Helping Veterans and Their Families Ease into Civilian Life
POOLER MAGAZINE
Sept./Oct.: Anniversary Issue/Best of Pooler
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BRYAN COUNTY MAGAZINE
Sept./Oct.: Anniversary Issue
Nov./Dec.: Shop Local/Anniversary
EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE
Aug./ Sept: Veterans/First Responders
Oct./Nov.: Anniversary Issue/Best of Effingham
Dec./Jan: Shop Local/Holiday Issue
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Jan Southern Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com 912-318-8645
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Morris L. Southern Morris@JDelSURMarketing.com
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Laura Zielinski
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Penny Redmond
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It is an honor to publish the inaugural Veterans & First Responders issue of Bryan County Magazine. It’s our small way of showing our appreciation and respect for these individuals who make lifelong sacrifices to serve us—from protecting our country to keeping us safe at home.
Pablo Torres puts love into action as co-founder of nonprofit Love, Action, Truth (LAT) 318. The name is derived from a Bible verse, 1 John 3:18, and the organization provides toiletries, medical supplies and sustainable support for underprivileged communities in Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador and Argentina.
After making the transition from military to civilian life, Lynnetta and James Smith wanted to make it easier for other families experiencing the same change. They founded Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom in 2019 to provide leadership development and entrepreneurship training initiatives that utilize the skills honed by military service.
Cecil Greenwell and Jamie Niles draw from their military service to do living history demonstrations at Fort McAllister. They educate guests about Civil War battles, firing muskets and cannons and giving people a glimpse into that time period.
These stories show that military service has many transferable skills that make former servicepeople valuable members of their communities. We hope you enjoy reading about them.
CEO/Publisher
Bryan County Magazine
You may not know what any of these terms mean but there is someone who does—licensed insurance agent and health care broker Melissa McBride Stille. With over 15 years in the health insurance industry, she is your best ally in obtaining health insurance that works best for you and your family.
“There is a lot of information out there and it can be confusing,” says Melissa. “As your local agent, together, we can look at your needs and simplify the process of signing up for health insurance.”
Because she is local, Melissa has a true understanding of her community. And being local means she can get to know you and be available for face-to-face interactions. You can meet in person, get answers via text, send her an email that gets answered quicklywhatever works for you. Try doing that at a big company with an 800 number! You never have to yell “Customer Service” into the phone because the person who picks it up is Melissa!
Melissa now has two office locations to better serve her clients. “I am opening up a second location on Laurel St, the main street that runs through Springfield, which will be my second office in Effingham County. My Rincon office is inside of DeWitt Insurance Agency, which is where I originally purchased the health insurance department to become owner of my own agency.” says Melissa. Both locations are by appointment only at this time. “Once both offices are fully operational, I will be at the new Springfield location on designated days and at the Rincon office on others, in addition to working from home.”
Health insurance is both vitally important and complex. As your agent, Melissa will explain the basic components of health insurance such as premiums, deductibles, policy limits, exclusions etc. All of these greatly impact both your care and the cost.
As your agent, Melissa:
• takes the time to understand your needs.
• Works with you directly, one on one.
• Provides services free of charge to you.
• Provides personalized recommendations.
• Help you enroll in qualified health programs.
• Reviews your health plan annually.
When comparing plans, even with the same insurance company, there is a lot to consider such as deductibles, premiums, provider networks, and the difference between HMOs and PPOs. Another important issue is prescription coverage, which varies widely from plan to plan. Melissa states, “I know many clients are understandably concerned with cost but the best insurance for you is not necessarily the cheapest. When we look at plans together, we will consider all the costs related to the insurance, as well as what you are actually getting for your money.”
Melissa says it is important to prepare ahead of time for any life changes that affect your health insurance, such as retirement. “Don’t wait to start! You need to prepare three months in advance for life/insurance changes. Contact me and we can go over the timeline, so you are ready at the right time.” The same goes for open marketplace deadlines- call Melissa and get on track in advance.
Melissa gives every client her cell number - it is even in all of her advertising so that everyone, even future clients, can feel comfortable reaching out to her. She lives locally, now with two offices in Effingham County, but for the quickest response give her a call on her cell 912-239-7119.
“Being an independent health insurance broker means I work for you- the client. I look forward to getting your call and helping you determine your best health care options.”
Cell (912) 239-7119 | www.StilleYourAgent.com
Melissa@StilleYourAgent.com
1. Gail Parsons has more than 30 years experience writing for magazines and newspapers. She most enjoys feature writing because it allows her to meet interesting and inspiring people, and share their stories. In 2023, she and her husband fulfilled a long-held dream to move to the Savannah area and have settled in Rincon. She is also an artist and enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.
2. Erich Perez and his wife, Dr. Misty Seale are owners of iHeart Dental in Rincon. Erich’s other role is founder and president of Kronos Media Productions and K&R Studios in Rincon. They specialize in videography and photography as well as sound and recording. Erich and his wife are avid Jeep enthusiasts and have 5 American Bulldogs. You can check them out at @gods.of.dogs on Instagram.
3. Cindy Reid has been a freelance writer for over 15 years. She has been published extensively in Effingham Magazine , Pooler Magazine , and other lifestyle magazines. A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, she embodies the saying “I wasn’t born in the South but I got here as soon as I could.” She can usually be found on a beach, a boat or at a pier at sunset.
4. Claire Sandow is a freelance graphic design and marketing professional who lives in Savannah with her husband, daughter and cat. She received a Mass Communication degree from Georgia College & State University. In her spare time, she enjoys pursuing her many hobbies, including knitting, crocheting, quilting and running.
5. Katrice Williams is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates the Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.
6. Laura Zielinski is a freelance graphic designer specializing in print design. With more than 17 years experience, Laura enjoys shaping stories through meaningful design. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her husband Keith and their three beautiful children, Alli, Matt and Claire.
7. Mabel, morale officer, enjoys roaming the backyard, sitting for hours on the back porch and coming to the office to greet visitors and encourage the staff. Mabel loves getting treats and taking long naps in her mommy’s office in the afternoons.
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL TEAM OF STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS WHO MAKE BRYAN COUNTY MAGAZINE THE BEST IT CAN BE! WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Members of our MILITARY, VETERANS, and FIRST RESPONDERS have worked and sacrificed so much for our community and our country. Bryan County Magazine is proud to tell their stories and to feature businesses and services that support them.
Story by Cindy Reid | Photography by Erich Perez
Each year approximately 200,000 military members leave military service. Becoming a civilian means the veteran will now face a myriad of new issues in their life, from housing to employment. For some vets it is a smooth transition but for most there are bumps in the road.
Lynnetta Smith and her husband James Smith experienced major life changes when James retired from the military after a 20-year career in the US Army Signal and Intelligence Corp. Essentially Lynnetta herself had also served—both as a military spouse and as a dedicated civil servant, with a primary focus on budget-related responsibilities
spanning across various branches of the military.
The transition to civilian life was both welcome and difficult, an experience they weathered and thrived under, but with a determination to support other veterans on their journey.
That is why they founded a nonprofit organization, Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB) in 2019.
“We named our organization ‘Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom’, because it is exactly what our vets are experiencing, as the vets' boots go from the military to somebody's boardroom,” says Lynnetta. “We are here to help veterans transition into civilian life.”
After having gone through the process themselves, both James and Lynnetta want to make it less stressful on military families as they navigate uncharted waters. “One day you are wearing a uniform and the next day you are applying for a job," says Lynnetta. “It’s a huge life change and it can be painful to go through.”
The organization’s mission is to transform lives and promote economic independence for veterans and their families through entrepreneurship, education, leadership and developmental training, health and wellness support, and assistance in transitioning into the civilian sector.
CB2TB is currently conducting a “United We Stand” campaign with leaders in the community to raise awareness for PTSD and support P.R.O.S.P.E.R. (Preparation, Resilience, Opportunity, Support, Purpose, Empowerment, Reeducation)—their non-profit initiative to assist veterans transition more smoothly out of the military and into civilian life.
“We have two programs," says Lynnetta, “Vets Day 365 for adults, both men and women, whose main initiative is P.R.O.S.P.E.R., and Kits for Kids, which is the umbrella for everything we do for military children.”
P.R.O.S.P.E.R. is a leadership and development program that takes place
over the course of nine months. It employs a comprehensive and ecosystem-based approach to provide the transitioning veteran with exclusive behind the scenes experiences and fresh opportunities across multiple industries. It addresses employment and also how to become self-employed. For most of those leaving military service, being an entrepreneur is a completely new skill set.
“One of the major challenges in terms of career choices after they leave the military is how to successfully start their own business. There are those that go on to achieve this goal, but there are also those who never try, even though they would like to. They choose not to out of fear, a lack
of knowledge, or support. This is why we formed Veterans’ Day 365. This program was founded as a way to provide the necessary support to veterans so they can become successful entrepreneurs.”
Lynnetta says, “When you are really fresh out of the military you often don't know what you want to do. Our program features leadership, networking and entrepreneurship.”
She says the challenges veterans face are as individual as the service person.
“Everyone is different, which is one of the reasons we visit eight different industries. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the one sitting next to them.”
The basics of military service does not necessarily translate well to civilian life. After leaving the service, veterans have to figure out who they are after having been told where to work, what to wear, even what they do for healthcare for so long.
“And then when they transition out they are told to go ‘do what you want.’ Some have been in the military their entire adult life from the age of 17 to their mid 40s,” says Lynnetta. During this transition, many vets experience anxiety and struggle when in large groups. Transitioning out is a profound change to their identity.
Most veterans' experience of employment is different than civilians, in such issues as time management, accountability, and personal leave.
“The longer someone has been in the military, the harder the transition,” says Lynnetta, “Rank is usually not relevant to their next chapter in the civilian sector.”
Although being thanked for their service by civilians is appreciated, what veterans really need is a good landing in civilian life. This is particularly true for wounded veterans because their military service often ended abruptly, and sometimes not by their choice.
“Someone else got to choose their exit, so they didn't get to have closure. Being told you are no longer fit for duty is a very hard thing,” says Lynnetta, “They were not finished. Wounded veterans are always special in my heart, and I know we can provide support through our program and make a profound impact on their lives.”
CB2TB is ready to launch their next initiative Fiscal Masonry, a program designed for military spouses. Lynnetta says, “Many spouses are ready to be
entrepreneurs and brick by brick we will guide you through the steps and provide mentorship. This gives a spouse something for themselves. In addition, a home-based business transitions well when you move because you can bring it with you!”
Kits 4 Kids was started by Nicole and Blythe Smith, Lynnetta and James’s daughters, based on their own experiences with a parent who was deployed and how they were able to cope with his deployment.
The program includes an annual $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior of a veteran parent in Bryan, Chatham, Liberty or Effingham County.
Part of what we do is to help build confidence while showing our vets the community is excited to welcome them. “
“
They are also getting ready to launch a new bookmobile program called Pages & Reels. After visiting the bookmobile, the children get to choose a book they can bring home and keep. Pages & Reels is seeking community support, from book donations to business sponsorships.
Lynnetta says, “Literacy is the main Kits for Kids cause. We will be traveling to school community events and would love to partner with multiple schools in the area.”
Like most non-profits, CB2TB hosts a variety of fundraisers to ensure that all costs are covered for the veterans in
their programs. They host an annual gala, which honors the “United We Stand” Candidate of the Year combined with the “Lip Synch Battle” that puts a voice to PTSD. Other organizations can host events to benefit CB2TB, such as a movie night in the park, private dinners and 5k walk/runs.
The downtown development authority in Richmond Hill donated a large outside sign in Richmond Hill to increase the group’s visibility and many vets find CB2TB from the sign, as well as from word of mouth. The program is always open to new partnerships from business and educational organizations.
“Partnership with us is a plus,” says Lynnetta, “Onboarding new employees is expensive and CB2TB can save you money by introducing the vets in our program to your business.”
She says it has been rewarding to witness growth and to connect the vets with the community. The classes are limited to 25 participants and take place over nine months with an assignment due at every monthly session.
“Although the participants in our classes may think they are coming for one thing, they usually don’t think they would get the education and support that they do get," says Lynnetta, “Part of what we do is to help build confidence while showing our vets the community is excited to welcome them. And once vets break into an industry they reach back to other vets.”
Which is just what Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom is all about. Their “United We Stand” Campaign is elevating voices, inspiring change, and bringing awareness to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). ■
F i r s t t i m e .
F i x i t w i t h L o w c o u n t r y. 9 1 2 - 7 1 2 - 2 7 9 7 L
5 % O F F
As told by nominator
Tell us about his loved one?
Wonderful wife. Son and two daughters. Recent addition of twin granddaughters.
In what branch of the military did he serve?
Veteran of the Army and Air National Guard. Owns Coastal Endodontics in Richmond Hill/Hinesville.
What was his most memorable experience serving?
Dr Lea was impacted most by the selflessness of his fellow servicemen.
What advice would he give about serving his community now?
To put yourself second to the needs of others. Life’s blessings will come naturally if you keep a sincere, genuine attitude and make it a habit to give more than you take. Generosity, kindness and compassion are contagious to all.
As told by nominator
Tell us about his loved ones?
Don is an 80-year-old Vietnam Vet who lives with his wife of 43 years, Norma, a retired music teacher. Don is in the moderate stages of Alzheimer’s, but still retains enough of his older core memories to patriotically partake in his local VFW, visit his favorite fellow Vets at Nine Line weekly, and act as Greeter at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church. He is the father of two adult children, Christina and Daniel, and has 1 sprightly 3 year old grandson, Juan Tomás.
In what branch of the military did he serve? Army, Special Forces, Green Beret in Vietnam War
What was his most memorable experience serving?
Don remembers being shot while evacuating the jungles of Vietnam as he was making his way towards a rescue chopper.
What advice would he give about serving his community now?
It is important to give back, no matter your stage in life and health.
As told by nominator
Tell us about his loved ones?
Family means everything to Marcus. He is married with three children. His wife, Jennifer, is an educator. His oldest son, Tennessee, attends the University of Georgia, following in his dad’s footsteps with a love of engineering. His daughter, Peyton, just graduated from Richmond Hill High School and will be attending Georgia Southern in the fall as a member of their prestigious dance team. And his youngest son, Mason, loves football and attends Bryan County schools. In Marcus’ free time, he usually finds himself on the ball fields or attending dance competitions. And when the opportunity presents itself, you can find him and his family out on the boat! They live in Richmond Hill and love the Lowcountry lifestyle.
In what branch of the military did he serve? U.S. Air Force
What was his most memorable experience serving?
Marcus worked on the Predator aircraft, the unmanned spy plane. He also was deployed to Pakistan/Afghanistan for three months in 2002 during the War in Afghanistan. Among many awards for his service and dedication, he received the “Air Force Achievement Medal” multiple times.
What advice would he give about serving his community now?
Marcus can share advice and his experience with creating and running a veteran-owned business and serving in a different capacity.
As told by nominator
Tell us about his loved ones?
Steve is married to his wife Dawn for almost 30 years. They have two children, Emma, who just graduated high school and will attend SCAD in the fall. Their son, Sam, will be entering 6th grade in the fall and is a black belt in karate. They have been residents of Bryan County for 11 years..
In what branch of the military did he serve?
US Navy for 23 years. Retired as a Chief Petty Officer, Hospital Corpman, Surface Warfare Qualified.
What was his most memorable experience serving?
Helping perform open heart surgery while afloat in the Persian Gulf. Fighting literal pirates off the coast of Somalia-- Steve was two ships ahead of the ship that rescued Captain Phillips. Flying into the middle of the Yugoslavian Civil War to provide medical care for the US Peace Envoy.
What advice would he give about serving his community now?
Help first and always, serving those around you with of love & gratitude.
After a full day at the park or swimming pool, summer fun calls for some refueling. All that sun is sure to exhaust busy families, leaving little time for complicated snacks.
Skip the long ingredients lists and leave confusing cooking instructions behind. Instead, treat your loved ones to this Roasted Sweetpotato Mango Salsa, an easy-to-prepare solution for those busy afternoons.
The natural sweetness of cubed sweetpotatoes (no added sugar required) and mango collide with the delightful crunch of diced bell peppers, onion and jalapeno. Combined with fresh-squeezed orange, lemon and lime juices, it’s equal parts flavor and refreshment served with your favorite chips or crackers.
With complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy, sweetpotatoes help with both endurance and recovery in athletes, making them a perfect ingredient for reenergizing your family. This nutrition powerhouse is versatile and available year-round so you can enjoy them throughout the summer as part of favorite snacks, weeknight meals or even Saturday morning pancakes.
Pairing them with the more than 20 vitamins and minerals from mangos, which are fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free, makes this salsa a better-for-you snacking solution.
The versatility of sweetpotatoes makes it a cinch to add them to a variety of recipes to enhance flavor and nutrition content, from simple salsas and small bites to elevated recipes and beyond. Plus, they can be baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or prepared on the stove as a perfect summer sidekick.
Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to find more recipes that are sure to become summer family favorites.
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 12
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups (2 medium) sweetpotatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup mango
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 cup purple onion
1 jalapeno
1/4 cup cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime juice chips or crackers
1. Heat oven to 400 F.
2. Peel, rinse and cube sweetpotatoes 1/4 inch or smaller. Toss sweetpotatoes with salt, pepper, chili powder and olive oil.
3. Spread on baking sheet and roast 20 minutes.
4. Peel and cube mango. Seed and cube bell peppers. Dice onion. Seed and dice jalapeno. Finely chop cilantro.
5. Once sweetpotatoes cool, mix with mango, peppers, onion and jalapeno. Cover with fresh-squeezed orange, lemon and lime juices.
6. Chill and serve with chips or crackers.
Sponsored by North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Story by Gail Parsons
After spending more than 20 years in the military, two of Fort McAllister’s living historians have turned to teaching others about the veterans who came before them.
Jamie Niles started his 21-year career in the Marine Corps having enlisted in 1992 as an electronics technician for air traffic control. He served in Okinawa and as an embassy guard in Germany and Columbia before going to Pensacola, Florida, where he taught electronics for two years.
“When I was in Pensacola, I applied to Army Flight School, even though I was in the Marines,” he said. “I wanted to fly. I wanted to be a pilot. I tried doing that in the Marines, and they said no—three times. I had a good record and everything but the Marine Corps is tiny compared to the Army. Plus, they have fighter jets so it's a whole other level.”
Eight years after joining the Marines, Niles changed uniforms.
“One day I was a Marine, the next day I was Army,” he said.
He went on to Fort Rucker Army Flight School and eventually flew Blackhawk helicopters. Although he started as a Warrant Officer, he went to Officer Candidate School and retired from the Army as a captain. His last duty station was Hunter Army Airfield— the cost of living and the weather helped him make the decision to stay in Georgia rather than move back to his home state of Massachusetts.
then this was not going to work for me. In 1982, the economy was terrible.”
Around that time, his father died but before he did, he spoke of his one regret— that he never made it to Australia.
“He told me, ‘If you want to do something, you better do it,’” he said.
At that point, all Greenwell knew was that he wanted to do something different than a dead-end job. Growing up in Louisville, he would hear the guns from Fort Knox and especially at Christmas the media would feature the soldiers, which always looked exciting and cool.
He began thinking about the Army, even though his wife wanted no part of it. One day he walked past a recruiting
was a reenactor. For at least a year they pestered him to participate.
“They finally wore me down,” he said. “They said, ‘We’re going to this place called Broxton Bridge. We’ll pay for you, we’ll give you everything you need.”
They loaned him a shirt, which he accidentally tore, and put him out in the field—from that day, he was hooked.
“That was the very first (reenactment) I ever went to and I loved it, loved it,” he said. “I had my little debit card … in my hand and I went to the … sutlers. I pulled that card out and I bought everything I needed short of a rifle.”
He joined the Eighth Georgia/68th Ohio, which are Civil War reenactors units that reenact Civil War battles and do living histories.
station and everything came together.
Army veteran Cecil Greenwell retired at the rank of Sgt. First Class. His last 16 months in the Army were in Korea. As soon as he retired, he returned to Fort Stewart where he entered the civilian workforce. It was just over 21 years from the day he took his oath to defend the country.
Back in 1982, at the age of 22, he had a wife and a full-time job in Louisville, Kentucky but was starting to question what his future held. A series of events steered him to the Army.
First, one of his managers, whose wife also worked in his office, told him in passing how they hoped to someday be able to buy a house.
“There were two paychecks,” he said. “I’m like, ‘You’re the best guy they got and you’re hoping to buy a house?’ I knew
“There was a poster in the window, it had Uncle Sam on it and what it said was, ‘If not you, then who?’”
This was at a time when the Iran hostage situation was happening and Ronald Reagan was elected president, which gave him hope that it was the right time to join the Army. Little did he know at that time, the Amy would become his career.
When Niles and Greenwell retired, they left active duty behind but not the military. They both had a lifelong interest in military history and Bryan County is a hotbed of history.
When Greenwell retired in 2004, he started a civil service career. His wife worked with a woman whose husband
He and Niles both consider what they do as living history rather than reenacting.
“I prefer to do living histories where we fire the cannon, we fire the muskets, you interact with the people, as opposed to a reenactment,” he said. “Reenactors play a script, you are acting, you don’t interact with people. They don’t talk to you, you don’t talk to them. You are doing a performance.”
As living historians, they talk to people, answer questions, and explain Civil War history from the Union and the Confederate stances. They don’t get into the politics of the time rather they talk about how the soldiers lived, and what their equipment and their day-today lives were like.
Another reason neither gravitate to reenacting is that after a career that saw them deployed in war zones and sleeping outside, they are done with that.
“Reenactors, a lot of times they’ll stay overnight out in the woods, trying to live like Civil War soldiers lived,” Niles said. “I really have no desire to do that because Civil War soldiers were miserable most of the time, and I did enough of that tactical camping when I was in the Army. If I’m camping now, I’m gonna have a cooler, a beer, and probably we’re sleeping in a trailer or something not on the ground with mosquitoes.”
After active duty, he worked as a park ranger at Fort Pulaski as an interpreter.
That job included shooting cannons and muskets and dressing in the Civil War uniforms. He did that for six years but the drive eventually prompted him to leave that position and get involved with Fort McAllister.
“Like Cecil, I don’t consider myself a reenactor I’m more of an interpretive volunteer,” he said. “I pretty much do the same thing I did as a ranger. I give tours of the Fort, I do musket demos, cannon demos, and talk about the history of the Civil War.”
With wake-up, Reveille, light’s out, sick call, police call, guard mount, work call and chow the Army was still the Army in the mid-1800s
“We initially lived in a large camp in the desert,” Greenwall said. “The environment was not great, but bearable. It was a new experience for us. We lived in tents, had one meal of hot food daily, and a turkey Thanksgiving dinner. We could call home occasionally, and get mail delivery. We took showers and got a day off once in a while.”
As the battle drew closer, tent life was gone. Life and the environment hardened.
A main reason I impart their story is because it’s also my story, 100-plus years later ... Flintlock or M1A1, it’s the same. “ “
“We didn’t invent anything, we carried it on,” Greenwell said. “Wars don’t change all that much. Weapons do, tactics might, but combat itself doesn’t. If ya been there, ya realize that. I was in a front-line cavalry unit (3 ACR) as a gunner on an M1A1 Abrams tank named ‘Gotta Go!’ We were the front line.”
Just as the veterans who came before them in any number of wars, soldiers left their homes and families to travel to foreign places.
The mission didn’t change. They lived on the tank, slept on the tank, every night regardless of rain, frost, and sand storms.
“I didn’t take a shower for 42 days once the fighting started,” he said.
“No mail, water rationing, no hot food, no radio reception. We wore the same smelly clothes every day. It was our life out there; primal. We were briefed that 25% of us were expected to be killed in our initial assault. We were sent there to complete a mission and weren’t leaving until we did.”
Civil War soldiers, regardless of what side they fought, experienced the same emotions and hard times. When looking at the similarities between them and today’s soldiers, Niles said most of them are young and green.
“My first 10 years was peacetime,” he said. “And then 911 happened and I was green. I’d done a bunch of training but it’s not the real thing.”
There are also similarities in the protocol, but also some stark differences.
“The way soldiers talk to non-commissioned officers, the banter between them, would never have happened,” Greenwell said.
Discipline wasn’t meted out with pushups or an Article 13; Civil War soldiers were flogged for disobedience; others were shot or hung for desertion.
While there are similarities, some of the biggest differences is in the equipment.
“Our musket in the Civil War was pretty heavy,” Niles said. “It’s heavier than in the modern-day Army rifle but overall the modernday soldier carries weight with the body armor and helmet and all the equipment.”
At the end of the day, soldiers are soldiers whether they fought on American soil or in far-away lands—they took lives, watched their comrades fall; they shot and were shot at.
“When it was over, we were thankful to be alive, and just wanted to go home,” Greenwell said. “Just like them; both sides, Union and Confederate. There is an old saying, ‘Same blood; different mud.’ A main reason I impart their story is because it’s also my story, 100-plus years later. You had to experience that to truly make that connection. Flintlock or M1A1, it’s the same.” ■
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You may find it difficult to wrap your mind around the idea of an energetic student-athlete with a cardiac diagnosis. Heart conditions may be more often associated with older individuals, but you might be surprised to learn hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common condition responsible for sudden cardiac death in young athletes. In fact, it’s the cause of 40% of sudden cardiac death cases.
It's estimated 1 in every 500 adults living in the United States has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to the American Heart Association, but a significant percentage are undiagnosed. More than 80% of individuals who experience this condition show no signs or symptoms before sudden cardiac death. While sudden cardiac death is rare, it can occur during exercise or in its aftermath. That’s why it’s important for student-athletes and their loved ones to learn more about this condition and talk to a doctor about their risk.
With proper knowledge and the support of a skilled care team, it’s possible to manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart-healthy actions to prevent complications or worsening cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation (a quivering or irregular heartbeat), stroke or heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy awareness and education for athletes by the American Heart Association is made possible in part by a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of inherited heart disease and can affect people of any age. It’s defined by thickening and stiffening of the walls of the heart. The heart’s chambers cannot fill up or pump blood out adequately, so the heart is unable to function normally.
There are different types of this condition. Most people have a form of the disease in which the wall that separates the two bottom chambers of the heart (the septum) becomes enlarged and restricts blood flow out of the heart (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
However, sometimes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs without significant blocking of blood flow (nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The heart’s main pumping chamber is still thickened and may become increasingly stiff, reducing the amount of blood taken in then pumped out to the body with each heartbeat.
What are possible symptoms?
Symptoms can include:
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• heart palpitations
• fatigue
The severity of symptoms can vary, but if you experience them or if you have a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor about whether you have this condition.
For some people, symptoms can get worse and new symptoms can appear over time, resulting in people dealing with harsher effects and a diminished ability to do the activities they love. This decrease in functions can be one of the most challenging aspects of the disease. Keeping your health care team aware of any new or changing symptoms allows them to work with you to develop a plan to manage these symptoms and reduce their impact.
How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Medical history, family history, a physical exam and diagnostic test results all factor into a diagnosis. A common diagnostic test is an echocardiogram that assesses the thickness of the heart muscle and observes blood flow from the heart.
If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, other heart diseases or has been told they had thick heart walls, you should share that information with your doctor and discuss the need for genetic testing. Because this condition is hereditary, first-degree relatives, which include siblings and parents, should be checked.
Learn more at heart.org/HCMStudentAthlete.
Sponsored by American Heart Association
Story by Cindy Reid
Sometimes our dreams lead us on a journey far away from where we started. Georgia native Amber Monroe grew up in Meldrim, Effingham County, but always dreamed of traveling to distant places. Following her interest in farming, she became a student at Georgia Southern University. After graduating from the GSU Biology department she taught agriculture at South Effingham for a year before going on a spring break trip to Iceland.
She says, “I came here for a visit in 2017 and fell in love with the country. Something about it felt like home. In 2018 I moved here to work on my MSc at Hólar University in the Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology. Most of my undergraduate courses focused on plant biology, and since I wanted a career in aquaponics, I thought it would be helpful to study fish biology.”
After receiving her master’s degree at Hólar University in 2021, Amber opened her own business called Isponica in Hólar, Iceland. The company utilized vertical farming and aquaponics to provide fresh greens to the local market. Vertical farming optimizes growing space by using total building height, not just horizontal space, to grow more crops and aquaponics uses the nutrient-rich water from fish tanks as fertilizer for the plants. By implementing these ideas, Isponica is garnering a lot of positive attention for its modern sustainable farming practices. We recently caught up with Amber to talk about her passion for Iceland and Isponica.
What were your first impressions of Iceland?
I had no idea what to think when I first visited Iceland— the landscape was so different from anywhere I had visited! On my first trip, I hiked a lot and explored nature, mostly in the southern area of the country. There was so much to see. I came on my own and I felt very safe here, too.
How is the weather- especially for someone used to a warm climate like South Georgia?
I first came to Iceland in the summer so I didn’t have an idea of how winter could be here. But, I love the cold, snow and northern lights during the winter months. When we do have winter storms, it’s nice to hunker down inside and watch movies or read. Winter has its own peacefulness here. Of course, driving here in winter storms is a totally different story! It’s best to stay at home. The summer months are great for adventuring—you never run out of daylight and areas of the country inaccessible during the winter can be visited in the summer. Most of the sheep are free to roam and migratory birds arrive for their Icelandic summer vacation.
Is language a barrier? Are you learning Icelandic?
Many people in Iceland speak English very well, so language isn’t usually a barrier. I can read the Icelandic language okay and I am still learning to speak it, so my friends often help me. I’m hard of hearing, so while I can often start a conversation in Icelandic, I tend to get a little lost when I don’t hear and miss a few words. That’s okay - I’ll just keep taking classes and practicing! Listening to Icelandic music helps, too.
Where do you live currently? Have you been able to explore the country?
I live in northern Iceland, in the municipality of Skagafjörður. I love it. In many ways it reminds me of Georgia because of the farms and the countryside. I have been around the country a few times, but there are still quite a few places left to see. My goal is to go visit the Westman Islands and explore the Westfjords more, especially the more remote areas.
“Through every step of Ísponica’s development, there have been many people willing to jump in and provide advice and help with the setup.”
How did Isponica get started?
I always thought aquaponics was fascinating and I knew I wanted to have my own aquaponic farm one day. When I was graduating in 2021, I thought it would be a good time to start the company so I could build it into my future plans. Here in Iceland, we have access to different kinds of renewable energy, such as geothermal, and this helps with aquaponics production. We’re also an island that needs to import quite a lot of its food since we aren’t currently producing enough of our own, and I thought that Ísponica could increase our local vegetable production.
Are you producing products or in the startup phase?
I’ve been producing microgreens since we started in 2021, so we were able to get up and running fairly quickly. I focused mostly on microgreens since it only takes a week or two to grow and then I can bring it to market. It’s been small-scale the last few years so I would say we are still in the startup stage and now planning to increase the production this summer. We’re in the process of setting up in a new facility which has great potential for growth and we’re planning to grow more microgreens, lettuce, herbs, edible flowers and mushrooms. At the moment we’re raising goldfish and tilapia but I’m hoping to run some Arctic char trials later this year. We aren’t harvesting fish for now and just focusing on building up the production.
Did you repurpose existing structures for Isponica ?
The original location of Ísponica was in a former barn in Hólar that used to house cows. The basement of the barn was later used as a public aquarium and this is where Ísponica was set up in 2021. It worked out perfectly because our production uses fish and many of the aquariums were still usable. On the other side of the barn is our local pub and brewery, Bjórsetur Íslands, which is where students and locals drop by for a beer on the weekends.
Have you since moved?
As of April 2024, Ísponica moved to a nearby village called Hofsós. We moved into part of a former fish factory that has been mostly empty the last few years and used a storage for RVs and cars during the winter months. I’m excited about the factory because a lot of people in the municipality have a connection to it—either they worked in it or know someone who did. It’s been fun hearing different stories from the past and I’ll be sure to include the factory’s history in Ísponica’s future.
The great thing about the new location in Hofsós is that it creates opportunities for agri-tourism, where visitors can come by for tours and sample our products. In the future, we hope to add a small café on the other side of the building. The building is by the sea and overlooks the fjord and the island called Drangey. It’s a beautiful view.
Isponica is generating a lot of interest—have people been supportive?
I’ve honestly been humbled by the support. Through every step of Ísponica’s development, there have been many people willing to jump in and provide advice and help with the setup. Living in the countryside of Iceland, everyone acknowledges the importance of keeping things going and we try our best to support local businesses. There are also a lot of opportunities for people trying to start a business here, whether it’s training programs and accelerators, business and innovation development offices, grants and special loans. We really try to network and promote each other so we can all succeed.
What do you miss about Georgia?
I’ve been living in Iceland for almost 6 years now and every time I come back to Georgia for a visit, I see so many things that I appreciate more and more. I miss my family and friends the most—when you are only traveling back once a year (or even less) you realize how quickly kids grow up and people age. These visits are precious to me and I try to catch up with everyone as much as I can. On a different note, we rarely have thunderstorms and lightning here in Iceland, which is something I didn’t even realize I would miss until I moved here (or the sound of happy tree frogs after a summer storm). I also really like the ice cream here, but I have to say that I miss Ronnie’s milkshakes and Leopold’s Ice Cream on the summer days!
What is your favorite thing about Iceland?
One of my favorite things about Iceland is how small it is—you’ll find that most people have some connection to each other and you are likely to meet celebrities or politicians. A few years ago, former Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir was in our local pub in Hólar. When I saw her, my mind did not at all register that it was her until much later—because why would the Prime Minister be in our village pub, in rural northern Iceland? The chances of something like this happening in the US are much less likely, but it’s completely normal here in Iceland. Luckily I had the chance to meet her again when she and other members of Parliament came to visit Ísponica in 2023, but still— it’s funny to realize you never know who you’ll bump into at the pub!
What would you say to encourage someone with a dream?
It’s important to believe in your dreams so passionately that other people around you start to believe in them as much as you do. I think it’s necessary to surround yourself with people who will encourage, push and challenge you to pursue your dreams. It’s also okay if your dream changes over time—sometimes when you start, you realize that certain things aren’t working and you adapt. Be flexible, openminded and work hard. There are going to be days where you might feel discouraged or don’t feel like working on your goals, but staying disciplined and maintaining a routine will keep you moving forward. ■
Colonial Coast Photography shared such great photos for our article on page 29, we thought we would share more of them here!
There are many who talk the talk, but few walk the walk. As the co-founder of LAT 318, Pablo Torres has proven that he is not a man of mere words, but a man of action. LAT (Love, Action, Truth) 318, a local area nonprofit, has assisted individuals in need since its inception in 2017. The organization’s name is derived from 1 John 3:18 which states: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (Holy Bible, New International Version).
Pablo, originally from Puerto Rico, relocated to the U.S. in 2000 alongside his wife and fellow LAT 318 co-founder Luz, a Venezuela native; the couple has two sons: Jorge, 17, and Sebastian, 11. Pablo began missionary work in 1996 while living in Puerto Rico. Being familiar with the urgent needs of underprivileged communities in various countries, he was determined to be a beacon of assistance and thus partnered with organizations that shared his passion to help.
For some time now, the organization has been focusing the majority of its benevolent efforts on Venezuela, which suffers from a severe limitation of goods necessary to sustain its citizens’ needs. Hence, LAT 318 ships about 800-pound cases of product each quarter to Venezuela, which include medical supplies provided by MAP (Medicine for All People) International, a nonprofit located in Brunswick, Georgia.
In contrast, the organization has offered a bit more financial support to Honduras and Colombia where there are more goods available to sustain the countries’ needs and where the value of the U.S. dollar is very strong.
Though LAT 318 has been a relatively small operation, it has done a world of
is polluted. The organization has strived to help the country alleviate that issue.
As the land has been bombarded with hyperinflation for quite some time, purchasing water is out of the question for most citizens.
A major goal of LAT 318 is to aid malnourished children, so the organization has bought cattle in Venezuela that can be used to help feed them; the milk from the cows can be sold, and cheese can be made to sell for additional funds. All of the proceeds are reinvested to further assist the children.
“All those funds come back to the program. We try to think very dynamically. We want to help make the country self-sustaining,” Pablo states. In addition, some of the children in Venezuela are becoming proficient in various agricultural skills.
100% of what is given is used to support the cause. All donations are distributed immediately, as all the needs are immediate. “ “
In 2017, Pablo’s regard for the welfare of others manifested in the creation of LAT 318. Pablo and Luz began shipping toiletry items to South America, particularly Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador and Argentina; they distributed the donated items right from their own garage. Besides Pablo and Luz, the LAT 318 team includes Pablo’s brother-in-law Jorge Araque, his pastor Alton Carter, along with a few additional dedicated volunteers.
“It’s a team effort. I work with a great team of people,” Pablo says.
LAT 318 initially began shipping approximately 200-pound cases of the essential items each quarter to each of the countries.
good over the years. Pablo admits that Luz manages most of the organization's daily operations, as he has maintained a fulltime career at Gulfstream Aerospace for over 16 years.
“She coordinates the day-to-day activities; the kids also help us in the logistics and packing the boxes. I couldn't do any of this without my wife and kids,” he says.
The organization’s primary goal is for Venezuela, along with any other country it assists, to reach a point of sustainability. Besides the obvious food shortages, many Venezuelans suffer from contaminated water in certain parts of the country, as the lake that supplies water to those areas
LAT 318 invests in the education and vocational training of the children there, including many teenagers. It has provided the country with five educators. Further, the organization has partnered with local doctors and medical volunteers who practice at a fully accessible and wellequipped clinic that the organization provides. Over-the-counter medication is supplied as a result of the generosity of caring sponsors.
LAT 318 used some of its financial donations to rebuild a media classroom for deaf children in Honduras. The classroom received a variety of necessary equipment – laptops and other essentials to benefit the students.
“All of that was funded with donations from Savannah,” Pablo states.
LAT 318 has purchased homes for individuals in need while also helping to rebuild others. Pablo recalls the joy that an older widow experienced when her
home was rebuilt, a home she needed to raise her grandchildren.
The organization’s impactful support helped over 300 children in Venezuela and Colombia receive toys over the holidays last year.
Pablo travels to some of the countries in need of assistance in order to help support his organization’s cause.
Pablo appreciates the benevolence of the organization’s generous givers. Over the years, LAT 318 has partnered with ministries in Savannah, along with those in Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras and Puerto Rico; they have offered priceless support for the phenomenal cause. Local churches and various organizations in the area, including Nine Line Apparel, who kindly donates t-shirts to ship to individuals in need, have proved to be a real blessing for the nonprofit.
shown, especially the tremendous generosity of supportive individuals and organizations right here in the Coastal Empire.
“When you see how the people here unite to help, it’s very inspiring. Having the people of Savannah encourage us and help us is very important to me; we are able to share some of the goodness that we have here in the United States. Instead of preaching more than we’re doing, we actually do more than we preach,” Pablo says.
the mission field that may be affected spiritually, mentally or physically. It’s very mission-oriented; it’s very similar as far as the expectation,” he says.
Pablo is a member of Gulfstream's international sales team. He jokes that the company is his second military home.
Pablo is incredibly grateful for his wife Luz, whom he truly admires, especially for the heart she possesses for others.
Love is an action word. If I don’t help those I see and love them, how can I say I love God, Who I don’t see? “ “
Even more, it is important to Pablo and Luz that 100% of what is given is used to support the cause. All donations are distributed immediately, as all the needs are immediate.
“The donations we get are from caring supporters. The people here are giving hard; they are being good stewards of the opportunity to help people. It is very important that we take care of what people give us as well; all the money goes to the nonprofit,” he says.
The LAT 318 team is sincerely appreciative for all the acts of kindness
Pablo is a U.S. Army veteran, and he feels his military experience has proved beneficial to him in a lot that he has accomplished with his organization.
“I believe everything in life is a tool for the next step. Resources I gained in the military have always been key. The military gave me the mental prowess to identify needs, have clear expectations, the ability to work on teams and the ability to delegate and not micromanage. Soldiers are the most effective missionaries. The core military values of integrity, honor and respect go hand-in-hand with what I’m doing now. I’m helping people in
“She is strong; she came to this country and had to learn the language, the currency, the laws and the rules. I admire her strength, her integrity and her selflessness … just seeing her go-getter attitude, her determination, and the way she loves people. She gives herself away to help others, and she does this without pay. Even though she’s doing all this, we have never seen our home lack attention in any form or fashion,” he states.
Pablo Torres, along with the entire LAT 318 team, walk the walk, exemplifying that love and concern for others is more than just talk.
“If I want to be prudent and show the world I love God, I should show the world that I love you, right? Love is an action word. If I don’t help those I see and love them, how can I say I love God, Who I don’t see?”
Anyone who would like to support LAT 318 or receive additional information about the organization can visit: www. lat318.org. ■
7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, & 8/31: Richmond Hill Farmers Market 3-6pm JF Gregory Park
7/8-7/11: JR. Ranger Camp II 8:30am-4:30pm 3894 Fort McAllister Rd Richmond Hill
7/15: Bē Health Summer Camp FUN 8:30am-4pm 35 Outfitters Park Drive Richmond Hill
7/26: 12th Annual Red Hot Chili Pepper 5K 6:15-10pm JF Gregory Park
8/1: The Richmond Hill Friends of the Library Used-Book Sale 9am-11pm Richmond Hill Library
8/3: Cars and Coffee 3pm JF Gregory Park
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The daughter of an Olympic swimmer, Angela swam competitively until a scoliosis surgery ended her career. Her two daughters both followed in the family’s footsteps, and when 11 year-old Nola developed signs that Angela feared might signal the onset of scoliosis, she brought her to St. Joseph’s/Candler.
Dr. Steven Greer, a musculoskeletal physician specializing in sports medicine, diagnosed
Nola with a 2cm leg-length discrepancy. He understood how much competitive swimming meant to the family. Because his approach involves identifying noninvasive therapies to delay or prevent surgery whenever possible, his solution was relatively simple—Orthotics would give her the support she needed. Today Nola continues to pursue the sport she loves, as Dr. Greer continues to treat the entire family.
“My goal is to help patients get where they want to be in life with as minimal intervention as possible, whenever possible.” – Dr. Greer
“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER”
– Steven Greer, M.D. – Musculoskeletal
Specialist