SENIORS
A18 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS
MAY 9, 2010
Vietnam-era pinup visiting local veterans By Kristen Rapin TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR krapin@toledofreepress.com
From raising troop morale during the Vietnam War to advocating for veterans’ rights, Chris Noel is a patriot. “I’ve always felt that I was a very patriotic person… I’ve always loved my country,” said the former actress and pinup girl. “I love veterans and if they need me NOEL to help out with something, I always want to help.” Noel will appear in Toledo to help kick off Remembrance Inc., a local veterans organization aimed at restoring and building war memorials. The organization comprises veterans from the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The group hopes to restore Toledo’s World War II memorial as well
as construct a Civil War and World War I memorial, said Nick Haupricht, chairman of Remembrance Inc. and a Marine Corps veteran. “Chris was very well-known during the Vietnam War,” Haupricht said. “She’s coming because she’s a piece of history.” Noel began her career at 17 years old as the “Kodak girl.” Her acting career includes roles in productions with Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason, Burt Reynolds and Adam West. She’s also appeared as a guest star on 1960s shows “Bewitched,” “The Smothers Brothers,” “My Three Sons,” “Perry Mason” and “My Mother the Car.” “I worked with a lot of really interesting and talented people,” Noel said. Her favorites to work with were the King of Cool, McQueen and the King of Rock, Presley, she said. “They were entirely different, but both were intriguing.” A 1965 trip to the gangrene ward of a hospital with the California gov-
to Washington, D.C. advocating for Desert Storm Syndrome, he said. “We marched on I-95 from Florida to D.C., but South Carolina refused to let us walk the highway. We had gotten permission all along the way, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, but South Carolina said ‘no,’” Noel said. “It was quite an experience, I didn’t think I had it in me, but I did.” Noel will speak at the Dunsberger American Legion Post on May 14 at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Dunsberger Ladies Auxiliary. A second dinner is May 15 at 6p.m. at the Northwood VFW Post 2984. The dinners are open to the public and tickets can be purchased at the door. Additionally, Noel will appear at the Westfield Franklin Park Mall from May 14 to May 16 from noon to 5 p.m. She will have photos available for purchase with proceeds going toward a memorial, she said. A second table with information about Remembrance Inc. will also be displayed.
ernor and fellow actors left a lasting impression on Noel. “That day sort of changed my life. It made me realize what happens in war. When they took a look at us and smiled and it made me realize how a smile makes such a difference in people’s lives, and I really wanted to do something for the young men of the Vietnam War,” Noel said. Following her trip to the hospital, she auditioned for Armed Forces Radio, and was the first woman on-air since World War II, she said. The radio show, “A Date with Chris,” led to an invitation from the Pentagon to visit with the troops in Vietnam. Haupricht, who was instrumental in bringing Noel to Toledo, has known her for years. The pair first met in Detroit at a traveling Vietnam exhibit and has crossed paths since in Washington while advocating for veterans rights, Haupricht said. The pair, along with 22 others, were arrested during a march from Florida
IN HOSPICE CARE
All hospices are not the same. Only Hospice of Northwest Ohio has been serving the area since 1981 and has defined the Gold Standard of Care in our community. “My mom loved to sing and music therapy brightened her life.” In addition to our expert medical care, special therapies – including music, art and massage – are available to bring joy and comfort to patients. “Our kids opened up to our counselor to discuss their feelings.”
COUNSELING
with emotional issues during and after hospice care.
FOCUS
Responsible Fun-in-the-Sun Now that we’re approaching the summer months, we swap time in front of the television for time outdoors and housework for yard work. Often, though, we get caught up in our excitement for warmer weather and overlook the dangers of the sun. Too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays invites a variety of skin conditions, such as freckles and sun spots, caused by increased production of a skin pigment called melanin, and wrinkles, resulting from the breakdown of skin fibers.
There are three main types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell cancers are the most common types of skin cancers and are the least serious (if treated early). Melanoma is the most serious of skin cancers because it can spread to internal organs if left untreated. The most common cause of melanoma is repeated sunburns, especially those prior to age 20.
THERAPIES
family
Physician
The sun can also compromise the body’s immune system and lead to uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells – which can develop into cancerous skin cells.
There is a difference
ispecial
Emily Ostrowski, MD Family Medicine
Hospice of Northwest Ohio offers counseling services for the entire family to help
To reduce your risk of skin cancer, apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 prior to going outside, avoid prolonged exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and regularly examine your skin for changes in pattern and new growths.
“We appreciated that dad could try hospice care, go off and come back on.” Our team honors the wishes of how patients and families receive care – including the ability to stop or suspend our services if so desired. For the most experienced care, insist on the best. Hospice of Northwest Ohio. To learn more, visit hospicenwo.org. Or call 419-661-4001.
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