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Liberty Life
FEBRUARY 24, 2021//VOL.1 ISSUE 13
CONTENTS
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4 Modern Rosie the Riveter 6 Medal of Honor ties to The Liberty Coast 8 A Motivational Doer: The One-armed Archer 14 News & Info 15 Local Brew Prevents Veteran Suicide 16 Calendar & Live Music 18 Liberty Favorites 20 The Navy’s Finest Air Station 22 The Liberty Coast: The American Legion 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
Assistant Editor Courtney Stringfellow AEditor@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Art Director Sarah McLaughlin ArtDirector@LibertyLifeMedia.Com
Graphic Design Susan Jones U.S. Army Veteran Spouse Sr. Contributor Reuben Keith Green, U. S. Navy Veteran Automotive Advertising Staci Edwards Manager@AutoSourceWeekly.com
There are a plethora of examples of people who make our world brighter for their presence in it, even if we have never actually met the catalyst for our motivation. Some of those influencers are really symbols, rather than individuals, like Rosie the Riveter.
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She encouraged a generation of women to step into roles that had previously not been open to them, and in so doing rallied communities together in the pursuit of one cause: freedom. Rosie was every woman, not merely a singular person who others wished they could be. We are fortunate that The Liberty Coast is home to so many people who are strong, galvanizing others with the examples they set by living life true to their beliefs. If we let them, these people can act as mirrors to our own perspectives, causing us to question that which we were so sure of just yesterday, and opening a space for personal growth. One person you may not know about is Gabe George. He embraces new challenges and learns new skills with a refreshing and light-hearted energy that the average person rarely witnesses. And to further provoke matters for the observer, George is not working with an average set of circumstances, leaving us bystanders to wonder what changes we can make to live our own lives more fully. You can read more about George on page 8. So, go ahead. Make your list. Post it where you know you’ll see it. Let your inspiration rise each day, and, slowly, you’ll realize you are becoming that person you initially only wished you could be. On Base • In Town • Pro-Military Stephanie Thompson U. S. Navy Mustang Veteran Editor I Liberty Life Media
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Great Food, Great Music and most importantly
“WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER!” Modern Rosie the Riveter on The Liberty Coast
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arch 21 is dedicated to celebrating an allegorical American cultural icon from World War II: Rosie the Riveter. The photo we have all come to associate with this proactive lady is from the “We Can Do It!” poster. The painting illustrates a woman wearing a red and white polka-dot bandana and flexing her right arm while rolling up the blue sleeve of her work uniform. What is less obvious is that this image originally had nothing to do with Rosie the Riveter. The image was designed by J. Howard Miller in 1942 for Westinghouse Corporation, to be displayed for a two-week period in February 1943, in a succession of many other posters meant to boost morale and increase productivity in their midwestern factories.
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The campaign was internal to the company; the only people who saw the posters were those working in the Westinghouse factories, likely making helmet liners, not using riveters. Once the two-week period ended, the poster was put away, making room for the next poster that would take its place. The first artwork actually depicting Rosie the Riveter was designed by Norman Rockwell and was widely distributed on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943. It seems Rockwell may have gotten his inspiration from the upbeat and catchy song “Rosie the Riveter,” released in early 1943, written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb and performed by the Four Vagabonds (check it out on YouTube!). Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage Sitting up there on the fuselage That little frail can do more than a male can do Rosie the Riveter Then, two verses later: Everyone stops to admire the scene Rosie at work on the B-Nineteen She’s never twittery, nervous or jittery Rosie the Riveter Rockwell’s painting is less well known due to its copyright protections. After his death, Rockwell’s estate would not release the photo, so it didn’t have the opportunity to be as widespread. While the history behind the war-time poster is fascinating, did you know that the COVID-19 pandemic inspired a modern Rosie the Riveter in St. Augustine? Rather than a painting, the image is a photograph of Lindy Loose, co-owner of Gas Full Service Restaurant along with her husband, Ben. For years, the restaurant has worked closely with Pie in the Sky, a charity that buys and donates groceries to low-income seniors of St. Johns County. The events of 2020 increased the need for Pie in the Sky services, which ultimately grew its offerings by working with local restaurants to deliver meals to seniors. Pie in the Sky Director Malea Guiriba was inspired by her memories of women coming together during WWII to support the larger community. The thought of it struck a chord with her when she realized that the pandemic had caused the same need for the community to rally together in support of one another. She then asked Loose to pose as a modern-day Rosie, sporting a new catchphrase: “We’re all in this together!” Though nearly a year has passed since the photo was taken, her message rings just as true today. We are, indeed, all in this together.
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NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY Recipient ties to The Liberty Coast SM
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Of the thousands of honorees, six have called Jacksonville home, one was born here, and one grew up in St. Augustine. A ninth recipient—though from Clearwater, Fla.—has a special tie to The Liberty Coast: The Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) at Naval Station Mayport was dedicated to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert “Doc” Ingram on March 26, 2004. President William J. Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to Ingram on June 10, 1998, for serving above and beyond the call of duty at clear risk to his own life on March 28, 1966. His award citation states:
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“...the platoon ranks were decimated. Oblivious to the danger, Petty Officer Ingram crawled across the bullet spattered terrain to reach a downed Marine. As he administered aid, a bullet went through the palm of his hand. Calls for “CORPSMAN” echoed across the ridge. “Bleeding, he edged across the fire-swept landscape, collecting ammunition from the dead and administering aid to the wounded. Receiving two more wounds before realizing the third wound was life-threatening, he looked for a way off the face of the ridge, but again he heard the call for corpsman and again, he resolutely answered. Though severely wounded three times, he rendered aid to those incapable until he finally reached the right flank of the platoon. “While dressing the head wound of another corpsman, he sustained his fourth bullet wound. From sixteen hundred hours until just prior to sunset, Petty Officer Ingram pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines. Enduring the pain from his many wounds and disregarding the probability of his demise, Petty Officer Ingram’s intrepid actions saved many lives that day.” You can learn more about the stories of the following MoH recipients with ties to The Liberty Coast at HomeOfTheHeroes.com. Hometown of Jacksonville
• Second Lt. (Air Corps) Robert Edward Femoyer, U.S. Army Air Forces, WWII, Nov. 2, 1944 • Staff Sgt. Hammet Lee Bowen, Jr., U.S. Army, Vietnam War, June 27, 1969 • Pfc. Bruce Wayne Carter, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War, Aug. 7, 1969 • Pfc. Robert Henry Jenkins, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War, March 5, 1969 • Lt. [then Lieutenant Junior Grade] Clyde Everett Lassen, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, June 19, 1968 • Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Sims, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, Feb. 21, 1968
Hometown of St. Augustine
• Sgt. Clarence Milville Condon, U.S. Army, Philippine Insurrection, Nov. 5, 1899
Connection to Jacksonville
• Lt. Thomas Rolland Norris, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, April 10-13, 1972. Currently living in Idaho, hometown of Silver Spring, Md., born in Jacksonville, Fla. • Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert R. Ingram, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, March 28, 1966. From and currently living in Clearwater, Fla. Naval Branch Health Clinic Mayport was dedicated to Ingram on March 26, 2004.
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George grew up in a small town outside of Houston, Texas. As he approached his high school graduation, George knew he wanted to get away from his neighborhood, but he didn’t quite know what path he would take to achieve that. His older brother had already joined the Air Force, so he considered that route. And then a Navy recruiter reached out to him. “They approached me and said you can come and play basketball for us, and you don’t have to do nothing, that’s it. And I was young and naive at the time, and I believed that recruiter, and I was like, ‘Okay, let’s go do it,’” George said. “So about a month or two after high school, that’s when I set off and joined the Navy, not knowing anything about boats, and the ocean, and I couldn’t even swim at the time.” He began his Navy career as an undesignated seaman at Naval Station Mayport in 2004, hoping he would figure out what he wanted to do along the way. Soon after he arrived at his first duty station, he decided to strike for corpsman. After attending corpsman school, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During the course of the next few years, he became an anesthesia technician working in operating rooms, witnessed the role of the U.S. military in the Caribbean, and made plans for the future. Then came April 1, 2008, when everything changed.
A
21-year-old George pulled out of his church’s parking lot before his friend did that evening. They planned to meet at the movies, but she turned around and went home when she came upon heavy traffic. Later, when she saw George’s story on the news, she realized the traffic was from a near-fatal accident he had been involved in. George suffered amnesia as a result, and doesn’t remember any of the events from that evening. Months later, during the court hearing, he learned from the other driver what occurred. “[The driver] told me he was going through a light, and he thought another car hit him, and he got out and he saw me laid out. He thought I was gone, and he fell on his knees and grabbed my ankles and started praying for me,” George said. “I remember asking him, ‘Dude, what church do you go to?’ And he said, ‘I don’t even go to church. I was just, oh my God…you were young, and I saw your body, and…’ I told him, ‘Man, I appreciate that, because you could’ve saved my life that night.’”
Y A MOTIVATIONAL DOER How the one-armed archer took control of his future
by Courtney Stringfellow
A
pril Fools’ Day fell on a Tuesday in 2008. It was the year of the Great Recession, the month Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States, and the day that changed the course of a Navy corpsman’s life.
Gabriel “Gabe” George had recently returned to Jacksonville from an enlightening six-month deployment in Cuba, was approaching his reenlistment date, and was preparing to sign up for Fleet Marine Force School when fate intervened. He was making the most of his days; if he wasn’t at work, he was at church or riding his motorcycle. “Life was a little nice and mysterious at the time,” George remembers. That Tuesday was progressing as smoothly as each one before it: George went to work, he met his friend’s mom to give her some CD’s, and he drove to church. But he never made it to the movie theatre that evening. 08 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
George had been approaching an intersection when the driver of the SUV made a u-turn in front of him. The reason George said the driver could’ve saved his life that night is because he was pronounced dead at the scene. They were preparing to put George in a body bag when he rose up. The EMTs rushed him to the ICU, and he was in a medically-induced coma for three weeks. He had suffered a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and a brachial plexus injury, which paralyzed his right arm. George remembers being optimistic at the beginning of his recovery and realizing how close to death he had been. Then, bit by bit, life started crashing down around him. “I was away from work for 60 to 90 days. And then they tried to have me come back for a couple of weeks, and then they realized, ‘Well your arm is paralyzed. You can’t do what you do,’” George recalled. “They tried to have me on payroll for a while, but then they were like, ‘Well, we don’t want you driving with all these pain pills that you’re taking.’ And then they told me to stop coming into work. And then one day it was, okay, you’re no longer in the Navy.” After the Navy medically retired him, George moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with his younger brother. He lived there for nearly five years, volunteering for a local church and focusing on healing. But his experiences of essentially being alone in another city after being surrounded by a family of Sailors proved to be disheartening and discouraging. “It was the civilian mindset versus the military mindset that was eating me alive,” George said. “I was just me, going to new places thinking I could help everybody and save the world and, yeah, it was challenging, to say the least.” Despite the hard lessons he learned through being taken advantage of, George persevered, promising himself things would get better. His daughter was born
Becoming a Paralympian is a goal that’s kept George motivated to stick with archery, especially on the bad days. When George discovered the sport, he still had his right arm. From the beginning, he was determined he would regain use of it in time, despite advice from his Navy doctor to amputate it. But after a decade and several surgeries, it became clear he wouldn’t. As George became more active, his arm became a liability. He shattered his humerus snowboarding in 2020, had broken his wrist the year before, and would accidentally burn his arm while cooking. When he would scuba dive at wreckage sites, he had to continuously monitor his right arm to ensure it wasn’t touching or being damaged by debris. And although his arm was paralyzed, it was still hypersensitive to changes in the weather. In older interviews, you can see him with a blanket draped over his right shoulder. Finally, he met with Dr. B. Hudson “Hud” Berrey at Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and had him amputate it in February of 2020. But he still experiences pain at the site. “I have nerve pain and muscle spasms constantly. So some days, especially when it rains, my body wants to curl up on itself, I feel like a pretzel, the hulk is squishing me, and I’m being electrocuted,” George said. “So it makes it challenging to flex out and stretch out and really do what I need to do.”
the same year as his accident. As she got older, she wanted her dad to bring her to school and spend more time with her near her mom in Jacksonville. So he moved back to Jacksonville. After relocating, he was invited to Wounded Warrior Project’s Project Odyssey, where he was introduced to Brooks Rehabilitation’s adaptive sports program. His outlook on life and human relationships shifted. He went cycling with Brooks’ adaptive sports group and soon after was invited to the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in California.
Dr. Nath discussed the dorsal root injury zone (DREZ) procedure, which very few doctors had ever successfully executed. It involves creating an opening in the spine and burning nerve endings, and the risks outweighed the potential rewards for George. The only other remedy Dr. Nath’s patients reported having positive results and an increased quality of life from: cannabis. George initially rejected the idea, concerned he would lose both his VA benefits and respect from his family and church community. He also couldn’t risk the criminal aspect, and he didn’t even know where to get cannabis from if he wanted to. He was still living in Georgia when he reached a turning point.
“...there were sparks flying and
light bulbs going off. And finally, I was like, ‘Yes, I can live
“
“At the time, I was like, you know what? I’m up to it. I’ll try something new. I’ll go ahead. And so I went to that event in San Diego, and the way they set it up, it was just one thing after another, and there were sparks flying and light bulbs going off. And finally, I was like, ‘Yes, I can live,’” George said. “It made me feel good to move and do things again.”
After the accident, George was released from the hospital with “a bag full of pills.” He was still in pain, even with the medicine, but his mind was essentially numb. When he had his nerve transfer surgery in Houston, Texas, years later, George told his surgeon, Dr. Rahul Nath, pain was one of his main concerns.
“I remember [my daughter and I] were in the apartment one day, and I was hurting pretty bad, and she would say, ‘Daddy, daddy, can we go outside? Daddy, can we go outside?’ And I snapped and screamed,
During that week-long clinic, he participated in several sports, such as surfing, sailing, and cycling, among others. Of course, the one that hit the target was archery. The organizers took the participants to the olympic training facility in Chula Vista, California. From the moment he entered, George had a good feeling about the place, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to learn archery with the rest of the group. That’s when Olympic assistant coach Joe Bailey created a spool around the string and told George to bite down to draw. “I bit down, and I pulled back, and I let go. When that arrow hit the target, I was like, woah. I just felt like it was something I could do,” George said. When the clinic ended, he had a purpose. “I went home and I went straight to the bow shop and bought my first bow. I was like, ‘Look, I need something,’ and the guy was just looking at me like, ‘Okay, how are you going to do that?’ I said, ‘I don’t even know, but I’m going to figure this thing out.’” And he did. He started practicing, learned what worked for him, and met some amazing people along the way, including Paralympic gold medalist Andre Shelby. He was the first person who George felt really understood his journey. Shelby was medically retired from the Navy after a 2004 motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He discovered archery in 2008, the year of George’s motorcycle accident, through an adaptive sports program. “I call him my coach/mentor, but he said coaches get paid, so he told me don’t call him coach,” George said with a laugh. “But he’s been helping me, and really taught me everything I know. And he’s inspired me, but also I know he has that title, so, okay he wants to pass it down to somebody too, but I gotta earn it. I gotta really put the work in.” LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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‘Stop!’ That’s all I said. And for me responding that way to her, it scared her, and she looked like she had seen a ghost,” George said. The experience frightened him, too. “I grabbed her and gave her a big hug and told her I was sorry. Then I was like, alright, I have to do something about this pain.” The next day, he called one of his surgeons and got a referral for another surgeon to perform the DREZ procedure. It was the last resort, and it didn’t work. His pain got worse. Finally, he made the decision to pursue the benefits of medical marijuana. To do what was best for him, he had to cut ties with some people in his life. He took the time to find out how using it could impact his VA benefits and discovered he wouldn’t lose them, he just couldn’t be prescribed narcotics. After advocating for legalization and waiting on government officials, he finally got his medical marijuana card. He paid $1,200 for his first recommendation. His next challenge, since discovering adaptive sports, was obtaining a therapeutic use exemption. Without it, athletes can be banned from competing in the Paralympics for four years. He was approved last year.
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Today, George is the vice president of the North Florida chapter of the Weed for Warriors project (Facebook.com/WFWPNorthFL) and volunteers with Team Rubicon, which helps communities rebuild following disasters. He consistently shares resources and information with the community on his Instagram so that others may have a simpler path to wellbeing.
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With regards to his athletic career, he’s spending the next few months training and participating in trials for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which were pushed to August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s also a contestant on the Go Big Show, which was filmed last year, and which readers can find at TBS.com/Shows/Go-Big-Show. When he’s not improving his archery skills, he’s golfing, scuba diving, playing pickleball (which he plans to start competing in this year), and checking things off his bucket list.
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“I still can barely swim, but I’m jumping in the ocean, swimming with sharks, loving these things. I went snowboarding. And I used to call people crazy for snowboarding. I still do it, everytime I get up there. But when I get down the mountain, I’m like, this is the most insane, fun thing in the world that I can imagine,” George said. “There’s still so much I want to do. I still want everybody to experience everything. I still want to share it.” You can follow Gabe’s journey on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @TheOneArmedArcher and at TheOneArmedArcher.com.
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LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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News & Info
VA extends moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures, as well as loan forbearance opportunities
COVID-19 Vaccination Criteria Expanded by North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System The COVID-19 vaccination is now being offered to enrolled Veterans who receive care from the VA in the following categories: • NEW!! Veterans under the age of 65 with high risk conditions that increase the risk of serious, lifethreatening complications from COVID-19: obesity, diabetes, COPD, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, smoking, cancer and heart disease • Veterans over the age of 65 • High risk Veterans: homeless Veterans, hemodialysis patients, solid organ transplant patients or patients enlisted for transplant, and chemotherapy patients • Veterans employed as essential workers: fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff and daycare workers). Documentation Required. Veterans who meet these eligibility criteria can schedule an appointment by calling 352-548-6000 ext. 103755.
Denis McDonough Will Oversee Veterans Administration With a new presidential administration in place, the Senate confirmed Denis McDonough as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) secretary. McDonough was President Barack Obama’s chief of staff and has an extensive career in government and political administration. Though he never served in the armed forces, McDonough has said he feels confident that he can solve the complex challenges faced by the VA. In a message to Veterans and other VA stakeholders, McDonough said “President Biden gave me a clear mission—to be a fierce, staunch advocate for Veterans and their families. His marching order to me is clear: Fight like hell for Veterans.” While some Veteran organizations expressed concern over a non-Veteran VA secretary, many have shared their eagerness to work with the new secretary to continue achieving positive outcomes for Veterans. McDonough pledged to “increase Veterans access to care and benefits.” He will ensure that Veterans are receiving the best assistance and treatment through the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to develop VA services that improve outcomes for all Veterans. He also established that the VA would sharpen efforts to support Veterans who were sexually assaulted while serving in the military. 14 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has extended the COVID-19 related moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, as well as the deadline for VA loan forbearance requests, from March 31 to June 30. VA borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can call 877-827-3702 or visit Benefits.VA.gov and search for “guidance for VA home loan borrowers during COVID-19.”
Coast Guard offering two-year enlistments In addition to the three-year and four-year enlistment contracts, the Coast Guard is now offering a two-year active duty enlistment option for fiscal year 2021. The aim is to meet the needs of the service during the global pandemic, and to grow the Reserve Corps. Recruits who sign up for the two-year enlistment will have the option to remain on active duty by extending their contract, but will first need to be on the waiting list for an “A” school.
Patrol Coastal Ships USS Shamal (PC 13), USS Tornado (PC 14) and USS Zephyr (PC 8) Decommissioned Three Naval Station Mayport-based Patrol Coastal Ships (PCs) were recently decommissioned, having operated well past their designed service life. PCs were designed to patrol coastlines, provide interdiction surveillance, homeland security and work with the U.S. Coast Guard. Among their many accomplishments, USS Zephyr responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and searched for survivors in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010; USS Tornado contributed to the disruption of more than 40 tons of cocaine and two tons of marijuana with an estimated street value of nearly 850 million dollars in 2020; and USS Shamal responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
LOCAL BREW PREVENTS VETERAN SUICIDES
Liberty Never Tasted So Good
Veterans United and The Fire Watch Partner By Bob Buehn
J
acksonville’s own Veterans United (VU) Craft Brewery is supporting The Fire Watch’s fight to end Veteran suicide with a special new brew called WatchStander IPA.
The Fire Watch’s goal is to build an early intervention network of 10,000 “Watch Standers” in Northeast Florida. The Veteran-owned and operated Veterans United recently introduced the New England-style WatchStander IPA. Each pint will be served with a unique coaster containing a QR code linked to the Watch Stander registration page.
Proudly Offering Military Discounts.
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thenian Owl Restaurant, where traditional Greek food is prepared daily using only the freshest ingredients and authentic imported products. We incorporate traditional family recipes with a modern spin, showcasing our passion for cooking. Join us today for lunch or dinner and learn why it is a local favorite for some of the best Greek food in Jacksonville.
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The Watch Stander program is available to everyone in the Northeast Florida community. It takes just 30 seconds to enroll and 30 minutes to train. Those who complete the training and sign a pledge to be vigilant to the concerns of Veterans receive a Watch Stander certificate, a wrist band, a car sticker, and a wallet card. The wallet card is to remind them how to take action when they encounter a Veteran in need. Volunteers are trained to identify risk factors of Veterans in crisis and to direct those Veterans to the help and resources they need.
BRINGING METALS TOGETHER
Nick Howland is a Navy Veteran and executive director of The Fire Watch. He said his goal is to train 10,000 Watch Standers by the end of 2022. The most recent data, from 2018, shows more than 6,000 Veterans committed suicide that year. “The more out there that are trained as Watch Standers, the more Veterans we can prevent from slipping into suicidal ideation,” Howland said. Ron Gamble is the founder, president and brewmaster at Veterans United. He’s also a Navy Veteran. He collaborated with Howland to create the WatchStander IPA, named after the signature program of The Fire Watch. The idea of pairing beer with suicide prevention may seem surprising, but at Veterans United, they are training their employees to be Watch Standers ready to help Veterans who come in and seem to be in need. “We’ve been working with [The Fire Watch] about getting our staff trained and certified as Watch Standers. In our taproom, we have found that Veterans are more willing to openly discuss their feelings and experiences with others over a beer,” Gamble said. “If we could be that one step closer to helping them out, it is a great thing.” Businesses like VU Brew that train their employees will be deemed a Veteran safe space by The Fire Watch. “It’s mobilizing a community force of Veterans and civilians who can be trained to identify those risk signs, ask a Veteran if they need help, and get them to the plethora of resources we have here in Northeast Florida for Veterans,” Howland said. To become a Watch Stander, please visit TheFireWatch.org/Watch-Standers or scan the QR code on the coasters served with the new IPA. To learn more about Veterans United Craft Brewery, please visit VUBrew.com.
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Calendar
Live Music
DR. SEUSS’S 117TH BIRTHDAY PARTY Bring the kids to The CRAB for games, crafts and stories. Plus: participate in the “Seusstastic Read-A-Thon” and help the CRAB reach their goal of reading Dr. Clay In Town/Online Seuss 117 times! 12-2 p.m. Tue., March 2, The THRASHER-HORNE CENTER, 283 College WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION CRAB, NS Kings Bay, free with admission to The Dr., Orange Park The Young Irelanders March 5 CRAB ($2/person), base access required. This annual celebration honors women, their accomplishments, and their contributions to society. WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, GREAT NAVY CAMPOUT Enjoy hiking, This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Olenda E. Fleming Island One Hot Mess March 5; Jimi swimming, stargazing and more at Camp Johnson, Professor of Strategic Leadership and Chowenwaw. Camping equipment provided by Graves March 11; Jason Evans Band March 12; Leader Development at the U.S. Naval War College. Outdoor Adventures. Sat.-Sun., March 13-14, Dixie Highway March 13; Love Monkey AcousNoon, Wednesday, March 3, Outdoor Adventures, 392 Massey Ave., NS tic March 14; Southern Ruckus March 19; Vegas UNF.edu/Womens-Center/Womens_History_Month.aspx, free. Mayport, NavyMWRMaport.com, $8 per adult, Gray March 20; Cliff Dorsey March 21 GATE RIVER RUN The annual run is back in $5 per child (ages 4-17), base access required. waves, with masks required to enter the starting Duval area (can be removed during the run). 15k is sold Veterans and Their Families BLUE JAY LISTENING ROOM, 2457 S. Third out. 5k begins at 10 a.m. Sat., March. 20, Duval St., Jax Beach 3 The Band & Friends March 1; Ray AMERICAN LEGION BALL Northern Area Street, Downtown Jacksonville, GateRiverRun15k. Cmdr. Marie K. Conti invites local legionnaires to this Scott with J.R. Ward March 27 com, $40. annual ball benefitting the Boys State program. Call CLIFF’S BAR & GRILL, 3033 Monument Rd. RECONNECTION WORKSHOPS These Jay Conti Sr. at (352) 287-1400 with questions. The Remains March 5; Julia Gulia March 6; The workshops aim to ease the stress that comes with 5 p.m. Sat., March 6, American Legion Post 129, Party Cartel March 12; Vegas Gray March 26 & 27 changes at home, at work, and within communities. 1151 S. Fourth St., Jax Beach, Facebookcom/ You will be contacted to confirm the date, time, FLORIDA THEATRE, 128 E. Forsyth St. 5thDistrictFLevents, $25. location, and topic after registration. RedCross.org/ Classic Albums Live performs Led Zeppelin II Get-Help/Military-Families/Deployment-Services/ ALR 137 POKER RUN Benefitting the Gary March 12; Canadian Brass March 14; Frankie Register-Reconnection-Workshops Sinise Foundation’s Snowball Express initiative Valli and The Four Seasons March 21; Kenny G serving the children of fallen military heroes. March 23 8:30 a.m. Sun., March 14, American Legion Post Career/Education JERRY’S GRILLE, 13170-22 Atlantic Blvd. 137, 5443 San Juan Ave., Lakeshore, Facebook. SPRING BREAK LIFEGUARD CLASSES Earn com/5thDistrictFLevents, $20 for riders, $10 for Str8 Up March 5; The Party Cartel March 19; Sutton your American Red Cross two-year certification in Duo March 26 passengers. lifeguarding and CPR/AED/Standard First Aid. VETERANS UNITED CRAFT BREWERY, Register at the Base Gym. Must be 15 years or old- CHALLENGE 22 EVENT & WALK Walk to 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104 Derek Maines March er. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., March 8-12 (Duval); raise funds and awareness to stop Veteran suicide. 5; The Bald Eagles March 12; The Acoustics Visit the post after the 2.2-mile walk for more March 15-19 (Clay), Base Gym, Bldg. 614, NAS March 19; The Expedition March 26 Jax, NavyMWRJacksonville.com, $55, base access activities. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., March 27, American Legion Post 129, 1151 S. Fourth St., required. Nassau Jax Beach, Facebook.com/5thDistrictFLevents. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP GREEN TURTLE TAVERN, 14 S. Third St. Attendees will read a short piece of writing, learn ONU CLASS DEADLINE This comprehensive Sweet Sweet March 14 training program will challenge your way of what makes it work, and apply it to their own The PALACE SALOON, 117 Centre St. stories. For military spouses and caregivers. 3:30- thinking, equip you will the tools you need to Houston Keen March 4; Soundwavez March 5 4:30 p.m. Thur., March 11 & 25, BlueStarFam.org/ succeed, and connect you with local HR representatives and senior executives. Deadline Events, free. The SURF, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave. Early McCall to apply for Class 40 is Mon., March 29, March 4; Davis Turner Band March 5 VIRTUAL CAREER & EDUCATION FAIR ONUVets.org, free. Take advantage of the interactive hiring rooms and St. Johns learn about local, national, and international job St. Patrick’s Day WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220 Travis opportunities. Open to transitioning active and Harden The AMP, 1340C A1A S. Aaron Lewis reserve Servicemembers, Veterans, spouses and ST. PATTY’S SLUGGER Participants will be March 6; Al Di Meola March 28 caregivers. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed., March 24; Noonscored based on home runs and targets hit. The top 5 p.m. Thur., March 25, register at USVCC.org, free. male and female will win a gift card. Everyone will The CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St. Ian win a t-shirt. Register by Wed., March 10. 9 a.m. Kelly March 4; T.J. Brown, Carpetbaggers March Servicemembers and Their Families Sat., March 13, Fitness Compex Softball Fields, 6; Jolie, Tony & Alex March 12; Wes Register, tinyurl.com/KBSlugger. Paper City Duo March 19; Tony Scozzaro, Billy NAUTICAL MILE CHALLENGE Run as an Buchanan March 20; Stephen Pigman March 25 VIRTUAL ST. PATRICK’S 5K Complete a 5k individual or gather a team to participate in this during the time frame listed, take a photo of you timed interval running challenge. Run a nautical PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL, 1050 and your tracker, and post them in the event mile (6076 feet) and complete various strength A1A N. Edwin McCain March 13; Shawn Colvin discussion tab or bring them to the Base Gym no intervals along the way. Registration required. March 19 later than 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14, to be eligible to Through March, NavyMWRJacksonville.com/ win prizes. Mon.-Sun., March 8-14, Facebook.com/ PROHIBITION KITCHEN, 119 Saint George Nautical, NavyMWRKingsBay.com/Events, St. Clairmont Duo March 5; El Castillo March 10; NASJaxMWR, free. NavyMWRMayport.com/Nautical, free. Ramona, Kelvin Damrell March 13; Trae Pierce ST. PATRICK’S DAY AT CULHANE’S COSPLAY 101 Learn tricks and methods for & the T-Stones, Sailor Jane & the Swell Acoustics planning and creating cosplays, including working Celebrate with the Legacy Irish Dancers during March 19; John Medico March 24 lunch and The Party Cartel during dinner. 11:30 with EVA foam to build armor. Register at Tickets a.m. (Irish dancers) & 8 p.m. (music) Wed., March TAPS BAR & GRILL, 2220 C.R. 210 West, Ste. & Travel by March 1. 4-5:30 p.m. Tue., March 2, 314 Mandalla March 5; Better Days March 19; 17, Culhane’s Irish Pub, 967 Atlantic Blvd., Community Recreation Center, 241 Baltimore St., Callie Leigh March 24; Bush Doctors Duo Atlantic Beach, Facebook.com/CulhanesIrishPub, NS Mayport, NavyMWRMayport.com, $5, base March 27 free. access required. 16 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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APPRECIATING THEIR SACRIFICES Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Ceremony
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Join various Veterans organizations from around Clay County and the area in remembering and showing appreciation for the Servicemembers who served during the Vietnam War. The ceremony is being held in conjunction with the Clay County Board of Commissioners and will feature a Vietnam Veterans Color Guard. Call David Treffinger at (609) 320-1723 or email DTreffinger433@MSN.com for more details. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 27, TAPS Monument, 915 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, ClayCountyGov.com/Government/Calendar-of-Events, free.
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The annual job fair is MARCH open to transitioning military, Veterans, retirees, SATURDAY, 6 | 10AM-1PM | TPC SAWGRASS reservists,Supported and spouses. Area companies will on-site to discuss by the Jacksonville Military Veterans Coalition, this event isbe open to Military Veterans, Retirees, current PROReservists, Active Duty and Spouses. Area companies with current job openings will be on-site. MILITARY job openings. Wear business casual attire, and remember to bring your MILITARY LIBERTY LIFE RELOCATION Location: The Grove located near THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience mask and copies of your resume. Parking is free in the general parking PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PARTNER Parking: Free parking in the general parking lot located off CR 210 lot off C.R. 210. Address: 5360 Palm Valley Road Ponte Vedra Beach FL, 32082 Attire: BusinessMarch Casual, Masks | Bring: Resume Copies 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 6,Required The Grove near The Players Welcome Experience, 5360 Palm Valley Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, PRO-ClayCountyGov.com/Government/Calendar-of-Events, free. VETERAN
HEALING WITH HUMOR & CAMARADERIE Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike Join active duty Servicemembers, Veterans, GUARD and Reservists on a therapeutic, casual, 4-10 mile walk along the beach to improve mental health and prevent Veteran suicide. Frequent fellowship and refreshment stops. Rucks, boots and weights optional. Volunteers are also welcome. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 27, Post 3270, 915 S. Eighth Ave., Jacksonville Beach, eventbrite.com/e/138152944175, $6.94. 18 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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904-775-4568 LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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NAS JACKSONVILLE The Navy’s finest air station
Written by MC2 (SW/IW) Nick A. Grim, Jax Air News Editor Edited by Liberty Life Staff
Get Ready For Spring Blooms!
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aval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) began 2021 on a high note after being named second in the 2021 Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Installation Excellence Award (IEA) (large category), announced by VADM Yancy Lindsey, CNIC, on January 6. Naval Support Activity Bahrain took first place. CNIC comprises 10 regions and more than 70 bases worldwide. Receiving second place names NAS Jax as the finest naval air station in the world, which exemplifies the high standard of excellence in operations, mission readiness, training and response, as well as the stellar work by our Sailors and civilians. “Not only is this a tremendous achievement,” said Capt. Brian Weiss, NAS Jax commanding officer, “But our placement also gets at the undisputed fact that NAS Jax consistently performs and remains at the top, locking in our position as the number one naval air station in the world.” “Simply put, ‘we serve the fleet,’ providing the very best customer service to the warfighters and their families,” Weiss added. “Each of you had a role in this achievement, and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you for your hard work and dedication. Stand proud—you continue to set the standard that all other installations are measured by.” By maintaining its status as the world’s top naval air station, NAS Jax continues to demonstrate its unwavering excellence in supporting the Navy’s mission worldwide, despite the hurdles of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operationally, NAS Jax and tenant commands served as the launching point for two Naval Hospital Jacksonville Expeditionary Medical Facilities in response to COVID, provided warfighter support to the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Composite Training Exercise (C2X), controlled more than 44,000 incident-free flight operations for 16 tenant squadrons and five training detachments, and supported 132 search and rescue training evolutions—qualifying 842 rescue swimmers. In addition to mission operations, NAS Jax hosted visits by Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, the secretary of labor, two secretaries of the Navy, and the Norwegian prime minister, among others. Quality of life and morale met the challenges of the pandemic as Unaccompanied Housing and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites managed and housed more than 800 Navy Region Southeast Sailors during restrictions of movement, the galley served nearly 200,000 meals while maintaining COVID mitigation standards, and NAS Jax leadership held five pandemic-friendly outreach events to honor Sailors of the Quarter, ombudsmen, and recently frocked petty officers.
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Beyond the mission, operations, and personnel, NAS Jax also reduced its energy consumption by two percent from the fiscal year 2019—a savings of $830,000—teamed with Balfour Beatty Homes to install solar panels to on-base housing, and saw more than 240 volunteers retrieve 2.5 tons of debris from the installation shoreline along the St. Johns River. Read the full story at DVIDSHub.net/Publication/Issues/57030.
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LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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The Liberty Coast
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THE AMERICAN LEGION
Ensuring the well-being of Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families By Stephanie Thompson
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ere at Liberty Life, we share an ongoing series about the many military and Veteran organizations that make up The Liberty Coast. The common denominator is their physical location on The Liberty Coast, each playing a role in defining the culture of this pro-military and Veteran-friendly community. For previous snapshots, visit LibertyLifeMedia.com/Archives. This month we highlight The American Legion, celebrating 102 years on March 15. Four months after the end of WWI, a thousand officers and men of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Paris, France, held the first caucus of what was soon to be known as “The American Legion.” The American Legion has had a deep impact on today’s Servicemembers and Veterans. It is because of this organization’s efforts that the Veterans Administration and the G.I. Bill exist, for instance. Its influence has been strong in the community, as well. Boys Nation and the National High School Oratorical Contest are two programs The American Legion started. The organization is also to thank for the grant to The American Heart Association that initiated the study, prevention and treatment of rheumatic heart disease. The mission of the American Legion revolves around one concept: well-being. Its aim is to improve the overall well-being of our communities by focusing on the needs and strengths of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. This is most clearly communicated in its motto: “Veterans Strengthening America.” American Legion’s posts help Servicemembers more seamlessly transition into their civilian communities; they are proactive about educating and mentoring today’s youth; and they perpetually pay respect for military sacrifices, to ensure those sacrifices are never in vain. There are 12 American Legion posts on The Liberty Coast, and chances are that you live near one. Reach out! Attend their next event, or volunteer your time to help local Veterans. American Legion Posts on The Liberty Coast
WJCT-TV IS NOW JAX PBS New name. Fresh look. Same mission. Find out more! VISIT JAXPBS.ORG Jax PBS is a service of WJCT Public Media
22 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
Picketville—Post 9 6242 Soutel Ct. ALPost9FL@Gmail.com (904) 516-7717
Ponte Vedra Beach—Post 233 560 N. Wilderness Trail Caroline Merillat, Commander@AL233Fl.org (904) 285-2484
Fernandina Beach—Post 54 626 S. Third St. Post54News@AOL.com (904) 269-7900
Middleburg—Post 250 2608 Black Creek Dr. ALPost250@Yahoo.com (904) 282-3766
San Marco—Post 88 3662 Spring Park Rd. Commander@ALPost88Fl.org (904) 396-3754
Arlington—Post 283 9459 Fort Caroline Rd. (904) 641-8111
Jacksonville Beach—Post 129 1151 S. Fourth St. (904) 249-2266
Atlantic Beach—Post 316 1127 Atlantic Blvd. ALPost316@Bellsouth.net (904) 249-0202
Lakeshore—Post 137 5443 San Juan Ave. Richard Lane, Commander@Post137.com (904) 387-3373
Mandarin—Post 372 4280 Oldfield Crossing Dr. Barry Litski, BLitski@Comcast.net (904) 635-2693
Royal Terrace—Post 197 2179 Benedict Rd. Joann Miller, MJoAnn396@Gmail.com
Hilliard—Post 401 37405 Henry Smith Rd. CWHilliard401@Gmail.com
If you know or are part of an organization on The Liberty Coast that others should know about, let us know! We want to share your story and introduce you to the community. Visit LibertyLifeMedia.com/Submissions or email Editor@LibertyLifeMedia.com to learn more.
LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
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