Publisher’s Thoughts

PUBLISHER Jan Southern Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com 912-318-8645

CLIENT SERVICES Christie Wilson, Account Exectuive Christie@JDelSURMarketing.com Lacie Dockery, Account Executive Lacie@JDelSURMarketing.com

DESIGN Laura Zielinski

DISTRIBUTION Penny Redmond

Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:

135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406 PoolerMagazine.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Write to us and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send all letters via email to Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Pooler area will be considered.

CIRCULATION: Pooler Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to more than 250 locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at PoolerMagazine.com. Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

VETERANS & FIRST RESPONSERS ISSUE

In 2019, we felt compelled to create the inaugural Veterans & First Responders issue of Pooler Magazine to celebrate these amazing people in our community. It was moving, inspiring and so very encouraging.

The next year, when our country was in the throes of a pandemic shutdown, we wanted to use the Veterans & First Responders issue to bring light and hope to the Pooler community. As we all struggled to find our footing, we watched so many step up and make sacrifices to help others.

Jan Southern

What became even more apparent during this time was that our first responders—firefighters, law enforcement, healthcare workers, and emergency medical teams—were in their element. This was what they were called and trained to do. Their dedication and highly specialized training was on full display during this time.

In this issue, we detail the mission of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, which provides financial assistance to surviving family members of first responders killed in the line of duty. To date, they have given nearly $4 million to support these families, funded by donations and a series of community fundraisers.

We also share stories of the dedicated men and women of our military who have a strong presence in our area. On any given day, you can see men and women in uniforms taking lunch breaks at the restaurants in our area, and many veterans have made the greater Pooler area their home.

It’s not unusual to see military planes flying overhead and hear the loud booms coming from Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield. If you’ve ever wondered what all these noises mean, we’ve got an article in this issue explaining them. We also talked to SFC Ryan Davis, an Army ranger who has a positive attitude despite losing three of his limbs on a mission in Afghanistan, and learned about the fascinating restoration process of the “City of Savannah,” a B-17 aircraft that was used during World War II and now resides right here in Pooler at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we enjoyed writing them.

CEO/Publisher Pooler Magazine

of Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC

Are you turning 65 and need help navigating through your options?

Melissa McBride Stille Works for Clients—Not the Insurance Company!

Are you turning 65 and thinking about retirement and don’t know what to do? “Many people are trying to decide if they should retire and how that would impact their health insurance.” says independent insurance agent Melissa McBride Stille, “If someone is 65 years old and wants to stop working, knowing their health care options ahead of that decision is crucial because there are far reaching consequences.”

Melissa has been in the health insurance industry for 14 years and is the sole proprietor of Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage. She says, “DeWitt Insurance Agency has been in business since 1956. When I purchased the agency’s health department, I incorporated it into my agency name to keep the continuity within the community.” As a health insurance broker specializing in Medicare, she is dedicated to presenting her clients with the best health care options available.

She says at age 65 most people need to think about the pros and cons of Medicare options or continuing insurance through their employer. Don’t stress over the paperwork she says, “All you need is to bring me is yourself and your current group benefits. Don’t depend on your Human Resources department to help you because they are not insurance specialists. We can do a three way call between yourself, your HR dept and me so I can thoroughly assess your situation. Together we will optimize your benefits while tailoring them to your needs.” Melissa can also facilitate your Medicare application with the Social Security office. “There are many factors, particularly with Medicare Part B.” Some scenarios involve penalties but they may not apply to you, that’s why working with a Medicare specialist is critical to obtaining the best outcome. Each client presents individual issues. You may have a spouse who is dependent on your benefits and too young for Medicare. Melissa will help you compare the cost of staying at your current position and using your employer benefits plan, versus retiring and having your spouse obtain health insurance through the marketplace. Perhaps your spouse has a chronic illness or is in an assisted living facility—these are important factors in your decision.

Step By Step Process

• Is Medicare Primary or Secondary • Open enrollment periods • Deductibles vs out of pocket • Spousal Considerations • All income levels need expert guidance Melissa also works with Medicare recipients under 65, including those who have Medicare through Social Security Disability and with people using Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurance, and some group insurances. “I care about each and every client and do a review of everyone’s health policies every year because there are so many changes annually,” she says. “I like to simplify things and present you with your best options.” She gives every client her cell number—it’s in all of her advertising so that every client, even future clients, can feel comfortable reaching out to her. She says, “I work for my clients, not the insurance company.” If you have a question regarding Medicare or other health insurance options, give Melissa a call!

Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC

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ABOUT THE COVER

A talented group of volunteers came together to restore the iconic Boeing B-17 WWII bomber named the “City of Savannah.”

Read all the stories and more at PoolerMagazine.com

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Features

10 A Mighty Crew Restores History

A talented group of volunteers had one goal: to restore this B-17 aircraft back to its original 1944-45 combat configuration

18 Special Kicks for Special Kids

Carson Fortner, the owner of Pooler Karate, created Special Kicks—a martial arts program designed to help kids and adults with special needs

24 Port Wentworth Fire Department: Meeting the Demands of a Thriving Community 28 The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire

When tragedy strikes first responders, The 200 Club responds with financial support to help lessen the devastating effects

34 Welcome Home SFC Ryan Davis

After suffering catastrophic injuries in the line of duty, US Army SFC Davis is ready for his nextchallenge

44 The Sound of Freedom

For those who live in close proximity to several military installations, the booms we hear are the sounds of freedom

Departments

5Publisher’s Thoughts 40 Pooler Happenings 48 Pooler Events

Thank You!

Members of our MILITARY, VETERANS, and FIRST RESPONDERS have worked and sacrificed so much for our community and our country. Pooler Magazine is proud to tell their stories on the following pages and to feature businesses and services that support our veterans.