORK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (HSNCFL.ORG)

• VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA - FLORIDA (VOAFLORIDA.ORG)

SSVF GRANT RECIPIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN FUNDED TO HELP FLORIDA VETERANS

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Housing First & Veteran Homelessness

Step one always lies with the person in need of change. They must reach out for help, and thankfully, they can now find it through comprehensive programs using the Housing First Initiative. For those who may be apprehensive about asking for help, it is up to our community to remove the stigmas and provide a more straightforward path to available resources.

Housing First Initiative

The Housing First program originated by Dr. Sam Tsemberis, founder of Pathways to Housing, Inc., who recognized that before anything else can be addressed in a person’s life, they must have a home. Before, homelessness was treated as a “let’s make a deal” concept. If you go to counseling or rehab, if you do this, or you do that, we will get you into a home. Dr. Tsemberis found that persons discharged from hospitals and clinics back onto the streets suffered more and caused distrust and disillusionment.

Talk Avout SSVF

SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) is available to very low-income veterans and serves them by providing case management and supportive services to prevent the loss of a veteran’s home. If a veteran has already become homeless, SSVF assists in finding suitable housing for them and their families or rapidly re-houses them and their families. The SSVF program is funded by grants issued by the Veterans Administration to local non-profit organizations that work directly in the fight against homelessness.

ACTIVE SOLUTIONS REHAB & WELLNESS

a cOnVeRsAtIoN wiTh

ReBeCcA KlInGeNsChMiTt

Doctor of Physical Therapy Rebecca Klingenschmitt, wants to share a road to health; a place in your life where you can be active and happy. We spoke with Rebecca at her clinic in Tampa, located inside the Put Bull Fitness Center, to find out about her journey and mission for health.

“When I first got out of school, I worked at a bustling clinic and found myself getting burnt out within the first year. I was expected to see 12 to 15 patients per day. By the end of the first year, I was exhausted and thinking about how I had just spent seven years in school to do this. It was very unfulfilling.

“I started looking around and found others who had started their own businesses, seeing patients one-on-one. They were happy not dealing with insurance and all of that red tape. At that time, I had only been out of school for about a year, so I didn’t feel ready to jump out there on my own. I changed jobs only to find more of the same. Then, I changed jobs again. It was a little better—but really, more of the same.”

Through this unfulfillment, Rebecca knew there was another way to serve the community in the field she loved. After moving with her husband to Tampa Bay in October 2020, she started her own business. Her research began even before the move.

“I started doing some stuff on Instagram, hoping to make a few connections. My husband attended high school here, so we had a few friends already.”

Rebecca started her business in January 2021 as a mobile therapist, and she would constantly reach out to different people and groups.

“I began establishing business relationships with psychologists, some direct care physicians, chiropractors, and the fitness community. I met with various personal trainers, massage therapists, gym owners, etc., just trying to make connections. It was pretty slow moving,” Rebecca says.

By August 2022, Rebecca was able to move into her new location inside Pit Bull Fitness.

“I felt I was starting over again, in a sense. The patients I had been seeing as a mobile practitioner finished up their care plans. They were spread out everywhere, so many didn’t want to drive to my new physical location.”

Since moving into her new location, Rebecca has focused on doing workshops and having and attending events to create a presence in the community. You can find Rebecca and her team at the First Friday Block Party held monthly at the Westchase Town Center.

“The main challenge with my type of business is that we don’t accept insurance. I can network with other physicians, but most healthcare is in the ‘network.’ When you meet physicians in the network, their patients are likely to expect to use their insurance. It’s tough to get people to change their mindset about insurance. I try to help people understand their bodies are an investment.”

Coming out of the military with an injury has turned the lives of many from active and healthy to sedentary. Without a personal trainer

to identify specific needs, a person can be lost in the system with prescription pills to remember the pain. In an effort to stop masking the pain with prescription meds, we asked Rebecca her thoughts on exercise through pain.

“Pain has a really bad rap in general, and it’s scary when you have pain or an injury. People stop moving because they are afraid they will make something worse. The one thing to do first is to start changing the way you think about pain,” Rebecca says , “If you are having chronic shoulder pain, for example, there’s probably a lot of things you can do that are okay. Maybe you have some pain while doing these moves, but it doesn’t get any worse when you stop the movement. You must always proceed cautiously and listen to your body, but pain does not always mean you are damaging something. There is a saying I love, ‘Hurt does not Equal Harm. Pain doesn’t always equal damage.’”

StARTiNG POiNt

Rebecca has her patients begin an aerobic exercise regimen when dealing with chronic pain. Her goal is to start with something that does not increase their pain. Based on the patient’s experience, for example, with a back injury, there may be more pain when walking, so she will choose a recumbent bike instead of a treadmill.

CoMMItMeNt iN SMAlL BiTeS

Once Rebecca has identified suitable movements, she will ask her patients if they can commit to five minutes daily and then build on that.

“I know there is the mindset to go hard the first time, especially people who are in the military, but I like to tell people when you’re dealing with chronic pain, and you’re trying to get back into some exercise program, start with some aerobic exercise and then build up from that. Don’t get yourself to a point where you cannot work out because you did an hour of biking after not biking in five years. Even though you feel you could do more, you should stop. I know it is hard sometimes for people to change their mindset on those things, but it can be tricky when dealing with pain, especially chronic pain.”

GeTtInG StRoNG

There is another phrase that Rebecca lives by, “You can’t go wrong getting strong.” Rebecca says, “Getting strong and strengthening helps with many conditions.”

She understands there are some situations where people have chronic back pain and have been doing tons of core work for years and still have pain.

“This is an indicator that there is something we are missing and need to identify for a successful program,” she explains.

Living a Life

Where You Can Move Without

CHRONIC PaIn

MaStERInG PaIn

It is known that upwards of 70to-80 percent of people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Generalizing a program for back pain is tough since everyone’s situation is different.

“Physical Therapists are trained to identify things that are contraindications for therapy and can identify red flags that may indicate the need for an X-RAY or MRI.” Rebecca says , “In the majority of cases, people with chronic pain have been dealing with it for a long time and have had tons of imaging. In Physical Therapy, we treat what’s in front of us. An MRI image doesn’t really tell us how to treat you.”

In a physical therapist/patient relationship, the therapist can get to know a person and spend actual time with them, unlike rushing through a clinical environment. “We believe in a personalized program because not everything works for everyone,” Rebecca says .

At Active Solutions Rehab & Wellness, Rebecca and her team like to work with active adults, but the term “active” is very broad. Active could mean that you want to go on a daily walk or you are training for an Ironman competition.

“Some people just want to be able to do a squat, or deadlift, or another type of exercise,” she explains, “My first objective with any client is to identify their goals. Knowing the ultimate goal allows me to break things down and determine if a person is capable right now.”

“Imagine

Limitations!”

BATTLE BRIEFS & War Stories

ANGOLA AND THE TANK

by Ken Smits

We were assigned to Angola. We mainly went there to see what the Cuban fighters were like. The Cubans were fighting in Angola on the side of Angolian insurgents. We were sent over there to teach them ambushing and other tactics. The Lieutenant we were with said every day or so this tank would ride to the overlook, which was probably a thousand meters up, and fire two or three rounds into the village there, and then it would just back up and leave. So, we decided that would be our ambush training. We decided that is what we will do: we will ambush that tank.

We took off with 12 men from our team and 12 men from their team, all of us carring LAWS Rockets. We got up there and set up an L-shaped ambush waiting for that tank. It was a T55 Russian Tank. When it came down the road, just like they said it would, we fired our LAWS Rockets at it. Everything just bounced off and went up in the air; nothing happened to the tank. The tank kept coming. We all scattered like a bunch of rats getting off a sinking boat. We scattered in different directions in an effort to return to one of our rally points. I ran off with four others. The tank decided we were the ones it would chase. So, we’re running through the woods laughing—for some reason we thought this was hilarious. One guy yelled, “We didn’t even knock a tread off!”

We could hear the tank behind us revving its motor as it knocked down trees, bushes, and other things. It would back up, ram a tree, and then back up and ram it again — it was funny to watch. We kept running until finally we came to this embankment, thinking, Oh crap! Where do we go now?

Looking over the side, it appeared to be about a six- or eight-foot drop to the bottom where there was a path. So, we crawled over the side, dropped onto the path, and stood up against the wall of this mountain. The tank was still coming, and I think to myself, If it falls over the edge, it’s going to crush us.

We looked up and saw the tank barrel sticking over the ledge. The tank sat there for a few minutes and fired three rounds at the village. After it fired, it backed up and left.

The Lieutenant we were with said, “So, is that how you destroy tanks?”

We answered, “Well, no. The purpose is to get the tank to chase you into the woods until it runs out of fuel. Then we can get them. But, I guess we didn’t run far enough because it never ran out of fuel.”

I think the poor guy actually believed me.

THEJUNGLE ANIMALSOF VIETNAM

by Ken Smits

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN NAM’

The jungle is alive with all the sounds of nature at work and play. Small red birds chirp in the trees above our heads, and in the branches of a giant cypress tree, I see little brown monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Forty feet up the river, I see two Sarus Cranes stabbing at the water, catching fish and frogs. Across the river are clumps of banana trees, dozens of magnificent birds, and unimaginable beauty.

As I stretch out under the shade of foliage, I hear branches slapping together across the river. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I focus on the area and spot movement in a large chestnut tree just behind the banana plants. SNIPER! My heart leaps, and my pulse rate increases. I can hardly see him, but if he can see us, he can probably count the hairs in our noses with his scope. As I work to get a better view, I finally focus on the most giant monkey I have ever seen. He has a huge comical nose and wags his tail like a happy puppy. Thankfully, not a sniper.

Empath Health SERVES AND CELEBRATES

THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED US

For decades, Empath Health and its affiliate healthcare organizations have delivered full life care to everyone with advanced or chronic illnesses in the Tampa Bay area. It became evident to Empath’s clinical experts early on, though, that military veterans’ experiences toward the end of life are different than what civilians go through.

Suncoast Hospice and Tidewell Hospice are Level Five Partners of the We Honor Veterans program, an initiative of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that recognizes the need to better serve military veterans and their families. This commitment to acknowledge veterans for their service extends throughout all areas of Empath Health, including one of our newest affiliates, Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, under the Empath Honors program.

When veterans are living with an illness and approaching the end of life, Empath Health is there to serve them with expert care, understanding and compassion. Our teams support veterans’ personal goals and needs, including any type of suffering from their time in the military or service-

connected conditions. The focus is to achieve comfort and resolution for veterans so they can live and pass on peacefully. Families of veterans also receive support, guidance with health care decision-making and connection to beneficial resources.

Empath Honors provides military service recognition ceremonies and work with Honor Flight to bring veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C., free of charge. The program sponsors Veterans Coffee Connections and Veteran Briefings to give former service members a social outlet and a chance to learn more about the benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An essential part of the Empath Honors mission is to recruit and utilize veteran volunteers to help us support our veteran patients. Our Veterans Serving Veterans volunteers perform recognition ceremonies for their comrades and offer camaraderie only fellow veterans can relate to. They also facilitate the Veterans History Project, where veteran stories are collected in partnership with the Library of Congress.

“This is how Empath Health and our

hospice affiliates honor, recognize, and support veterans in the community,” said Trudy Beeler, Empath’s Veterans Community Partnership Specialist. “It’s connecting veterans to each other and to resources and services they don’t know about or don’t know how to access. We’ve been very successful at doing that.”

Earlier this year, Empath opened the new Auer Szabo Empath Adult Day Center in St. Petersburg to focus on veterans’ psychosocial and recreational needs and keep them healthy at home. The Adult Day Center provides veterans access to comprehensive services, including medical care; physical, occupational, and group therapies; nutritious hot meals and snacks; group activities; one-on-one or group support; and more. A Veterans Administration benefit for Adult Day Health Care covers the cost for most veterans.

Empath Health is proud to provide the Empath Honors and Tidewell Honors programs and specialized veterans services as one way to thank and celebrate those who have served our country for a job well done and a life well lived.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.

If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion.

The Auxiliary and The Sons provide an opportunity for children, grandchildren and spouse of veterans to honor their family members that served our country, and keep their legacy alive for years to come.

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Join Veterans and our families

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www.americanlegionpost108.org

WITHOUT GLORY

I RADIO CONTROL, WHISPERING INTO THE HAND MIKE, “CONTROL, THIS IS ABLE 28, OVER.”

“ABLE 28, THIS IS CONTROL, OVER.”

“CONTROL, HEAR GUNFIRE NEAR OUR POSITION, WILL INVESTIGATE, OVER.”

“ABLE 28, ROGER THAT, CONTROL, OUT.”

Smitty and I move cautiously along the pipeline toward the laughing. The knee-deep water and muddy bottom make our movement laborious. We can see what appears to be two men not more than twenty-five feet ahead. One figure crawls over the large pipe delivering fuel to Phu Cat Air Base. The other is holding a rifle, an antiquated bolt action weapon that looks like a pre-World War II model.

Smitty grabs my arm. While pulling out his bayonet, he points to the men. I know what he wants to do. His hand movement tells me he wants us to take them out with our knives. A quiet kill. That way, we won’t alert any other VC that may be in the vicinity. Now, if we can only get to them without them hearing our approach.

We sling our heavily oiled weapons across our backs, advancing with knives in hand. Smitty points to the man kneeling at the pipe, then to himself. I nod; his plan is clear. He wants the VC nearer to the pipe while I’m to take the one standing nearby with the rifle. The rain beating down into the murky water conceals the

BY KEN SMITS

sound of our advance as we slip up on the two unsuspecting VCs. Smitty and I vault at the same instant. I cup my left hand over the VC’s mouth to smother his cries. At the same time, I jam my knee into the small of his back as a fulcrum from which I can jerk his head backward, exposing his neck. The VC struggles frantically as my Bowie knife slashes a deep gash across his throat. The blade lances through both of his arteries and windpipe. Blood spurts on my hand, covering the dying VC’s mouth. It feels like a faucet has been opened, allowing thick, warm liquid to pour freely. It gushes briefly, then slows to a trickle as his struggle becomes less violent. The VC’s body stops moving. I look at my right hand holding the Bowie. No blood. Funny how the killing hand is clean, no sign of the act. But the other hand and fatigue sleeve is soaked with the blood of my latest kill. I let the VC’s carcass slide down my body into the water surrounding my knees.

I look up, searching for Smitty. I see him lying on his back with the VC half sitting on his chest. They’re in a violent struggle for control of Smitty’s bayonet. Smitty is wrestling frantically to keep his head above water. I must move about four feet to reach them and help my friend. I stumble, falling as my foot enters a hole underneath the water. Getting back to my feet, I

wondered if Smitty had fallen into the same crater just as he was about to grab this man. The VC is within reach, and I grab his hair with my left hand. I see that I still hold the Bowie knife in my right hand. He wails as I pull him off of Smitty.

I swing the Bowie knife with all the power I can muster, striking the man on the right side of his neck with full force. I follow through as if I’m striking a baseball with a bat, trying for the game-winning home run.

The VC’s head detaches from his body. The carcass falls like a sack of rice on top of Smitty, still struggling to get to his feet. The weight of the headless corpse knocks Smitty temporarily back under the water. Blood spurts forcefully from the giant hole where the neck was once attached. Not aware he was finished, the VC kicked and jerked violently in a pitiful death dance.

Blood from the severed head streams across my arms, chest, and legs. I stand in total bewilderment, holding a man’s head in my hand while the rain pelts down on me in the middle of some God-forsaken swamp.

Smitty claws to his knees, pushing himself up into a standing position, “Holy Shit!” He stares at the swinging head in my hand.

THE PIPELINE

I’m absolutely speechless. I stare at the head, not knowing what to do. Men suddenly appear out of the downpour. Two or three VCs. I’m not sure how many. Because this head is in my hands, I don’t really understand anything at the moment.

The enemy stops, looking confused, immobilized at the sight of the big American. They stare at me as I stand in the downpour with the head in my hand. Judging by the confused, fearful look on their faces, they’re wondering if this head once belonged to their comrade. No doubt,

the gruesome sight of me—the ugly American—standing in the rain holding the head of someone they once knew has interrupted their world. Just as it has stopped ours, if only for a few seconds. To all, it must seem like an eternity, for soldiers on opposite sides of a war are still human. We become shocked by the death of our own. Especially if the death is as savage and horrifying as the scene everyone is witnessing at this moment.

Me, Smitty, and the bad men who’ve been blowing up our pipeline stand frozen in time. Fear fills our hearts; we share something in common at this instant.

My entire body trembles. My mouth has gone dry.

Swinging my left arm in a wide arc, I toss the grotesque body part of the man standing less than fifteen feet in front of me. In that exact second, my right arm sends the Bowie knife flying towards them.

Typically, a Bowie knife will stick into whatever it hits, but nothing is as it should be on this night.

I hear the crack of rifle fire. The round is out of control, spinning off somewhere into the night.

Smitty is running after them, screeching some savage rebel war cry.

Whack, whack, whack! I hear shots from an M16. Probably Smitty’s. I don’t think the VC wanted to play. Instead, they ran from the outrageous Hoa Ky’s.

Smitty’s screeching blends with the clamor of the rain still pitter-pattering all around. The scene is bizarre. My best friend is going berserk, sloshing around in the blood-mixed water. I stand with the two mutilated bodies floating around my feet. The rain pouring down tries helplessly to rinse away the blood and the insanity. I wonder if I should help Smitty. Perhaps drag him back, slap some sense into him. Or, maybe, I ought to sit down in the bloody swamp and simultaneously laugh and cry. But sitting down in this dreadful shit is not an option because that head is in there somewhere. I remember that my M16 is still slung on my back, yet I don’t feel the urgency to remove it. Instead, I walk over to the pipeline, climb on top of it, and sit, waiting for Smitty to return. I just want to go home. I’ve had enough of this for one night. Now it’s time to go.

“We were nineteen and looking for adventure. We found Hell!”

A Commander’s Thoughts ON AFGHANISTAN

How did you feel after investing so much of your career in Afghanistan?

It’s a tough pill to swallow to see how it went down. I had a chance to speak to General Dunford; he had been the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was very involved in this process. He just talked about Afghanistan in a way that helped me deal with it better.

Basically, he described what we were doing in Afghanistan as an insurance policy. You have this presence in Afghanistan to tamp down terrorism and to launch 9/11 tactical from. It’s also a great location to keep an eye on Pakistan and Iran.

Being there kept the U.S. in a place that’s a very tumultuous location. But at some point in time, you must decide if you want to pay the insurance or not. If you’re not going to pay the insurance, you allow things to happen; you throw up your hands.

The Military has its opinion, but the President makes the call at the end of the day on whether to pay that bill or not. With the cost constantly increasing without much return on investment, you make that call to pull out. So, in many ways, it’s a business decision to pull out of there, and I understood that part of it. The way it all happened is regrettable. Having so many Afghans we had worked with for years caught up in that was rough. I get it from a practical level, but it certainly hurts on a personal level.

Do you feel the fall of Afghanistan was like Vietnam?

The difference between then and now is the support for the troops. With Vietnam, you didn’t have that piece of it. I think everyone in the U.S. was upset with how Afghanistan went down. I don’t think it mattered if you were military or antimilitary, Whereas, in Vietnam, many people didn’t support the troops. You couldn’t even wear your uniform in public without being harassed. So, very different in that regard.

Do you believe there is a different perspective between Officers and Enlisted?

In some ways, I think an enlisted person that went over there, especially if they lost a friend, would be wondering why. The “why” of it all would feel very personal to them. Why did we even go there at all if we were just going to leave 10 years later? It’s hard to justify the loss of a friend when you don’t understand the “why”. As an officer, I may be able to understand things from a more strategic point of view, but I lost friends too. It’s tough—for anybody—it’s tough. But I think it may be tougher if you were on the ground every day patrolling out there and busting your butt only to see all that go away. You can’t help but wonder if it was worth it.

Finances

The Best Time to Start Planning for Retirement was Yesterday

We feel like we have all the time in the world to consider retirement. As we age, the clock ticks a little faster. Can you actually run out of time to plan for retirement? No, but your options are much more significant, and your money’s growth is much vaster the younger you start. What does retirement look like in twenty or thirty years? Will Social Security still be available? If you have watched the national deficit grow to insurmountable levels, planning a life without Social Security seems safer.

In our school systems through high school, there are no longer classes that teach the basics of life management. We need to know how to balance a checkbook or plan for retirement. For those who go into college, Macroeconomics is a required course where you might learn how to do your taxes, manage your money, etc. But what about those folks who don’t go to college? And, even though economics and personal finance courses are required in college, students don’t retain the information because it just doesn’t

For Aldi Isaacs with Westshore Financial, you can never start too early.

“Many young people don’t see the need for financial planning until it’s too late. There are so many things that can happen between now and tomorrow. When someone tells me they want to wait a couple of years, I remind them that they could become disabled six months from now,” Aldi says, “I ask them to think about how they would survive if they could no longer work. I ask them, ‘what goals and dreams are you willing to give up?’”

Aldi reminds us, “If you are married and have kids, what if you pass away? Your death could result in at least a 50 percent loss of income for your family. If you are the only worker, your family income would be gone.”

A good financial officer can point out vulnerabilities and help find ways to protect your family.

Your Life as a Balance Sheet

Aldi says to think about your balance sheet, assets, and liabilities. Assets are what you own, and your liabilities are what you owe. You have your net worth when you take away what you owe from what you own. Your net worth is a financial representation of every decision you have ever made. So, every Starbucks trip you make, every dollar you invest, every car you’ve ever bought, and every meal

you eat is reflected in your net worth. When you stop working, your net worth has to take over. It’s no longer you at work; it is your net worth at work.

Create good savings habits. For Aldi, helping his clients create good savings habits is a key to his commitment.

“The ideal situation for all my clients is to have them save at least 20 percent of their income before taxes and expenses, which isn’t easy. But we have a strategy that will help you create that savings plan and we will have an avenue to get you there. It will take you time to get there, but if you stay at it long enough, you can eventually get there,” Aldi explained.

“There are two main problems when saving money. The first problem is the idea of perceived wealth. I can tell you I act differently when I have a thousand dollars in my bank account as opposed to only ten dollars. It doesn’t mean I will spend every penny I have, but the amount I have may impact my choices on what to buy, like a round of drinks for my friends.

“The other thing that people do is allow their expenses to increase anytime their income increases. Your income goes up 5 percent, so your expenses go up 5 percent. Unfortunately, sometimes your income goes up 5 percent, but your expenses go up 7percent. Let’s switch it around; with a 5 percent raise, don’t allow your expenses to go up more than 3percent, and capture the remaining 2 percent in your savings. It could completely change your life,” offers Aldi.

Capitalism

with Aldi Isaacs, Westshore Financial

that came before it: The Theory of Moral Sentiments. The intent of that book is to be a guideline for capitalism. In the book, the author suggests that capitalism can only exist under a moral framework, a moral firmness that we all agree on. It’s not supposed to be about chasing the next dollar. There should be an actual morality behind the system. As a society we have steered away from that morality, and it’s time we readopt it.

What Works and What Doesn’t

what works and what doesn’t work. Then the question arises, why do only some governments choose to operate like we do in the United States? Our government is designed to have checks and balances across all three branches of government. Things are designed to take time.

How Much Do I Need for Retirement?

“We say goals are not numbers, but how much do you need for retirement? This is a common question that many advisors are trained to ask. And, people will say, I don’t know, three, maybe four, or five million. The advisor responds with six, seven, or eight million. The actual right answer is, ‘I don’t know.’

“Think of this: who would have imagined a dozen eggs would cost $8.75 in 2023? We don’t know the actual cost of anything in twenty or thirty years. The idea is to save as much as possible.”

Morality and Capitalism

Everyone (in finance) knows Adam Smith as the father of economics and capitalism, and they all know his book, The Wealth of Nations. To paraphrase the first section of the book, The Wealth of Nations is The Division of Labor. But what are the roots of this work?

As I mentioned, most people in finance know that book but don’t know the work

A government that isn’t accountable to its people tends to run roughshod over them. We can see this happening in places like Venezuela. I remember seeing a video of the President of Venezuela eating an empanada out of his drawer while talking about his people starving. It’s the impact of the optics of that. You can also look to foreign adversaries like Russia or North Korea, where the government is far too centralized and negatively impacts people.

History has taught us through ideas from the 1700s and the 1800s. We know

Authoritarian governments are very quick. They say, “do it!” and it’s like the word of God. They say, “do it!” and it happens. They are effective in getting policies in place; but the policies tend to be bad. The leaders of those governments don’t particularly care about the people below them because they cannot relate to their lifestyle. It’s an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of situation where if they can’t see it, the problem doesn’t exist.

Aldian Isaacs is a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Westshore Financial Group Inc is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.

EMPLOYMENT POWER The of

Veterans

Vetlign, Oplign’s Veteran Alignment Engine

The most advanced job tool available to Vets and Transitioning Military. Oplign understands veterans like no other system in the world. Oplign’s algorithms update daily. As new skills emerge in the workforce, Oplign makes the connection.

Spouses

Vetlign’s Military Spouse Alignment Tool

Military spouses bring unique perspectives and skills and are flexible and committed employees. Oplign’s military spouse alignment tool helps to match these unique characteristics with skills in the workforce.

Graduates

Gradlign, The New Graduate Breakthrough

Oplign shows new graduates their aligned opportunities. Oplign begins with your educational major, then zerosin on full- and part-time entry-level opportunities, including internships. Oplign uses the power of big data to provide complete market awareness.

Veterans, how do your skills match up in the civilian world?

Many before you have had the same problem: how to match up military skill sets with the civilian job force. No one need to tell you how to dress for an interview, but someone needs to tell you what you are qualified for. That is where Oplign comes in. With Oplign’s Veteran Alignment Engine, you are guaranteed to be matched with well-paying jobs!

Employment on the WELLNESS SPECTRUM

Trends

Many veterans will leave their new careers within the first 18 months. They find adjusting hard, and they may not like that first job. They wind up taking jobs they don’t feel comfortable in.

If they make it past the 18 months, they promote faster. Employers need to help get them through the transition. If you can get them there, get them bought into the culture, and get them feeling good, they will do well.

The Shawshank Redemption

A great analogy is The Shawshank Redemption. The prisoners did not love being in prison, but they had a sense of camaraderie there. You knew your place in the military; your rank meant something. You have a uniform, and you know how to get things done. You become very comfortable in that, especially if you’ve been in for 10-plus years. To leave that all behind is hard.

Message

I would say to any veteran: We’ve been there before. You are not alone. It’s going to be hard. You’re going to have some challenges.

Community

There isn’t a way to recreate the camaraderie they had in the military, especially a deployment. I mean, you can’t ever get there. But, finding some way for veterans to get together locally and engage with the community, it’s something. Just having someone they can talk to about a shared experience. For employers, community engagement can be an aspect of retention.

Resources

Sometimes there are just too many resources. It can become overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s just too much. Having a one-stop-shop for resources and other stuff is essential. Create somewhere veterans can go without feeling overwhelmed by not knowing where to

start and just choosing not to deal with it. Whether it’s your VA benefits, a job, or mental health, have it all in one easy place for someone to access. Some excellent organizations do that, like Combined Arms in Texas or VETLANTA in Atlanta. Organizations like that are critical for veterans to be able to engage without feeling overwhelmed.

Employment Guidance

Hire Heroes USA is great. I see a lot of Veteran resumes every day, and some of them are just horrible. It’s hard translating your military skills into a civilian resume. Higher Heroes USA does a great job of that. In particular, prepping veterans’ resumes and helping them work through the transition.

Hiring Our Heroes is another excellent organization. They’re known for hosting all the different events, like in-person and virtual job fairs.

Candorful is a great company that helps with veteran interviewing. All of these organizations are designed to help veterans be successful.

Why Military Programs Don’t Work

The military transition program is five days long. Everyone there is just ready to punch out. Especially for junior enlisted, most of them just want to go home. They want to be done. They tune it out. Then, and after being on Mom’s couch for six months, they’re realize, Awe man, I should have listened to what they said, and by then sometimes it’s too late.

They Do Exist

The programs to help transitioning veterans are out there. The problem is veterans don’t know about them. Or, they heard but just missed it. Personally, I am here to help. All I want is for that Veteran to find a job that best fits them from a cultural work perspective. Oplign is an incredible tool for veterans.

with BEAU HIGGINS

Life Without LIMITS The Troy J Smith Ability Games

The Stay In Step Organization presents the Troy J. Smith Ability Games annually. The Stay in Step SCI Recovery Center (SIS) is a non-profit veteran-founded rehabilitation facility that provides activity-based exercise programs for patients with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) and other neurological disorders. SIS is a unique long-term rehabilitation center providing a supportive family environment. The caring staff of SIS has worked tirelessly to create a motivating environment that utilizes advanced therapeutic techniques, modern equipment, and out-of-the-box thinking to challenge those suffering from a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and/or paralysis to increase their functionality as well as quality of life.

Tell us about the ability game’s namesake, Troy J. Smith.

Troy J. Smith was the Operations Manager for Stay In Step. He and another associate created the Ability Games in 2017. Troy passed away in 2019. That is when the event’s name was changed in his honor. Our last event in November 2022 had a collection of non-disabled athletes, adaptive-bodied athletes, and spectators for about 150-to-160 people.

How does the public learn about the ability games and how to participate?

This year we will be participating with Creative Loafing to help and reaching out to several newspapers and news channels to discuss more marketing options. Word-of-mouth and social media marketing have been our primary forms of marketing for the event.

What are the criteria for participating?

Anyone can participate in the event itself. We pair able-bodied athletes and adaptive-bodied athletes into teams. Then, each participant is subjected to the event’s selected movements or workouts that showcase each adaptive athlete’s strength. We will also be bringing back the electric wheelchair obstacle course. For that event, participants must be able to control their electronic wheelchairs independently without assistance.

What is the event mission?

The Troy J. Smith Ability Games are structured to showcase each adaptive athlete’s ability to perform strength training movements alongside and in front of their community. This event is designed to push them to and elevate what the participant thinks they can achieve. Giving these athletes an event allows them to look forward to each year and see results developed from weekly training within physical therapy sessions.

Our mission is to provide a step forward to recovery through long-term rehabilitative care, treatment, and hope to all our clients whose lives have been impacted by suffering from a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and/or neurological disorder. We seek to create a motivating, nurturing, and faith-centered environment where our clients and their families can learn how to overcome limitations and navigate their challenges together. We strive to change lives one step at a time and help all our clients stay on the path toward recovery.

This non-profit recovery center is designed to provide stateof-the-art recovery treatment to SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) patients in the greater Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. The Center is open to both military and civilian SCI patients. Our proactive approach to rehabilitation, combined with real-time global collaboration with other SCI subject matter experts and patients, makes SIS (Stay in Step) a unique and unprecedented center offering SCI patients in the Tampa Bay and surrounding area a direct pathway to start their journey toward healing.

COMPETE

JOIN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION.

AWARDS PROVIDED AT THE END OF THE EVENT INCLUDE:

• Top team event

• Top male/female quadriplegic adaptive athlete

• Top male/female paraplegic adaptive athlete

• Top male/female other neurological disorder adaptive athlete

• Top male/female able-bodied athlete

• Top power chair user

The 2023 event is planned for the last weekend in october. Stay tuned for more information, or visit www.stayinstep.org

STRENGTH WITH

PRIDE STRENGTH TRAINING

WHO IS KIM KASEM?

Kim is the epitome of health; strong and focused, and driven. Kim had spent her life battling the same old diet routines and could not find success. She had earned a degree in hospital administration and worked alongside her husband, an Endodontist Canal Specialist, helping him open and run his medical practices. In 2016, Kim was introduced to a program that would ultimately change her life, balance her health, and inspire her to open a gym to help others achieve the same success she had. Her now good friend, and Director of Operations, Jeoffrey Walters, opened this door. Jeoffrey is a military veteran and certified personal trainer with 40 years of experience.

“I met Jeff in 2016. He was one of the trainers at a gym I was going to. He was there doing his internship. He recognized that I was overtraining and decided to introduce me to Dr. Campbell at USF, where I became part of a research team that changed my life. I quickly learned that you must eat to lose weight, and you can overtrain. I took everything Dr. Campbell did for me and built my gym around that. I built the gym on my own. I hired independent contractors, but other than that, I built it. When Jeff returned from a contracting job overseas, I begged him to come and help run the gym. I’m not a trainer; that’s not my field whatsoever. Jeff is the Director at Pride Strength Training and runs everything. Jeff runs the classes, the programs, everything.

MISSIONS

When I started this gym, I wanted it to be a place where people could come and learn; this is how you eat, this is when you eat, this is how you work out. Literally, if you dedicate three hours a week to coming here and training, there is no way your body isn’t going to change. You don’t have to go to the gym daily; your body doesn’t need that. People just get lost in their minds and ideals of how to work out. Home gyms are a good example. People go into their home gym and do cardio for an hour - that’s like the worst thing you can be doing cause you’re not building your body up. Assessments run everything in the gym. You can pay for a standard gym membership and use the facility to work out independently. To get the program’s full impact, our assessments dive deep into what your body needs. Everything here is catered toward each person, even the group classes. We have personal training, which is the way to go, at least initially, to learn the right things for your success.

For those who can’t afford a personal trainer, we can also create a program for them based on their unique needs.

PROGRAMMING

We design a program one month at a time. During the program’s first week, you receive personal training to learn the exercises and methods. After that, you are on your own for the next three weeks, but a trainer is always on the floor to assist you. These personalized programs, or plans, definitely get results, which is why people stay with our gym. These plans are designed for you. You’re not just going to the gym to do whatever. There is a process to everything.

GROUP CLASSES

We have group classes that meet at 5:30 am and 7:30 am. These are typically people who come in before work. Moms usually come to the 7:30 am class after they have dropped the kids off at school. We offer a Saturday class at 8:00 am as well.

I think we make life simple. A lot of people want to change the way they feel. They are tired all of the time, not motivated, and sluggish. We have the answers for all of that. When it comes to your body, the only thing we require from people is to drink a gallon of water daily and get some sleep.

TECHNOLOGY

DARI MOTION-CAPTURE SYSTEM

Our DARI Scan System are these eight cameras on the ceiling. They can depict where a person is prone to having problems. We have a person go through 18 motions: hands overhead, lunging, squatting, jumping, etc. The system analysis allows us to tell what’s happening with your body from your head to your toes. A good example is someone telling me they have back pain, and the DARI system identifies that your pain has nothing to do with your back. The DARI analysis takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. Jeff then analyzes the results and provides a report on the findings. We then have you return to the gym, where we review the findings and identify the best workout program for you.

BODY COMPOSITION

Body composition is an ultrasound of the body. It allows us to tell, from your skin to your bone, what your composition is, i.e., how much water you have, how much fat you have, how much muscle you have, etc. Body composition analysis is a crucial part of the diagnostic because we don’t want you to lose muscle weight but instead lose fat weight. Muscle burns fat, so we want to preserve as much muscle as possible.

RMR (RESTING METABOLIC RATE)

With this system, we have you come into the gym as soon as you wake up. We mask your face and have you breathe in and out of the machine. It then tells us exactly how many calories your body needs to sustain life. The truth is, if a person undereates, their body will store fat.

EAT MORE FOOD

BY: KIM KASHEN

PRIDE STRENGTH TRAINING

We (at Pride Strength Training) are big advocates of intermittent fasting because it is the only thing proven to work with cancer patients. We have a kit you can follow that was designed by a doctor I have used for 20-plus years and who has helped me a lot.

Eating is hard for many people because they don’t have structure, they don’t have control, they don’t eat all day, and then they are binging at night. Your body may be craving fat and protein, but you are eating carbohydrates that have no substance. 99 percent of people do those things and don’t talk about it.

Stress is another culprit to weight gain. It increases your cortisol level which increases fat. If your cortisol levels are up and you’re stressed, your body will store more fat because it is trying to protect itself.

Our kit comes with fat burners to help facilitate the fat-burning process in a healthy way. It also comes with a shake and the vitamins that you need. The kit program lasts about a month.

FOOD MISCONCEPTIONS

On my journey, I realized that once I started to eat and exercise less, I began to see positive changes in my body. I began feeling better mentally. Before, I was doing what everybody thought I should do, eating small meals throughout the day; fat-free cottage cheese, tuna fish, eggs, chicken, and vegetables. I was eating a balanced diet, but I wasn’t eating enough.

Fact: (Some) fat is good for you!

You see, I used to do fat-free everything. I would eat an entire 32-ounce container of fat-free cottage cheese and still be starving. Then, I started to eat the whole- or low-fat version. I found that I could eat a small portion of whole-fat cottage cheese and be full, versus an entire container of fat-free and still be hungry. It turns out that when you eat fat-free foods or drink diet soda, the preservatives in those products make you hungrier.

Our bodies crave fat, and fat is good for mental health. When you eat foods that don’t supply your body with the fat it needs, you wind up still feeling hungry.

YOUR PROGRAM

#1 BODY COMPOSITION

First, we analyze body composition to see where your body is. How much water do you have? We learn how much fat versus muscle you have. Yes, we get you on the scale—but I don’t really care about the scale right now. I just want to see what your body composition is. The following 90 days will have a target: get into those fat storages and build up your muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn.

#2 COMMITMENT

Our program asks that you commit to three days to the gym. Now, I’ll have you doing something all five days of the week, but at least three of those days will be in the gym. When you are away from the gym, I will have you do something simple like walk your dog for 20 minutes. I will ask you to do some deep breathing exercises, stretching, and then activities you enjoy, like bike riding, walking, and canoeing. I’ll ask you to drink a gallon of water each day and get at least seven hours of sleep each night. And, yes, I will tell you what to eat. And, no, you can’t keep drinking your wine every night. These aren’t horrible sacrifices. It’s simple.

Commander’s Heart:

A Conversation with Beau Higgins

TRAVIS MANION was one of my Marines when he was killed. I was the commanding officer of the First Recon Battalion, and we were deployed to IRAQ in 2007. Travis was part of a training team that had been detached to train the Iraqi Police in the city of Fallujah. He was helping them patrol, learn techniques, and participate in the military’s assistance in building their infrastructure. Travis was out there that one day when a sniper killed him.

As a result, I have been part of the Travis Manion Foundation since day one. Truly, since day one. I became very close to his family. I was the one who had to call them shortly after Travis was killed. I learned that Travis had planned to run the Marine Corps Marathon with his Dad when he returned from Iraq. Obviously, that didn’t happen, but his Dad ran the race and wore both numbers. That was the start of an idea to do something to remember Travis’s Legacy. One of the first things they did that year was to have 10 runners run in Travis’s name. In the years following, they had 20 runners, then 50 runners, and so on.

In Service

I served in the Marine Corps for 25 years. While in service, I have been stationed in Guam, deployed to Somalia and Bosnia, and served three tours in Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan - all of the world’s garden spots. I loved being in Afghanistan because I could see the whole country. My work involved visiting little Afghan police units all over the country. The country itself, in some of the northern areas of the mountains, is beautiful. The people were great, and I enjoyed the food.

I wasn’t too impressed with Iraq, and Somalia was a disaster.

Fifteen years ago I helped develop and implement the Marine Corps Intelligence Schools. The Marine Corps used to only have two intelligence disciplines: signal intelligence and regular intelligence. They were adding new military occupational specialties: air intelligence, ground intelligence, and human intelligence for officers. We developed the curriculum to train these new officers in these specific disciplines. Later on, I went to Air War College. As you progress through your career, you have opportunities to go to school for an entire year. After being deployed so much, it is nice to get a degree in a classroom environment and be at home every night. The Air War College was great because it was Air Force—they havegreat golf courses!

I arrived at MacDill in 2009 and served there until 2012. During my time at MacDill, I actually spent another year in Afghanistan. During my first two years here, I worked in the J25 Intel Plan Shop at SOCCOM, and the last year I deployed to be part of the Combined Forces Special Operations Command in Kabul. After MacDill, I went to Camp LeJeune as a commanding officer of the

“If People remember me as someone that puts others first and as a man for others, that would be the legacy I would like to have and strive to obtain.”

BEAU HIGGINS, VETERAN TALENT EXPERT & MARINE

THIS YEAR, THE VETERANS ADVENTURE NETWORK AND THE TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION TEAM UP FOR THE FIRST-EVER 9/11 HEROES RUN IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.

“IF NOT ME, THEN WHO”

The inspiration for the foundation comes from its namesake. Dedicated to 1st LT Travis Manion, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of his patrol in 2007. TMF carries on the legacy of selfless service and leadership embodied by Travis and all who have served or continue to serve our nation.

Our Powerful Mantra. Before his final deployment to Iraq, Travis left us with a simple but powerful ethos. “If Not Me, Then Who...” describes the sense of duty that service members and their families feel. Today it is a constant reminder for all of us to live with character and put the interests of others before our own.

TRAVIS MANION, 1980-2007

THE MAN WHOSE LIFE INSPIRES OTHERS

ON APRIL 29, 2007, AN EXPERIENCED IRAQ WAR VETERAN FROM THE 1ST RECON BATTALION, 1ST LT TRAVIS MANION, AND HIS FELLOW MARINES WERE AMBUSHED WHILE SEARCHING A SUSPECTED INSURGENT HOUSE IN THE AL ANBAR PROVINCE OF IRAQ. AS HE LED THE COUNTERATTACK AGAINST THE ENEMY FORCES, TRAVIS WAS FATALLY WOUNDED BY AN ENEMY SNIPER WHILE AIDING AND DRAWING FIRE AWAY FROM HIS WOUNDED TEAMMATES. HIS COURAGEOUS ACTS ALLOWED EVERY MEMBER OF HIS PATROL TO SURVIVE.

TRAVIS WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR AND BRONZE STAR WITH VALOR FOR HIS ACTIONS. HIS LEGACY CONTINUES TO GROW THROUGH THE WORK OF TMF, INSPIRING PEOPLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT BY SERVING OTHERS.

Thinking outside the box is a way of life for the Roderick family. Their willingness to explore opportunities and take chances has benefited their family with thriving businesses, a comfortable lifestyle, and worldly experiences many can only dream about. These luxuries did not happen by chance; they took hard work. As parents, Steve and Stacy Roderick raised two Marines, a Seaman, an Airman, a Restaurant Owner, and an Executive. All can attribute at least part of their success to their parent’s direction and openness about life and opportunity. That openness continues as the Rodericks explore alternate therapies, from stem-cell injections in Costa Rica, to more obscure treatments in South America.

In early 2021, Steve learned of his son and daughter-in-law’s interest in beneficial mushrooms through their study of Paul Stamets, who, according to the online site Bioneers, is “very possibly the planet’s foremost expert on psilocybin mushrooms.” Their interest in mushrooms was strictly a culinary exploration to find beneficial health benefits in different foods. Having piqued Steve’s interest, he began to research further. He ultimately learned of the “magic mushroom,” a psychedelic version tied to the practice of Ayahuasca, an ancient yet innovative and controversial practice.

For two years, Steve spent time researching and verifying his research, reading medical journals, and discovering what an Ayahuasca experience would mean to him. Steve realized that Ayahuasca was essentially the starter treatment while psilocybin mushrooms performed as the follow-up benefit for the overall program. Steve’s primary purpose during his informational exploration was to identify plant medicine’s psychological and physiological health benefits.

“I understood that conventional medicine in the United States refused to consider these mainline medical treatments, and that became an area of interest to me,” Steve explains.

The study of mushrooms can be strictly culinary, concentrating on supplemental use with products such as Lion’s Maine (Hericium Erinaceus) and other ground powders often used in nutritional supplements like juice mixtures.

“Without any depression, anxiety, or PTSD-related issues, one might not be led in the same direction of interest for the psilocybin mushroom’s psychedelic benefits unless they seek them for recreational usage, which does not interest me,” Steve says.

Steve’s life history includes his own experience with PTSD.

“I suffered from extreme PTSD from many years back and for a long period of time,” he shares, “I was able to deal with it, but it was always an effort. My depression would become anxiety and then turn to anger. Even if I didn’t exhibit it externally, I carried it internally, keeping it repressed.”

Steve tried conventional medicine, meditation, and yoga, without success. When his research led him to Ayuhuasca, he hoped this would finally provide the remedy he had sought for so long. With his decision to move forward with the Ayahuasca experience, he began researching the different locations in South America.

“There are several places you can go around the world,” he says, “Through online research, I was able to find everything from a fivestar resort in Costa Rica to a bamboo hut in the Amazon jungle. I wanted the experience to be as authentic as possible, and as close to the plant medicine origins as possible, so I chose the jungle. For me, having the jungle experience and living with the tribe was extremely

aLtERNaTe theRaPiEs THE AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE

interesting.” Choosing the jungle option allowed for less distraction. “

“Part of the experience was leaving a pampered world to get completely disconnected and away from any comforts in order to embrace the earth and be grounded.”

Steve’s concern over choosing a resort-style option was that the experience would lack seriousness and feel too much like a vacation. But he went on to say, “Other people might not like the idea of living in the jungle, showering outside, or walking around barefoot in the Amazon. So there are other options and ways to personalize the experience.”

On his first visit to the Amazon jungle, Steve was joined by his wife Stacy.

“Stacy does not have PTSD, nor does she suffer from depression. But, Ayahuasca has incredible benefits for people not suffering from those things. It can bring healing to areas you might not have realized cause pain. There could be a past trauma that doesn’t rise to the level of PTSD, or maybe low-level anxiety. It can simply be a way to connect you to the rest of the world so that you see people differently and shift your paradigm.”

According to Steve, once you get through the Ayahuasca experience, regardless of whether you have PTSD, you come out looking at people and recognizing that we are all connected and should strive to be kind and loving to each other.

“The whole experience has made me more tolerant. I acknowledge that a person may be showing me their surface, which isn’t always nice, but I realize there is deeper stuff to that person because we all have it. I understand now that there are many reasons people do what they do and act how they act. They may be acting like a jerk, but now I know they are in reactive mode.”

GeTtInG ThERE

When people book their Ayahuasca experience, they submit to an intake process concentrating on general health like blood pressure, heart condition, etc. This process includes a screening to ensure there isn’t a presence of hard or psychotropic drugs that might interact with the medicine. Good Ayahuasca locations will also spend time with you before your visit to determine your intentions, knowledge of the medication and the practice, and what to expect from the experience.

“These questions made me think about why I was doing this. They helped clarify my intentions and expectations and understand how the experience would affect me and my life afterward,” Steve says.

“So, you get past the screening, book your stay, and then book your transportation. In my case, it was a flight to Quito, Ecuador, and then a six-hour ride out into the jungle. It took two days to get there. We used a private guy, a sort of ‘jungle Uber’, to get there from the airport.”

The Rodericks arrived and were on-location for a full seven days. There are options to stay for shorter periods of time, however. For example, their location has a two-night, three-day offering.

BeInG ThERE

Steve had done enough research before his experience that he wasn’t fearful.

“To say I wasn’t anxious would be wrong,” he explains, “People don’t die doing Ayahuasca. If you drink too much of the stuff, your body will throw it back up. I wasn’t scared it would do something to

me permanently. Still, even a rational person might be nervous the first time, perhaps even every time after that. You can’t go into this with a flippant attitude. The entire experience is very intentional. This ancient medicine dates back over 5,000 years. Suffice to say, you don’t approach this as you might when popping a few antidepressant pills.”

CeReMoNy

The Rodericks participated in two Ayahuasca ceremonies during their retreat, each held at night because the native tribes believe the spiritual veil is much thinner at night. On the third night, they refrained from activity, followed by an afternoon magic mushroom experience on the fourth day to complememt the Ayahuasca.

“They don’t perform the Ayahuasca ceremonies during the day, so you have your whole day to explore the tribal life. You go to the ceremonies in the late evening, usually about 9:30 p.m. You don’t partake in dinner, but you do eat breakfast. The type of food you consume is significant to the ceremony, with a concentration on very light, healthy, vegetarian fare. After the ceremony, you can relax right there or return to your cabin to rest. It is up to you.”

AFTeRWARD

After the first ceremony, both Steve and Stacy felt highly energized. That changed after the second ceremony. The tension released from the experience left them feeling emotionally drained and very tired. They were grateful for their day of rest on the third day.

“The takeaway,” says Steve, “is that the experience was better than people had explained to me. After the second night, we spoke with an onsite psychologist to discuss and process the experience, like a debriefing. I remember looking at him and saying, ‘I don’t know how to be clearer than to say 100 years of therapy could not have gotten me this far.’”

Overall, 100 years of therapy could not have given Steve and Stacy the mental management tools they’ve acquired to deal with life’s obstacles. Now they face life with a profound new outlook and a general paradigm shift in their thinking.

FoR VeTeRaNs

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this ancient medicine are those who have PTSD. Within our culture, this tends to be the veteran community. Others within the civilian community have PTSD related to trauma such as child abuse, sexual abuse, etc. Veterans have signed up for service, gone into service in good health, and encountered

anguish, anxiety, and many mental health challenges. So, something traumatic happens once they enter service, and the trauma is related to their experiences. While conventional medicine seeks to address depression and anxiety with prescription drugs, alternative treatments have become a proven option for veterans.

“They (veterans) come back, and their doctor’s solution is, ‘Here, take this pill.’ This pill, and this pill on top of that pill, and so on. Is it a wonder so many of our veterans end up battling drug addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness? And yet, they are high-functioning and intelligent individuals whose minds has been derailed because of what they have seen or been asked to do. It’s not their fault. The trauma is not self-induced. They went in with noble intentions and came home damaged because of what they had to deal with.”

The question is, how do we fix this? Plant-based medicine is literally bullet-training veterans on where they are with their addictions. Some men and women enter an Ayahuasca experience, and they leave, and their alcoholism is gone; they never touch it again. Their addictions are gone; they don’t go back to it. Their feelings of well-being are there, and they don’t have another depressive episode.

Yet Steve is careful to point out, “Ayahuasca gives you the insight, the tools, and the boost, but there is still work for you to do. You still have to recognize and utilize the tools provided to help you identify the root cause of a problem so that the next time you begin to feel a certain way or react a certain way, you can stop and think about it. You now have these internal tools to help you deal with, process, and balance out your reactions.

“You can stop and say, Wait a minute, this isn’t that big a deal, and it’s not a big deal to anyone else, and I don’t need to deal with it. I don’t need to project it. It is just another life incident. It has nothing to do with me, where I was in the past, my problems in the past, or anything.”

This is what Ayahuasca does in therapy: it allows you to disconnect where an experience might feel hurtful, but now you know what to do with it.

FiNaL ThOUGhTs

“Ayahuasca is completely non-addictive,” Steve explains, “Honestly, once you do it, there is no compulsion to return and do it again. You may desire to go back to learn more or reinforce what you discovered the first time, but you don’t feel a need to. There are many documented cases where people go once or twice, then never do it again, and the benefits of their first experience remain with them.”

BeNeFiT VeRsUs cOsT

Many veterans choose to tap out of military service before retirement, leaving them without a steady income as they exit the military. They are left to depend on their military-provided medical care entirely. Without a medical referral, many veterans are financially unable to experience existing alternate therapies and methods — an Ayahusaca retreat costs between $3000-$7000, depending on location and venue. The retreat itself is relatively inexpensive. Most of that cost is travel. There are places in the United States operating legally, and it would only be a few hundred dollars to travel to them. Some churches, for example, offer the treatment as a sort of sacrament ceremony, as permitted under the First Amendment. However, when offered as a religious practice, churches are not allowed to profit from it; they cannot sell the experience, the medicine, or any related materials (although they can ask for a “suggested donation” which, if given, goes to the church and not the practicioner(s)).

Several non-profit organizations have missions that focus on psychedelic healing. The Hope Project (thehope-project.org) connects military spouses, female veterans, and gold star wives with counseling, support, and community around these psychedelic healing journeys. The Heroic Hearts Project, a 501(c)(3) out of Orlando, Florida, founded by former Army Ranger Jesse Gould, provides access to psychedelic programs, professional coaching, peer support, and other resources for veterans. It appears the veil may be lifting, and the benefits of plant medicines like psilocybin, Ayahuasca, and LSD are resurfacing as powerful alternative treatment methods for PTSD in America.

ThE SPReAD oF TRUth

Oregon has legalized the use of Psilocybin Mushrooms, with Texas not far behind with its passing of a law permitting Psilocybin medical research in the state.

“What is aggravating as hell is that the benefits of plant medicine have been known since the 1950s as a cure for addictions and PTSD-type illnesses. But, for some reason, in the 1970s, the federal government made this a class A drug, making them illegal. Why? If you go into one or two Ayahuasca ceremonies and buy a few mushrooms, you’re all good; there are no more pills to sell you. They aren’t able to keep you on the pill registry, which benefs the pharmaceutical companies and the FDA—interestingly, the head of the FDA is a former head of a pharmaceutical company. However, with Oregon, parts of Colorado, Texas, and Florida looking into this; we may finally be on the cusp of re-realizing the positive impacts of these therapies.”

“It aPPEaRs the vEiL MaY Be lIFTiNG, aND the bEnEFItS

oF PlAnT MeDiCiNeS

lIkE PsIlOcYbIn, AyAhUaScA, aND lSD

aRe REsURFaCiNG aS

POWERFUL AlTeRnAtIvE tReAtMeNt MEthoDs FOR PTsD In aMeRiCa.”

A Conversation with Keith Pacific

THE TEAM

How did you manage to gather such an incredible team?

It took some time, and getting the right people on the bus wasn’t easy. This job is not for everyone. We do physical therapy a little differently from the traditional model. We only do one-on-one and are focused on a specific population: military, active-duty, retired, dependents, and the overall active population. We focused on our niche and had to find providers interested in working in that realm.

THE OPERATION

Describe what you do at Physique Physical Therapy.

We do personal training with a twist. Most of our patients are people who need a little bit more than your average certified personal trainer. Our clientele is looking for someone more qualified and knowledgeable about physical therapy. In many cases, they are overcoming complex injuries. They have likely had multiple surgeries and cannot attend a regular fitness class.

QUALIFICATIONS

What is the difference between a personal trainer and a physical therapist?

Fortunately, being licensed physical therapists, we have a background in differential diagnosis, which is looking at different symptoms, knowing when it’s out of our scope, and when to refer to other medical providers. For example, if someone is not responding

to a healthier lifestyle with regular workouts over a month or two and continues to have issues, then we recommend they get something checked out rather than try to push through and suck it up.

PEERS

How do you choose who you refer your patients to?

Once someone gets used to better-than-average, one-on-one care, sending them to a provider who doesn’t operate that way isn’t easy. Outcomes are better when patients have more of a relationship with their provider, so we are trying to grow relationships with independent practitioners who work as we do. We have a great Podiatrist who has a practice in Tampa and has a vested interest in the military like we do. He also spends a great deal of time with each patient. Methods like this are a good fit for our patients.

HISTORY

Take us back to your startup. How did you get started?

I started Physique Physical Therapy and Personal Training over nine years ago. When we started, it was just me, and I operated downtown out of the Bank of America Building when the lightning wasn’t good, and there wasn’t a River Walk. It was a difficult time. Things changed for the good once I was able to accept TRICARE patients. Being in the TRICARE network allowed me to make connections. Through word-of-mouth, I began seeing patients willing to drive downtown despite the iffy parking situation.

FUTURE

You have been in your current location for a couple of years. Will this location continue to sustain your business?

I would love to expand the practice. Planning for our future is very

difficult, primarily because of TRICARE. I’m unable to forecast the spending cuts levied on TRICARE patients. As their co-pay goes up, ironically, our reimbursement goes down. This creates a challenging work environment where we are trying to do more for less money. Cuts have battered the healthcare industry. We battle burnout as we try to deliver excellent care while trying to maintain morale in the workplace. TRICARE is based on Medicare rates, so as Medicare gets cut, so does TRICARE. We made more money per visit in 2017 than we did in 2023. TRICARE used to be one of the premier insurance coverages because the federal government backed it. Most places accepted it. Now we’re finding out, especially in terms of a specialist, only some people are keen to accept TRICARE. As they continue to cut rates, more and more providers are finding that it’s not financially feasible to accept TRICARE anymore. That leaves the beneficiaries of TRICARE unable to find the care they desire.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

It is the very people you wish to serve that are suffering from this. It is unfortunate. Active Duty personnel are covered 100%, but when it comes to retirees, many of whom are under 50 years old, they are not covered for the healing process. When they have significant surgery on a knee or shoulder, the healing and recovery process will take a lot of time. It will take more than a few physical therapy visits to get them back to 100%. With higher co-pays, the cost can be a deterrent and may cause someone to skip the treatment.

WHY PERSONAL MATTERS

Would these people use a home workout plan to get through their therapy?

When you hand someone a piece of paper and tell them, “Here, just do these exercises for the rest of your life,” it usually doesn’t pan out well. With personalized therapy, you can experience the extreme importance of technique and the mark on motivation. Most people will show up when they have an appointment. Alternatively, if they have to wake up every day and tell themselves, okay, I will do this every day before work, or after work, or whatever, they don’t do it. Some people have it built into them, but many don’t.

SPREADING THE WORD

How do you grow your practice and get the word out to the community?

We are very grateful for the opportunity to serve veterans and their families. We have gotten involved with local Chambers of Commerce, VAN, and other Veteran groups to get out and meet people. We grow organically by word-of-mouth. We are just down the street from MacDill AFB, which helps our military patients.

WE INTERVIEW EVERY CLIENT TO MAKE SURE WE MATCH THEM UP WITH THE RIGHT THERAPIST ON OUR STAFF.

RU n N i NG

KeIth PaCiFiC

h obby, To R t UR e, o R h ealthy?

Therapist Dr. Nick Schumacher with Physique Physical Therapy, a cross-country runner with expertise in running mechanics, holds Running Injury Prevention and Performance Clinics in the Tampa Bay Area.

Through running clinics, Dr. Schumacher provides running analysis reports that help identify strengths and weaknesses in running performance. The results allow Dr. Schumacher to help clients with their running technique. Physique Physical Therapy owner Keith Pacific speaks of a recent systematic review of running literature that has debunked the theory that running causes injury. For people with existing injuries, which equates to a high percentage of adults in their thirties and forties, running can exacerbate an existing problem such as a knee injury or back injury. He says this is why proper running technique and mechanics are so important.

According to Keith, running is still a popular workout method for people, and Physique Physical Therapy only wants to improve the running experience. Becoming a runner does not require running miles on your first go.

“So much research says to move 30 minutes to an hour daily,” Keith says. “It’s pretty vague about what constitutes movement; just get your heart rate up. When training to be a runner, move just a little daily, even for 15-to-20 minutes each day. Start slow because setting high goals is usually a way of setting yourself up for failure.

“I’m confident that if you move a little bit daily, your attitude and happiness will improve,” he adds. “Physical fitness will improve your mental health. It’s tough to be angry living in beautiful Tampa Bay. Whether walking down Bayshore or within your community, Tampa’s weather and beauty make it difficult to be unhappy outside being active.”

Many people feel they can’t perform because of a physical injury. Through interview and consultation, the therapists at Physique Physical Therapy can help identify what forms of physical activity will work for you.

I am a buyers agent located in Tampa Florida, specializing in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area. I am also one of the lucky few who can honestly say “I love what I do.” I am devoted to my clients and have a deep understanding of what it’s like to be in their shoes. Having relocated several times myself: buying and selling homes of my own in a variety of markets and situations. This has given me an instinctive sensitivity into each of my client’s individual journeys. There are no cookie cutter transactions: I treat each client as individuals, tenaciously protecting their best interests.

(954) 326-6006

tararosstampa@gmail.com

tararosstampa.com

“After getting a good history on our patients, we sometimes find they can do many things physically but choose not to,” Keith explains. “We help them pick activities that are somewhat enjoyable and start with those. I would never tell someone who doesn’t know how to ride a bike that they must ride it for an hour a day.”

The team at Physique will walk patients through the process of transferring to a healthy lifestyle by helping with their confidence.

“We realize most people can’t have a personal trainer with them every day like some Hollywood celebrity,” says Keith, “so getting them comfortable doing the movements is key, and sometimes, creating the new habits can take a couple of months before the person feels the benefits both mentally and physically. By then, that feeling will be so embedded they won’t want to take any more medicines.”

Keith goes on to explain that, “Starting a new program can be difficult for people with chronic pain, which is identified as pain lasting more than three months. It takes time and effort to break out of the sedentary mold and start moving again. It’s hard to get new patients to buy in, but

once they get over that initial hump, usually within six to eight weeks, they start to see and feel the benefits.”

Physical fitness does not stand alone; it works alongside financial, emotional, and spiritual health. Mental health has come to the forefront for veterans in recent years. Many wait too long before finally seeking help. Through sessions, the therapist at Physique Physical Therapy listen to what their patients are going through, from terrible injuries that affect not only their personal lives and relationships but also their lives financially and mentally.

“We work to be a beacon of hope, providing them the motivation and inspiration to get moving. We make sure our patients realize we cannot rehab their knees, for example, for them. We can guide them, but ultimately the work is theirs,” says Keith.

ONLINE RESOURCE

Kinetic Revolution by James Dunne offers excellent tips for proper running technique.

See the full report at tinyurl.com/pdt8572p

1. Avoid Over-Striding.

2. Maintain a Tall Posture as You Run.

3. Relax Your Shoulders.

4. Strengthen Your Glutes and Core.

5. Don’t Bounce or Rotate Excessively.

6. Control Your Breathing.

Tony Melchiorre, president of AimHigHR, is a proud member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), HR Tampa. He is also a Lifetime Member of both the American Legion and the Disabled Veterans of America.

“P e OPL e a R e DE a L i NG WI th

VETERAN VOICES

DoAmericans suffer from indifference? Maybe it’s not just Americans, but all humankind. We see so much of something that we become blind to it. Starving children in Africa, the War in Ukraine, how we felt on September 12th, 2001. What about the last 20 years of war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history? We might get on with our lives, but what about the ones who were there? We ask four veterans to reflect and share their thoughts on where we have been and where we are today as a nation. Meet Beau, Damon, Don, and Ken, four veterans, four people, your neighbors.

AIR FORCE/ARMY

“I remember my friends who died in Vietnam. They were not honored but despised by the country they died for. But did they die for the government, or their brothers on the battlefield? I believe men and women like me who were there will never forget. It is one of those things that creates the mental separation between civilians and the military. Civilians can forget. Veterans can’t.”

SECRET WEAPON:

NEVER FORGET is a mantra. It is easy to say with enthusiasm, but do we mean it? It seems most of us do forget. Once we forget, then our children become oblivious

Beau MARINE Don NAVY

“It’s hard, especially these days. I mean, the war isn’t even something people think about anymore. Not a lot of folks remember, even ten years ago. That’s why I think it’s so important to remember 9/11, because people, our kids, weren’t even born yet. How can we forget that pivotal moment in our U.S. history?”

SECRET WEAPON:

SERVICE

“For service members who were in the fight, the war experience will never go away. I think of the ones who are no longer with us and how they carried their experience throughout their lives. In comparison, Americans have a short memory and the ability to move on, where our service members cannot. Maybe it’s denial because of shame for our government’s mistakes. Maybe, it is just easier for them to forget.”

SECRET WEAPON:

AIR FORCE/ MARINE

“I’m here to tell you that the implications of war—we’re just now starting to see the scars. Just the way we saw in the Vietnam era. It took about 10-to-15 years after all that, and then BOOM! The suicide rate went through the roof. Nothing has changed.”

SECRET WEAPON:

VETERAN

By Rich Corson, Veteran Health & Wellness Contributor

Evolutionary Percussive Instrument Corrections (EPIC), the newest innovation in chiropractic medicine, is my latest foray into technologies to help veterans and others as Health & Wellness Editor for Firewatch Magazine.

In preparation for my June participation in the “Think, ‘Better’ Brain Injury Recovery Program,” arranged by Patti Brady of Koterra (I will provide an article about this in future editions), she coordinated my treatment at the EPIC Clinic in Clearwater, FL.

Dr. Stan Pierce developed the first 3-AXIS percussive soundwave adjusting instrument using a series of clinical protocols performed by expertly trained doctors to customize spinal care treatment to a unique and highly effective level of care.

Combining spinal engineering analysis, joint biomechanics, genetic structural profiling, and phonon-wave technology, EPIC uses a gentle percussion-sound wave instrument to provide painless and precise spinal adjustments, correcting the alignment of the top two bones in your spine, restoring nerve communication and promoting healing throughout the body, instantly and accurately.

The nervous system controls every function within your body. By detecting and correcting cervical spine misalignments, EPIC restores the proper function of the nervous system. Using unique sound wave technology, EPIC clinics provide painless and precise spinal corrections to your spine’s top two bones (C1-Atlas, and C2), restoring nerve communication and blood flow to and from the brain and promoting healing throughout the body.

Sidenote: If you’re like me, you’ve probably never heard of the C1 referred to as the “Atlas”. Because the C1 vertebrate directly supports the cranium, it is analogous to the Greek Titan Atlas holding up the globe of the heavens, hence the name.

Head Screwed on Straight

Arriving at the EPIC Clinic, Patti introduced me to Dr. Stan Pierce, who explained the EPIC program and conducted my initial consultation and exam. He felt I was a candidate and sent me for X-rays to determine the details of my treatment. Stan met with me the next day after analyzing the X-rays and showed me that I had a combined total of over 28 degrees misalignment in my Atlas (C1) and C2 vertebrae. He compared my C1 and C2, twisting my spinal column in opposite directions, like ringing out a towel. I had no idea! He could tell by the X-rays that this had been an issue for 40-plus years.

I moved to the treatment room, where he had me lay on a table that adjusted on three axes. As he coded in the parameters for my adjustment, I must admit, I pictured myself in an alien abduction scene where you are lying on the table, and a probe descends toward your body. Not to worry, though, the probe stops just above the designated spot on your Atlas. The doctor presses a button, you hear a metallic click, feel nothing, and you are done! What?

My initial thought was this was not really doing anything. I did not feel any different, unlike when you go to a chiropractor and hear a crack, then immediately feel better. He explained this was a typical reaction and not to worry. He provided me with a neck brace to wear for three hours and sent me to get follow-up X-rays. Interestingly, when we got the post-procedure X-rays back, there was a BIG difference in the alignment of both my Atlas (C1) and C2 vertebrae (see chart on next page). Dr. Pierce explained that everyone’s “normal” alignment is different and not to expect all zero degrees! The right column below reflects my “normal” alignment. For over 40 years, I stood with my head titled to the right and my right shoulder lower than the left (which was evident in photos), but when I got home and looked in the mirror, my head was finally “screwed on straight.” I could not believe it.

There is a veteran out there trying wellness programs offered to veterans, and his name is Rich. Rich’s job is to find the good and expose the not-so-good.

I met three other EPIC patients while at the clinic, and every one of them raved about the positive impact the treatment had on them. Pain decreased, headaches improved or were eliminated, and tingling in extremities disappeared, as examples.

At the time of this article, my Atlas has remained stable for a week. This meant they could move to the stage two adjustments of the spine as required. Utilizing a chiropractic activator, they made four minor adjustments on my spine, bringing me into proper overall alignment. While I did not notice a significant difference immediately, my back pain had decreased a bit by the time I got home.

Obviously, 40-plus years of misalignment and the related issues I have experienced that were exacerbated by it will not be gone overnight. However, I feel more erect and aligned in my posture, as well as decreased back pain. I hope to see improvements in my headaches and lower back pain. I also hope to experience more clarity and improved memory with improved blood flow to and from the brain.

My wife has suffered from migraines, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and more, and we felt it was worth getting her Atlas checked out. It turned out her Atlas and C2 were in greater counterrotation than mine. She just had her treatment this week and will see the results in her follow-up next week. We are hoping for positive outcomes for her as well.

We both agreed on how well Dr. Pierce and his partner Dr. Peterson explained the entire process, why proper alignment of the Atlas and C2 is critical and the negative impacts misalignment can have. They take their time and provide as much detail as you desire, ensuring you are completely comfortable before proceeding.

For details on the EPIC Clinics, the procedures, and testimonials, use this QR Code, or visit www.epicclinics.com/technology.

Aviation ACADEMY

The World Needs More A&P Technicians

Aviation Connects

Our World Aviation connects our world- from lifesaving cargo to life-changing trips as passengers, it brings us closer together. As a result, on average, 100,000 planes take off every 24 hours, shipping 20 million parcels and 140,000 tons of cargo, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).* None of this would be possible if not for the skilled work of aviation maintenance technicians (known in the industry as AMTs).

Maintenance Makes It Happen

Maintenance is a significant aspect of aviation but can go unseen and unrecognized by the uninitiated. However, takeoffs and landings would stop entirely without it!

Aviation maintenance is essential to ensure flight and passenger safety, maintain the peak performance of aircraft, and extend aircraft life. AMTs are the ones who perform inspections, maintenance, structural repairs, and alterations on various aviation components depending on their specialization area. Primary specialties include airframe, powerplant, and avionics. Regardless of the type of maintenance, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification is mandatory for aircraft mechanics, and these specialized technicians are in demand!

Hands-On Education

Attending a 14 CFR part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School is a fast yet thorough way to earn FAA certification. National Aviation Academy (NAA) is one of the select number of schools approved to provide aviation maintenance training. Since 1932, NAA has been a premier aviation maintenance training school with a mission to offer the highest quality training, at the best cost, in the shortest amount of time. In as little as fourteen months, an individual can go from having no experience to being a fully-trained and certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic by completing NAA’s hands-on Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Clearwater, FL, and Concord, MA campuses.

Hands-on training is critical for hands-on work. At NAA, training is prepared with a specialized, industry-focused curriculum to help students succeed in the careers that await them after graduation.

Why Aviation Maintenance is An Excellent Fit for Veterans

As a Veteran, you likely want to apply the same dedication and passion with which you served to the next stage of your life. Earning your A&P certifications with NAA will allow you to use your military skills and experience a rewarding career in aviation maintenance.

There’s a reason NAA is among a select number of approved A&P training schools in the United States - quality training. We offer an educational experience, modern facilities, and amazing campus locations.

As a Military applicant, you may or may not have prior aviation experience. We are ready to meet you where you are to build on your skillset as you invest in yourself, your family, and your future. Our hands-on, career-focused programs open doors to the aviation industry. As an NAA graduate, you’ll have access to in-demand, skilled positions in aviation maintenance and career placement assistance.

Start Your Aviation Maintenance Career

Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook has forecasted that 610,000 new aviation maintenance technicians will be needed globally by 2041.** It’s evident that more A&P mechanics are required as aviation continues to shape our world. High-quality training, such as that offered by NAA, is essential to support the career pathway pipelines that keep us flying safely.

For more information about National Aviation Academy and how to start your career as an A&P mechanic, visit NAA.edu!

Sources:

*https://www.iata.org/contentassets/4d3961c878894c8a8725278607d8ad52/air-cargo-brochure.pdf

**https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/pilot-technician-outlook/

VET tips

Home purchasing is one of the most significant investments a person can make in their lifetime. For many, it is a dream come true to own a home, but the process of buying one can be challenging. One option available to veterans and active-duty military personnel is the VA loan. This loan program offers many benefits that can make the home-buying process easier and more affordable.

One of the most significant advantages of using a VA loan to purchase a home is that there is no down payment required. The VA loan allows veterans and active-duty military personnel to buy a home without saving up for a down payment, which can be especially beneficial for those just starting out in their careers or who may not have a lot of savings.

Another benefit of using a VA loan is that no private mortgage insurance (PMI) is required. PMI is typically required when a borrower puts less than 20% down on a home purchase. This insurance can add hundreds of dollars to the monthly mortgage payment, making it more difficult for some borrowers to afford their homes. With a VA loan, borrowers do not have to worry about this additional cost.

VA loans also offer competitive interest rates. Because the government backs the loans, lenders are often willing to offer lower interest rates than they would for other types of loans, saving VA borrowers thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

This month’s FireWatch VET TIPS focuses on real estate. Everyone needs a place to live. For veterans and service members, your VA eligibility may be the key to home ownership. The FireWatch team asks mortgage lender Bryan Snyder to share some facts about the VA Loan.

BRYAN SNYDER

NMLS #108432

Branch Manager/RMLO

Geneva Financial, LLC

O: 360-910-4756

M: 360-910-4756

E: bsnyder@genevafi.com

BryanSnyderHomeLoans.com

In addition to these financial benefits, VA loans offer some unique features that make the home-buying process easier. For example, VA loans do not require a minimum credit score, and although lenders may have their own requirements, the credit score leeway can be beneficial for those who may not have a high credit score but have other factors that make them good candidates for a loan.

Another unique feature of VA loans is that they allow for more flexible underwriting standards, allowing lenders to overlook certain issues on a borrower’s credit report or income history that would disqualify them from other types of loans. These acceptions can be especially beneficial for buyers who have had financial difficulties but are now in a better position to afford a home.

Finally, VA loans offer some protections for borrowers unavailable with other types of loans. For example, if a borrower experiences financial hardship and is unable to make their mortgage payments, the VA may be able to help them avoid foreclosure by working with the lender to come up with a repayment plan or other solution.

Overall, there are many benefits to using a VA loan to purchase a home. From no down payment and no PMI to competitive interest rates and flexible underwriting standards, these loans offer many advantages that make the home-buying process easier and more affordable for veterans and activeduty military personnel. If you are a veteran or active-duty military member considering purchasing a home, explore your options with a VA loan.

Being

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