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JULY 22, 2020/Volume 1/Issue 2 LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM
Supporting and informing the Military, Veterans, and their Families across The Liberty Coast
On Base • In Town • Pro-Military
Becoming A Civilian:
One Veteran’s mission to ensuring a successful transition experience
Changing Perceptions:
How one VSO is paving the way for better care for the fastest-growing Veteran demographic
Bill Green Manager
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Liberty Life
LIBERTY VOICES: FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK
JULY 22 2020//VOL.1 ISSUE 2
CONTENTS
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Liberty Outreach: K9s for Warriors Liberty Coast: Camp Blanding Liberty Resources: Career Transition and Employment Liberty Profile: Northeast Florida Women Veterans Liberty Feature: Patty Piazza Liberty Culture: Mackey’s Munchies Liberty Salute: Coast Guard
elcome to the second issue W of Liberty Life. Thank you for taking the time to read through it.
VETERAN-LED: Publisher Joe Snowberger, U. S. Navy Mustang (Ret) (904) 476-7861 Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com Editor Stephanie Thompson, U. S. Navy Mustang Veteran (702) 573-5506 Editor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com Director of Sales Vince Ponciano, U. S. Air Force Veteran (904) 415-7800 Vince@LibertyLifeMedia.Com Business Manager Nancy Zarling, U. S. Navy Veteran Admin@LibertyLifeMedia.Com PRODUCTION: Art Director Sarah McLaughlin ArtDirector@LibertyLifeMedia.Com Assistant Editor Courtney Stringfellow AEditor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com SALES: Automotive Advertising Staci Edwards Manager@AutoSourceWeekly.com 31 5th Street DISTRIBUTION: Atlantic Beach, Fl 32233-5307 Copyright © Signals Publishing, Inc 2020 Distribution Bobby Pendexter CosmicDistributions@gmail.com Liberty Life Media welcomes editorial, photographic and calendar contributions. Submit stories, events, milestones and military/ Veteran discount offers at www.LibertyLifeMedia.Com Please share and recycle issues.
Do you have a story to share? Do you know someone doing good on the Liberty Coast? For an opportunity to build your portfolio and join our growing team... Email your pitches to Submissions@LibertyLifeMedia.com
President•Sam Taylor Sam@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
On base, these organizations are staffed with distinct populations of professionals, such Our mission is to provide relevant, as pilots and aviators, ship and relatable and useful information to boat drivers, technicians, mechanics, security forces, our readers. Our readers are logistians, support, administrative primarily the military, Veterans, and service personnel, engineers, and their families serving and environmentalists, specialists, and living on the military bases and in neighborhoods across Camden, crew chiefs, just to name a Nassau, Duval, Clay and St. Johns handful of these groups. They range in rank from Seaman counties. I’m excited for the opportunity to show you just how Recruit through Sergeant First much that mission inspires our work. Class to Commanding Officer. In town, Veterans from World Our Veteran staff continues to War II, the Korean Conflict, the mold our journalistic voice and Vietnam and Cold War, and the shape how we deliver 20-year era labeled Post-9/11, information, resources and live and work here. Additionally, activities to you. Late nights, new Liberty Life Media informs and lens-views and spirited video supports the many military and discussions have become the norm. Psychologist Bruce Tuckman’s Veteran spouses and family classic forming, storming, norming members who also live, work and go to school in our region. and performing stages of team The common thread? All of development are being them support our ability to live revalidated. the Liberty Life. The aha moment: I want to share one example of our evolution. Our audience is WE ARE The Liberty Coast! So… you heard it here first. principally spread across seven The Liberty Coast is a region of and a half military bases, five counties and two adjoining states. Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, located along the Atlantic Finding a concise regional and geographic descriptor to replace coast, that is the home to one of the largest communities of military the wordy and repetitively used Servicemembers, Veterans and “Southeast Georgia and their families in the United States. Northeast Florida” emerged as a priority. Identifying an inclusive The Liberty Life Media crew looks definition of who our readers are, forward to sharing with our readers the people, places, resources and in addition to where they are, things to do on The Liberty Coast. was important. After reading through the issue, As we worked through the I invite you to share your feedback, dilemma, it was clear that submissions or desire to be a recognizing our defense contributor with me at community as being diverse is 904.476.7861 or an understatement, as we have Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com. “them” all: Army, Marine Corps, You can reach the crew at Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, GUARD and Reserve bases and Info@LibertyLifeMedia.Com. commands. Each of the bases On Base • In Town • Pro-Military. have many different units. We _____________________ even have the Army Corps of Joe Snowberger Engineers, Homeland Security, U. S. Navy Mustang (Ret) FBI and numerous other Publisher I Liberty Life Media Department of Defense entities spread across our turf. LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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Museums on the Liberty Coast Liberty News Military Museum of North Florida This museum honors service men and women from EVERY branch of the service. There are pictures and displays of uniforms, weapons and equipment from each of our major conflicts, more recent pictures showing how warfare has progressed. You can see what it must have been like to live on the western front in World War I. 1 Bunker Ave. & State Rd. 16 E, Green Cove Springs, FL 904-410-0781 • themilitarymuseumofnorthflorida.com St. Mary’s Submarine Museum History of the “silent service” comes alive here with a wide variety of pictures, paintings, models, artifacts and rare historical documents. More than 99% of all WWII submarine combat war patrol reports are housed here! 102 St Marys St W, St Marys, GA 912-882-2782 • stmaryssubmuseum.com Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park The focus here is on Camp Blanding’s history and involvement during WWII, to include uniforms, weapons, equipment items, vehicles, and aircrafts dating back to the 1940’s. 5629 SR 16 W, Building 3040, Starke, FL 904-682-3196 • campblanding-museum.org Spanish Military Hospital Museum A Second Spanish Period Military Hospital with a 30-40 minute guided presentation on St.Augustine’s Historical Spanish Medical Practices. 3 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL 904-342-7730 • smhmuseum.com St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum Learn about 500+ years of maritime history, from the first wooden watch tower in the late 1500s to the current St. Augustine Light Station, built from 1871-1874. Discover the importance of these aids-to-navigation to both merchant and military vessels. 81 Lighthouse Ave, St. Augustine, FL 904-829-0745 • staugustinelighthouse.org
Florida’s First Diamond Club Member of 2020 Diamond Club status is achieved by a recruiter who reaches their annual quota in only six months. Florida Army National Guard Sgt. First Class Christopher Campbell was the first recruiter to win this award for 2020, having reached quota in just under five months. This status was conferred in July, and Campbell’s reward was a new, advertisement-wrapped Ford Fusion government work vehicle ready for more of his recruiting adventures. How To Solve Military Spouse Unemployment Unemployment of military spouses is an ongoing issue that has not seen improvement over the years. A likely cause of the status quo is that military spouse employment is not regularly tracked. When Veteran unemployment began being measured, the percentage of unemployed Veterans went down significantly. COVID-19 has highlighted some of these issues, but the pandemic also offers an opportunity to reimagine how we help military spouses find and keep meaningful work, despite the frequent moves required of a military family. There is a monthly survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that can be modified to start including labor force status questions regarding military spouses. What gets measured gets attention, and it’s time we started paying attention to the situation of our military spouses.
Liberty Outreach
K9’S FOR WARRIORS
A lifesaving nonprofit helping Veterans nationwide
by Sadie Bishop Education Associate at K9s for Warriors
K9s For Warriors is a national nonprofit that procures eligible shelter dogs and trains them to be Service Dogs to mitigate symptoms of PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or Military Sexual Trauma for servicemembers and Veterans. It operates from two facilities in North Florida that procure and train the canines, pairs them with an incoming Veteran, then trains the Veteran and canine pair together. After three weeks with his or her new Service Dog, the Veteran has learned how to reintegrate into society and, most importantly, reduce suicidal ideation. Our program is unique, comprehensive, and proven, thanks to groundbreaking research conducted in partnership with Purdue University’s OHAIRE Lab. The majority of our Service Dogs come from high-kill shelters, which means that with each Warrior-K9 pairing, two lives are saved. Since opening in 2011, K9s For Warriors has graduated over 600 battle buddy teams and has rescued over 1,200 dogs. If you are interested in learning more about K9s For Warriors, applying to the program, becoming a volunteer, or are interested in donating, you can visit K9s For Warriors’ website at www.K9sForWarriors.org or call 904-686-1956. 04 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
Destroyers Swap Homeports USS CARNEY (DDG 64) and USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 82) swapped homeports between May and July 2020 in an effort to maintain a more modernized force in our forward-deployed European region. USS CARNEY spent five years in Rota, Spain and is now back in Mayport, where USS ROOSEVELT recently resided. There are three other Destroyers awaiting their turn to shift homeports from Rota by 2022, to be replaced by ships with more advanced capabilities. A Change In Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefit Levels Effective August 1, 2020, the amount of money the VA will cover increases for those with less time in service. The 40 percent benefit level will be eliminated and the 60 percent benefit level will be expanded to include those who have served between 6 and 18 months. Navy Hospital Jacksonville Gains New Commander Captain Teresa Allen became the leader of three Liberty Coast medical and readiness commands on July 10th. In a virtual change of command ceremony, Allen assumed the leadership duties of Captain Matthew Case. Case successfully led the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Market for 28 months. There have been many changes in the way the organization is run as a result of COVID-19, but Case led the changes quickly and smoothly. Allen has inherited a new way to do business and will undoubtedly offer other improved processes moving forward.
Liberty Coast SCULPTING SOLDIERS
Welcome to NE Florida! PCS move from out of state?
Camp Blanding: More Than A Training Center
by Stephanie Thompson JD Long, MRP, CNE REALTOR / Sales Associate (904) 583-3077
Steve Sechler Broker / Owner (904) 334-3985
Speak with our Veteran Realtors today! Full Service Residential Sales & Property Management
Timothy Seise, MBA, GRI, MRP REALTOR / Broker Associate (904) 703-8917 Cell
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appelling from a 60-foot tower. Hooking a tether to the underbelly of a helicopter while it’s in flight. Completing a 12-mile ruck march in just three hours. All of this is just a snippet of what it takes for Air Assault Soldiers to earn their wings. Camp Blanding Joint Training Center graduated its current class of Air Assault Soldiers on July 24, but its mission extends well beyond this course. In addition to Camp Blanding being a state-of-the-art training venue, it also serves as an emergency office space where Florida’s governor would operate the state government from, in a catastrophic event. It is even the site where the Florida Division of Emergency Management will go to continue performance of essential functions under circumstances that require its movement from its home base. Camp Blanding is very much an emergency management and response location, with a focus on natural disasters and state emergencies. The base hosts relevant academies, particularly for county emergency managers. The base is able to serve as such a critical asset to the region in part because of its many strategic partnerships. It has relationships that protect and improve infrastructure, as well as to support capabilities that allow it to offer an exceptional experience to its customers. Its personnel are continually growing these partnerships in an effort to expand their capacities. Camp Blanding is on a mission to become “the premier domestic and combat training facility in the southeast U.S with a focus on Unified Land Operations up to a brigade-sized element.” The training center currently provides a wide variety of services, from simulation platforms to maintenance and everything in between. Its customer base is just as wide-ranging, as they serve Florida’s National Guard, along with other federal, state and local entities. For an inside look at a sampling of the settings Camp Blanding’s students train in, head to the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training website, MCTFT.Org.
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sunrvresorts.com/resorts/south/florida/pecan-park LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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Liberty Resources PROVIDED BY THEVETERANCOMPASS.ORG
Career Transition & Employment Resources The Liberty Coast is fortunate to be the home of many service providers and resources to assist Servicemembers, Veterans and their families with career and employment changes. The following are just some of the career and employment transition resources available on The Liberty Coast. Onward to Opportunity (O2O) Provides professional certifications in information technology and business management (HR, Program Management, Six Sigma) through online coursework with career development and job placement support programs. Free to transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans and military spouses. onward2opportunity.org Spouseforce — Blue Star Families Spouseforce is a new online portal that connects military spouses with training partners and employers. bluestar.yourjobpath.com Veteran & Military Spouse Jobs — Powered by Corporate America Supports You(CASY) Provides personalized, one-on-one job placement support, career exploration, and employment training at no cost to Veterans, transitioning military, or military spouses. militaryspousejobs.org, casy.us and vetjobs.com Jobs for Vets — City of Jacksonville Provides a diverse listing of career transition resources and companies committed to hiring Veterans. coj.net/mavd/jobs4vets USO Pathfinder Jacksonville USO Pathfinder Scouts work one-on-one with Servicemembers to build a transition action plan as early as 12 months before leaving the military and up to 12 months after separation or retirement. Scouts also work with military spouses through any transition during their family’s military career. jax.uso.org/jax-pathfinder Hire Heroes USA Provides career coaching, resume assistance, interview preparation and a fresh LinkedIn profile. hireheroesusa.org Military OneSource The DOD Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide and offers comprehensive resources and tools for all stages of your career progression. myseco.militaryonesource.mil Military Spouse Resources — U.S. Dept. of Labor Employment, education, and relocation resources just for military spouses careeronestop.org/militaryspouse Military Spouse Resources — U.S. Dept. of Labor Employment, education, and relocation resources just for military spouses. careercnestop.org/militaryspouse Employ Florida Vets The state’s online jobs portal for providing employment services to Florida Veterans. Tools help match service members to the jobs and training opportunities that suit the skills and experience gained in the military. veteran.employflorida.com Hiring Our Heroes — U.S. Chamber of Commerce Connecting Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. hiringourheroes.org Operation New Uniform This comprehensive transition training program starts with challenging Veterans’ old ways of thinking and helps them develop successful behaviors and refined techniques critical to an effective civilian career search. onuvets.org Veterans Florida The career services team personally assists Veterans with resume preparation, helps them determine employment goals, and matches them to career opportunities with Veteran-friendly employers in Florida. veteransflorida.org/careers Veteran Employment — CareerSource Northeast Florida Assists with converting military job skills to civilian terms, career skill development, and introductions to federal contractors and other employers committed to hiring Veterans. careersourcenortheastflorida.com/veterans CareerSource Northeast Florida — Military Spouse Employment Active-duty military spouses are a significant part of the Liberty Coast’s dynamic workforce. CareerSource’s representatives are easily accessible, located on base, understand the military lifestyle, focus on portable careers, and recognize the challenges spouses face. careersourcenortheastflorida.com/military_spouses 06 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
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hat image comes to mind when you think of a Veteran? If you envision an older man wearing his garrison cap, you are not alone. Movies and other mass media have excelled in representing the majority, but what happens to women after service? One local Veteran Service Organization (VSO) is striving to increase awareness and meet the unique needs of this growing demographic. Since 2012, Northeast Florida Women Veterans (NFWV) has been helping women successfully transition from military service to civilian life. Air Force Veteran Deloris “Dee” Quaranta founded the organization after seeing countless needs remain unmet: basic care for homeless women Veterans, childcare for single mothers, counseling and support groups for women overcoming trauma, and training for those starting their civilian careers, among others. “I went and asked some of the community agencies that already existed if they could try to include something for women Veterans in their program, but no one had the funds or no one was interested or they didn’t see a need,” Quaranta said. “So I decided to step out and do it myself.” According to Quaranta, Florida is home to the second-largest population of women Veterans, with Northeast Florida having the largest population in the state. NFWV has launched several programs over the years to meet these women where they are on their journeys, the longest-running and most comprehensive of which is HerTOTALWellness. The organization launched this six-week program after researching the needs of women Veterans in the region with the University of Florida. The findings were published in 2015, and HerTOTALWellness has been transforming lives ever since. One characteristic of Quaranta and her team is they have a passion for people, so when they commit to someone, they see them through. Natalie Marcano-Sidberry’s story exemplifies this. Quaranta met Marcano-Sidberry at a Stand Down event a few years ago, when the Clara White Mission had recently accepted Marcano-Sidberry into its Boulevard House. Before then, she was living out of her car. When she had to have surgery in Gainesville, she recovered on worn-down seats instead of freshly washed sheets. And then she crossed paths with NFWV. She enrolled in HerTOTALWellness, graduated from the program, and realized her journey with the nonprofit was just beginning. “[Marcano-Sidberry] has been such a blessing, and everybody knows her. All of our community partners know her; they know her story. She is passionate about helping
How one VSO is paving the way for better care for the fastest-growing Veteran demographic. by Courtney Stringfellow these women Veterans, and she’s been there and done that,” Quaranta said. “She’s always telling her story, just to let women understand that you don’t have to stay in the situation that you’re in—there’s hope.” NFWV has countless transformation stories, and its team has remained steadfast in its mission and dedication to these women, even when it meant making personal sacrifices. Team members spent the better part of seven years essentially serving as full-time employees without pay. “We all laugh about it, but we’re so grateful. We don’t complain about anything we get,” Quaranta said. “We learned how to help each other, you know? We would buy each other’s lunch, if somebody had some extra money, somebody needed a bill paid, we tried to do that through our supportive services fund. We did what we had to do to stay afloat. All of us had to just depend on one another, because we all have our own households. But these ladies—I am so grateful to have them.” Grants from and partnerships with organizations such as the Jaguars Foundation, Women’s Giving Alliance, Deloris Barr Weaver Fund, Florida Blue Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project and more have allowed NFWV to perfect and build off its existing programming, as well as provide some compensation to its staff when available. Quaranta wanted to launch HerBIZ and HerHEALTHYLife this year, but 2020 has delayed those projects. HerBIZ, which will guide 10 women from rock bottom to business owners, will require approximately $20,000 each year. As of now, NFWV has been able to allocate roughly half of that amount to that project. “You know, with COVID and not knowing where our next dime is coming from, hopefully we’ll be able to let it sit there so that we can start that program. We just don’t know,” Quaranta said. “Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty. And not only that, it would have to be virtual, so we’ll see.” For more information on how to support NFWV, or if you know someone who might be interested in its programs, call (904) 862-6039 or visit For WomenVets.Org. For those shopping online, remember to switch your Amazon web address to Smile. Amazon.Com and choose Northeast Florida Women Veterans Inc from the database for a percentage of your purchase to be donated to the nonprofit.
Liberty Feature
BECOMING A CIVILIAN
One Veteran’s mission to ensuring a successful transition experience
by Stephanie Thompson
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magine: You’re an E-6 who has been in the military for 20 years. You’ve been trying to make E-7 for years, but there just haven’t been many open positions, so you haven’t reached that milestone. Now it’s time to retire. Where did the time go? As retirement looms, you wonder: what will I do? What kind of job can I get? Can I make good money? What are my skills? Will companies want to hire an E-6? What about my family? Where will we live? Will my spouse be able to find employment? Are we going to be able to pay the bills? There is so much information that you become overwhelmed. You don’t know who to talk to or even where to start. Your confidence wanes. Your stress level rises. You feel inadequate, as though you are not ready to be a civilian but no longer have the option of waiting a bit longer. Time is not slowing down for you. What do you do? Former Ocean Systems Technician First Class Petty Officer Patty Piazza asked these same questions when she retired from he Navy in 2002. Since then, she has dedicated her career to helping Servicemembers transition to civilian life, alleviating the overwhelming and helping them recognize and capitalize on opportunities. She is currently serving as the Jacksonville Program Manager for Onward to Opportunity. Piazza’s Navy career included overseas tours in Wales, Iceland, and Rota, Spain. She was also stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes and very much enjoyed it. “I really love that environment. Just seeing the people when you started with them and what they look like when they were walking out the classroom door.” Her first job upon retirement, which she
held for 10 years, was as a military and family advocate with CareerSource. At the time, this was a new program that “helped Veterans find meaningful careers, not just jobs.” Piazza has been a member of the Florida Defense Alliance since 2003 and was the chairperson from 2007-2012. Though she had already been working on behalf of Veterans for several years, this position was her “cannonball dive into advocating for military and families.” In 2014, Piazza started working for the Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC) at Mayport Naval Station. “I felt like a hypocrite telling everybody to get out and grow but I was in the same position for 10 years, so I went to FFSC.” Nine months after starting her new position, Dan Savage came to town actively seeking somebody to start the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program in the region. Piazza hadn’t heard of it and wasn’t particularly interested in learning more. “I didn’t want to go to the meeting, but went and had an eye-opening moment that I could absolutely do this.” She volunteered on the spot, knowing without a doubt that she had to be the one to bring this program to life. O2O offers training in career, vocations, and entrepreneurship to post-9/11 Veterans and active-duty military spouses, as well as tailored programs to Veterans of all eras. It is the pinnacle of all Piazza has been doing since retirement. “It was a fantastic fit because it broke down some of the barriers families were dealing with.” Piazza has been instrumental in serving military members and their families with realism as they transition out of the military. “People need a reality check to rely on the skills they bring to an employer. You’re a
commodity. Market yourself as a product to that company.” This view in no way diminishes a Servicemembers contributions while on active duty. It is a sensible approach that aligns with the way the civilian workforce approaches employment. At O2O, “We ask rank to know what [each person] may have had access to, not to wonder what their abilities are to do a job. We tell today’s transitioning members to leave your rank at the door because the civilian world doesn’t care—they want to know your abilities. Rank is a label that people have a hard time overcoming. It impacts how they can thrive in the civilian world.” Though many people may not realize it, “O5s and O6s struggle just as much as E5s and E6s when it comes to getting work outside the military.” The transition from military to civilian is challenging for everybody; rank or years in service make no difference to the fact of this challenge. All people need to be prepared. “Take the blinders off. Your rank doesn’t matter. Nobody cares about your EVAL or your ribbons. Who you are and your skill sets matter the most.” Whether you have been in the military for one year, 25 years, or anywhere in between, you will transition out, either when you separate or retire. Civilian life is in your future. Over the years, Piazza has seen recurring themes in the challenges transitioning members face. Not having a transition plan is “one of the biggest problems. [People]
have no plan. They don’t do research. They don’t self-assess, to narrow down a starting point. Otherwise it’s completely overwhelming and they cast this huge wide net to catch some fish, then end up with something they don’t like. ”Start building your plan a year and a half before you intend to leave the military. This gives you time to assess your skills and interests. “Have a plan. Too many people have no idea what they want to do, or what makes them happy.” Take the time to determine these things for yourself. Set your transition experience up for success. “A lot of people think they have to do this alone, and that isn’t true. There are so many resources. A very well connected network of programs and resources are readily available. Just tell us the issue and we can hand you off to the organization that can help. It’s like this perception of weakness if you ask for help, and that just isn’t true.” In summary, Piazza has been a tremendous help to the Liberty Coast’s transitioning Servicemembers and their families. She has made it her life’s work to advocate for Veterans, and her passion is made clear by her being in the trenches every day. Her work with people helps build their confidence. Piazza shows Servicemembers and spouses that they are capable of doing so much more than they may have imagined. If you will be transitioning soon, don’t miss the opportunity to find your success with Piazza’s guidance.
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Liberty Picks PROVIDED BY THEVETERANCOMPASS.ORG
FOOD, FAMILY, AND CONVERSATIONS Veteran-owned Mackey’s Munchies brings joy to the Liberty Coast
by Courtney Stringfellow
Like A Boss Transitioning Like A Milspouse
Join Blue Star Families for this monthly virtual workshop where you’ll get the career tools and resources you’ll need to make your transition out of the military with your spouse a much smoother experience. 1-2 p.m. Monday, July 27, bluestarfam.org, free.
Crack The Code Geocaching Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month with an adventure. Your mission: find all seven hidden caches, unscramble the word, and submit your entry to MWR Kings Bay’s Facebook Messenger. Each entry will be included in a raffle for a $50 MWR gift certificate. Through Friday, July 31, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, navymwrkingsbay.com/events, free, must have base access.
Aerospace Week Blue Star Summer Camp—The Home Edition
Keep your elementary-aged milkids (6-11 years old) engaged, busy and active while social distancing. Monday and Wednesday will feature a selection of self-directed activities, such as virtual museum tours. Friday is “Campfire” day. Must register to attend. 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday, July 27-31, bluestarfam.org/for-mil-families/summer-camp, free. 08 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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ituated just north of Fleming Island, in Clay County’s Lakeside neighborhood, is a piece of New Orleans. With a kitchen for creating, tables for gathering, a quaint library for learning, and space for dialogue, Mackey’s Munchies is all about bringing people together. Navy Veterans Brandye and Brian Mackey first met in Norfolk, Va. Brandye served as a plane captain, and Brian served as a mess management specialist (now known as a culinary specialist). The two married in August 1998 and have been sharing a love for food, family, and community ever since. ”We create memories every day, and some of them we don’t remember, because we’re so busy making new ones,” Brandye said. “I’m very proud of my husband. He’s an amazing chef, so he can make pretty much anything, and he’s very talented. He chose to use the cuisine that makes him feel closer to home, and I get the opportunity to introduce it to people every day.” Brian grew up in Louisiana, hence the cajun and creole cuisine, and his passion for creating wholesome meals only increased after service. According to Brandye, her husband was cooking such large quantities of food at home that they would often bring the surplus to their neighbors and anyone else who might be hungry. “My husband, you know, being on the aircraft carriers and cooking for large amounts of people, he was always overcooking a lot of stuff. We would have so much food left over…I was like, ‘This is crazy. I’m getting too chunky, too,’” Brandye said with a laugh. “And I’m the business person, so I was like, ‘We could make some money and sell some dinners with the overage that you’re cooking.’” The couple started Mackey’s Munchies in Colorado in the early 2000s. As their family grew, so did the restaurant. But after living in Colorado for several years, the Mackeys decided it was time for a change. “We had some friends that we had met in the Navy that lived here, and Mr. Mackey did not like the snow in Colorado. And so we wanted to move somewhere warmer, and we picked Florida,” Brandye said. “Louisiana has too many bugs.” When the family relocated to Northeast Florida in 2009, they noticed a void in their community. As Brandye explained, it was difficult to find a good cajun restaurant and a place that truly made customers feel at home. In 2012, just a few years after relocating, they relaunched the family business in Fleming Island. The space was sufficient for about six years. As the years ticked by, however, it became clearer that the Mackeys would need to move if they wanted to continue to reach more people, and they saw that opportunity in a space off Blanding Boulevard. It was a year in the making, but the family finally made Ridgecrest Plaza home in 2019. The kitchen is twice the size of the previous one, and the Mackeys are able to serve more people because of the restaurant’s proximity to a major roadway. They even have space for their “Little Lagniappe Library,” which is open to all who are in need of a good book or those wanting to share another one. “We have a little free library here that focuses on a little extra, which the little extra is we look for books that talk about culture, Black history, Asian, Hispanic—you know, things that talk about different cultures,” Brandye said, “where you can feel like you belong.” Anyone who’s met the Mackeys or who follows the family on social media can see they have a passion for people, and that extends to their food offerings. Picky eater? They’ve got chicken tenders and fries. Weird taste buds? You can mix it up with crawfish and mac and cheese. But for those in the mood for some fresh cajun or creole dishes, there’s nothing like a po boy or an order of jambalaya to take you back to New Orleans. Whether you’re looking for your new go-to eatery or you’re just passing through, remember to stop by Mackey’s Munchies and say hello. Regardless of where you are in life, acceptance is waiting just past the pergola. “Our place is a place where we would like to make everybody feel welcome, and in the times of COVID and the times of just current relationships in the world with race issues, what we’ve tried to create here with food is it doesn’t discriminate. Cont... next page
Cont... Everybody has to eat,” Brandye said. “Whether you’re rich, you’re poor, you’re Black, you’re white, you’re Army, you’re Navy, you’re Air Force, it’s a common denominator; you have to eat. And if the food is good, it can make you sit down for a minute and enjoy what you’re doing. You can sit down and have a conversation.”
Liberty Calendar
C l a s s A’ s Fifth Wheels To w a b l e s To y H a u l e r s
Community
JACKSONVILLE VIRTUAL GAME NIGHT Enjoy trivia, charades, drawing and more with social distancers in your community. 9 p.m. Wednesday -Tuesday, July 22-28, eventbrite.com, free. RUN CLUB Take a jog through the heart of Mandarin and wind down at a local draft and bottle shop. Even better: runners get half-off their first post-jog beer. 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, Jax Craft Beer, 9825 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 18, Mandarin, facebook.com/jaxcraftbeer, free. MAKE YOUR GARDEN A HABITAT Garden Club of Jacksonville and Bill Berthet of Julington Creek guide gardeners on their journeys to growing thriving environments for butterflies and other pollinators. Must register to attend this Zoom meeting. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, gardenclubjax.org, free. SUMMER READING PROGRAM Read, or be read to, at least an hour a week to be entered into gift card drawings. Readers who earn all challenge badges will also be entered into a final gift card drawing. Program open to Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and Department of Defense-affiliated readers of any age. Register as an individual or family through August 31, dodvirtualsrp.beanstack.org/reader365, free.
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Is your RV sitting in storage?
Let us sell it for you! Consignments Welcome 4127 Highway 17 South, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
904-859-0691
SKIES OVER JACKSONVILLE Museum of Science and History, Jacksonville, takes milkids and their families on an interactive virtual field trip. Email nasjaxcommrec@navy.mil for questions and to register for the Zoom event. 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, navymwrjacksonville.com, free, must have base access. VIRTUAL STORY TIME NAS Jacksonville hosts weekly story times with special guests in conjunction with the DoD’s Summer Reading Program. Tune in each week through July to hear a different children’s book. Remember to log each reading for your chance to win prizes. Through August 7, navymwrjacksonville.com/virtual-story-time, free.
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay GOLF CLINICS Whether you’ve played a few rounds or you’re new to the sport, this weekly event gives Servicemembers the opportunity to learn new skills during these 60-90-minute classes. Call to register. Men practice 3 & 4 p.m. Thursday, July 23; women practice 9 a.m. & 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, Trident Lakes Golf Club, 1010 USS Proteus Blvd., Bldg. 163, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, navymwrkingsbay.com, 912-573-8475, $5, must have base access. LADIES’ GOLF DAY Mingle at tee time with fellow women in the military community. Call with questions. 8:20 a.m. Thursdays & Tuesdays, Trident Lakes Golf Club, 1010 USS Proteus Blvd., Bldg. 163, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, navymwrkingsbay.com, 912-573-8475, regular admission prices, must have base access.
Submariner’s Favorite Lunch Spot! Veteran owned and operated since 2014
912-576-3645
Naval Station Mayport ONLINE STORYTIME MWR Mayport’s Sarah Barthelemy hosts these weekly readings for children ages five and younger. Find previous storytimes on the discussion tab of the event. 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, facebook.com/mwrmayport, free.
1840 Osborn St., St. Mary’s GA LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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Liberty Resources
Liberty Puzzle
LIBERTY PUZZLE
Five Star Veterans Center
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Assisting Veteran’s transition to living independently Five Star Veterans Center provides homeless Veterans with safe housing, supportive services, and on-site mental health counseling to successfully transition back into the workforce and living independently in a place they call home. Focusing on Veterans aged 22 - 55 suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Depression, Anxiety and other related mental health issues, they serve Veterans with honorable and general under honorable discharges. 5StarVeteranCenter.Com, 40 Acme Street, Jacksonville, FL 32211, 904.723.5950
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Blue Star Families
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7 USS Detroit ceased approx. 1,780 kg of this before returning from U.S. 4th Fleet's area of operations 8 Assault ship that caught fire at Naval Base San Diego mid-July 9 Jax could become the headquarters for this new branch of the military 10 Incoming commander for Naval Submarine Support Center, Kings Bay 11 125th Fighter Wing is stationed at this Air Force organization's local base
1 Number of bases that make up the Liberty Coast 2 Town in Spain where the USS Carney was stationed for five years 3 Founder of Northeast Fla. Women Veterans served in this branch 4 First major conflict of Cold War, remembered on July 27 5 Region connecting military community in Northeast Fla. and Southeast Ga. 6 NAS Jax squadron operating C-130T Hercules aircraft
ACROSS DOWN 7 Cocaine 10 Ron Allen 1 Seven 4 Forgotten War 8 Bonhomme Richard 11 FANG 2 Rota 5 Liberty Coast 9 Space Force 3 Air Force 6 Nomads
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Strengthening military families – to create vibrant communities Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Their innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing. Bluestarfam.org, Jacksonville@bluestarfam.org
Side By Side Solutions, LLC
Expert help with SSDI for Veterans Side By Side Solutions, LLC works to empower Veterans to navigate the complex Social Security Disability process in a way that increases their chances of approval and minimizes their chances of denial. With insider knowledge, we give Veterans a specific step by step plan of action for their SSDI claim to maximize your chances of approval. 888.882.2855, sidebysidesolutionsllc@gmail.com
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250 extra BC’s on order of 1,000 cards or $20 off your first order of $200 or more. One offer per coupon.
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(904) 772-8301 10 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville
Last week, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville rescued two people aboard a sinking vessel 19 miles east of Port Canaveral. Using a helicopter and boat, they located the vessel, rescued the occupants, dewatered the vessel, and towed it back to BluePoints Marina. A situation that could have ended very badly for the two people onboard instead became a story of thanks and relief due to the quick response of the Coast Guard. We salute you, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville!
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LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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2004 DODGE VIPER SRT10
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$59,900
Jacksonville’s Premier Luxury Pre-Owned Automobile Dealership Since 1986 SHOWROOM HOURS
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6373 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
2013 KIA SOUL
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2016 HYUNDAI SONATA ECO
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2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.4
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2018 KIA OPTIMA S
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$16,500
$19,300
$15,000
G440095A
LOW MILES
P574860
$17,000
Z044737
$19,500
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$15,500
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$18,000
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$20,500
$15,800 2018 HONDA ACCORD LX
G414571A
LOW MILES
2017 KIA OPTIMA SXL
G160175
$13,500 2016 KIA OPTIMA EX
2018 KIA SPORTAGE LX
2017 KIA NIRO EX
5057772
$12,800
2019 KIA FORTE LXS
2017 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SEL
2017 NISSAN ROGUE SV
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N138587
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LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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2006 MAZDA MAZDA6 S
$3,998
2007 MAZDA MAZDA6 I SPORT VE
MLM133725A
2010 HONDA CIVIC LX
$4,400 2009 TOYOTA VENZA
$4,989
L1813246C
$9,025
2014 BMW 228I
$9,914
ML1155703A
MK1631101A
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT
$15,790
MJ1303246A
2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE LT
$20,153
ML0420368A
ML0803106A
$9,997
MLM132724A
ML0423131B
LM129738A
2019 MAZDA MAZDA3
$20,240
$9,071
ML1791907A
$10,279
MP6M454910
$14,719
MLM127767A
2017 INFINITI QX50
$18,313
$25,968
ML0786719A
$9,094
ML1522345A
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED
$11,780
ML1523892A
2018 DODGE JOURNEY SE
$15,447
MPJT296164
2019 MAZDA MAZDA3
MPHM380586
2018 HONDA CR-V TOURING
MKM106318
$4,749 2013 FORD FUSION SE
2016 MAZDA CX-3 AWD TOURING
2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 SPORT
$16,487
MPDS112460B
2006 NISSAN 350Z ROADSTER TOURING
2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
$13,934
$4,600
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS 3.2L
2012 HONDA CIVIC LX
2012 FORD F-150
2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER TURBO
$12,990
ML0418147A
2005 SCION TC
MK0571770A
$19,998
MKM108366
2019 RAM 1500 BIG HORN/LONE STAR 4X4
$37,662
MPKN874018
*Not all buyers will qualify. With approved credit. Does not include tax, tag, title or dealer fees. See dealer for full details.
904-562-1600
14 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
10681 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
LAND ROVER JACKSONVILLE 2019 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN COOPER
P4772Q
2016 AUDI Q3 PREMIUM PLUS
P4842
$17,994
LA630846A
LA724132A
LOW MILES, LOADED!
2014 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA
$22,991
$24,991
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD SPORT
P4838
$26,991
$29,992
Thank You For Your Service
2015 BMW X5 XDRIVE35I
LOW MILES, 2 TO CHOOSE!
$27,991
LOW MILES, LOADED!
2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN LT
$31,991
$23,993
LA728921A
P4822
ONLY 15K MILES, LOADED!
LOW MILES, LOADED!
2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED
2018 LEXUS ES 350
LN833920A
ONLY 29K MILES!
$23,991
P4839
SHOWROOM CONDITION!
2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 LUXURY
LA729287C
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$27,991
2019 FORD EXPEDITION LIMITED
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*Not all buyers will qualify. With approved credit. Does not include tax, tag, title or dealer fees. See dealer for full details.
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$16,990
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2015 LEXUS ES350 350
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2020 BMW M4
PE1126
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2014 PORSCHE BOXSTER S
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2018 PORSCHE BOXSTER
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2010 PORSCHE PANAMERA S
$54,990
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2020 ACURA NSX
LK289427A
171 MILES!
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$34,990
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2019 PORSCHE 911 TURBO
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866-764-8061 LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | JULY 22, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 2
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