Livingston Life September 2023

Remembering 9/11, 22 Years Later

The events of September 11, 2001, marked a turning point in history that left an indelible impact on the world. As we commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, we reflect on the tragedy, the lives lost, the resilience shown, and the lessons learned. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon continue to evoke a mix of emotions and memories that have shaped our collective consciousness.

The Day That Changed Everything:

On that fateful Tuesday morning, the world watched in horror as commercial airplanes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The sheer scale of the devastation and loss of life was beyond comprehension. Almost 3,000 innocent lives were lost, and the impact was felt not just in America, but across the globe.

Unity and Resilience:

In the face of adversity, the response was a remarkable display of unity and resilience. First responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens rushed to the aid of those in need, embodying the spirit of heroism and compassion. Communities came together, demonstrating the strength of human solidarity. The 9/11 attacks did not break the American spirit; instead, they strengthened the nation’s resolve to stand

united against terrorism.

Global Consequences:

The aftermath of 9/11 had far-reaching consequences that reshaped international politics, security measures, and policies. The United States launched the War on Terror, leading to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Airport security protocols were heightened, and surveillance efforts intensified to prevent future attacks. The world became acutely aware of the need to address the root causes of terrorism and promote global stability.

Lessons Learned:

Two decades later, the lessons from 9/11 remain relevant. The importance of vigilance in the face of evolving security threats, the significance of international cooperation, and the need to address sociopolitical issues that can breed extremism are paramount. As we remember the lives lost, we also remember the importance of nurturing tolerance, understanding, and dialogue to prevent the rise of hatred and division.

Honoring the Victims:

Each year on September 11, ceremonies are held to honor the victims and heroes of the attacks. Names are read aloud, and moments of silence are observed to pay tribute to those who perished. Memorials like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at

Ground Zero stand as somber reminders of the tragedy, urging us to never forget and to continue striving for a more peaceful world.

Twenty-two years after the 9/11 attacks, the world continues to remember the profound impact they had on our lives. As we pay homage to the lives lost

and the sacrifices made, let us renew our commitment to building a world that rejects hatred and violence. Through remembrance, unity, and resilience, we honor the memory of those who were taken from us and work towards a future where such senseless acts of terror have no place.

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By Henry M. Holden

No World War II, aircraft were more vulnerable than the plywood and fabric covered gliders. The life expectancy of their pilots was 50-50 at best. Fred Fountain, of River Dale, N.J. was among the unsung glider heroes of the war.

There were six major glider missions in World War II: Burma, Sicily, Normandy, southern, France, Holland, and the Rhine. Fred Fountain flew and survived (barely) three of those missions. Many of the 48-foot-long WACO CG-4 gliders were built in Ridgefield, New Jersey.

Glider pilots endured enemy flak, foul weather, and aircraft that sometimes-shed parts in flight.

Landing the silent, motorless giants loaded with 13 men or an artillery piece, behind enemy lines, was described as no more than a controlled crash.

The glider had only the basic flight instruments: airspeed, vertical speed, turn in bank indicator, and a compass. Fountain said, “The compass was superfluous since there was only one place, we were going to navigate to by ourselves, and that was down.”

The pilots shunned parachutes because none of the troops they carried wore them. On a combat mission. Destiny was a one-way

Fountain’s Follies

trip. Only the tow plane pilot had any chance of making it back to base that day.

The history of the 101st airborne describes the glider pilots as “the most uninhibited individuals in the army, who successfully defied all attempts at organization.”

Glider pilots had little use for military convention and ignored most military courtesy. They loved flying, drinking and women, but not necessarily in that order. They felt that if they were going to be killed in combat, there was no point in being polite, disciplined, or sober.

Fred fountain was 28 years old when World War II broke out. He was considered too old for the Air Force cadet training program, so he volunteered for the little-known glider pilot program. The daily routine as Fountain describes it was bookwork and drill in the morning and flying in the afternoon. “Each day 25 men were crammed into a school bus built for 20 children and driven 60 miles from Bergen Junior-College, in Teaneck (now fairly Dickinson University) to Soberg-Hunterton Airport in Redington for flight training. There was so much classroom work it continued on the school bus.

“It was a typical Army operation,” said Fountain. “The food was bad, bunks were too small, and the drill was a joke.”

Forty-five days later, Fountain graduated,

but the Army has changed its mind about the glider pilot program so all the new pilots were returned to the Army as buck privates. Later the Army reversed itself and Fountain went for more flight training wearing his sterling silver wings. First came a single engine power plane then the two-place gliders. From there he went on to the 4-ton WACO- CG 4 heavy glider.

Fountains first combat mission was to Southern France on August 15, 1944, with the 436th Troop, Carrier Group, 79

Squadron. “Fountains, Folly” was the 37th of 40 gliders in the first lift. As it often happened the telephone line between the tow plane and glider tore away on takeoff. Fountain, his cargo of English Tommy’s, and their jeep were in the air four-and one-half hours, and out of contact with the tow plane. Fountain remembers that, during the long hours his British passengers relaxed and brewed some tea. Near the landing zone, Fountain watched as several gliders crashed. One

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This C-47 Skytrain is about to “snatch” and double tow two CG-4 gliders seen in the background. Credit author’s collection

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fell apart in mid-air, its human cargo falling helplessly into the sea.

On the landing approach, Fountain’s copilot prayed instead of reading the airspeed indicator and operating the spoilers. Fountain screamed at the copilot but to no avail, so he landed the glider himself.

“Since I was too tired to dig a foxhole, I crawled under a British 57 mm field piece. That was a mistake. When it fired tears came to my eyes and I went deaf for a while.”

Fountain’s next mission was to Holland on September 18, 1944. This time there was no copilot and Fountain was flying Folly #2. The mission fleet consisted of 1,500 gliders, and Fountain and his human cargo of spent more than 3 1/2 hours in the air. Solo flying with a full load was an exhausting job. Fountain had to struggle to keep the glider from oscillating. If his ship didn’t fly above the tow plane slipstream, the ride would be worse than a rowboat in a storm-tossed sea. If the glider had structural defects, there was a distinct possibility of it breaking up in flight.

Five minutes from the LZ, Fountain’s Foley #2 was hit by a German 40 mm, shell that tore a huge hole in the fabric skin, and missed the main wing spar by inches. Two of his passengers were badly wounded, but Fountain was able to keep the smoke-filled

cabin airborne.

Fountain crash landed in a field amid the rubble of wrecked gliders and dead cows. Fountain stayed in Holland for four or five days before working his way back to England.

“I remember being in Brussels, but have no recollection of how I got back to England. As usual, all of the surviving glider pilots got drunk. I estimated that 90-percent of the glider pilots time was spent getting drunk and raising Hell, and 10-percent flying. And if the big brass didn’t like it, they could always try and find someone else to fly the damn gliders.”

The Rhine mission on March 24, 1945, saw 906 WACO gliders launched. Fountain’s Folly #3, was part of the group, and double towed for more than three hours carrying a jeep trailer, heavy machine gun and six airborne troops. This time he had a copilot, a P-51 pilot who had never seen the inside of a glider.

The landing zones were in disputed territory and artillery, mortar and machine gun greeted the hapless pilots as they tried their silent giants. “Less than one-quarter of the gliders that reached the assault area came through undamaged,” said the official report.

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As he approached the LZ Fountain began to think his luck had run out. First his tow plane exploded in front of him just after he had cut loose; Then, as he flew into the smoke shrouded LZ, suddenly he saw high tension wires cutting across his glide path. Sideslipping with full spoilers, he narrowly missed the wires. The glider plowed through a number of fences, and slammed into a tree. Before he could climb out of the wreck another glider smashed into what was left of his glider.

When the dust settled, Fountain and his copilot ran for cover through a hail of machine gun fire and dove behind a hedge row. “With

our faces in the dirt,” he remembered, “We said several quick prayers.”

A rumbling noise caused Fountain to look up in time to see a glider skidding toward them. Miraculously the wheels missed him by inches but crushed Fountain’s carbine. Now, he was without a gun in the middle of a fire fight. Desperately, he crawled into a gully to wait for the shooting to stop. He survived, but never saw his copilot again.

Glider pilots in the great giant silent birds were a creation of World War II. When the war ended, they faded from the scene. Fred Fountain came home to New Jersey and established a successful insurance business in Hackensack.

Did You Know?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is diagnosed when the heart beats too slowly, too quickly or irregularly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when an individual has AFib, the beating in the upper chambers of their heart is irregular, which compromises blood flow from the upper to lower chambers. The CDC notes that researchers estimate roughly 12 million people in the United States will have AFib in 2030. The

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada reports that one-fourth of all strokes after age 40 are caused by AFib and that people with the condition have a three to five times greater risk for ischemic stroke than those who do not have AFib.

A 2019 report from the American Heart Association indicated high blood pressure accounts for roughly 20 percent of all cases of AFib. The CDC notes advancing age, obesity, diabetes, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and European ancestry are some additional risk factors for AFib.

Bodyguard for Celebrities Honored Again

By Steve Sears

It has been a wonderful nine months for bodyguard Adriano “Bubba” Almony.

In December of 2022 in Houston, Texas, he was the first bodyguard ever honored to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, and on July 22, he was in Atlanta, Georgia for the 15th annual D’CEM Awards, where he was awarded with both a Humanitarian Excellence Award and Best Security Bodyguard Award.

And this November, he will be awarded a K.S.E. Elite Bodyguard Award, and be inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame along with the Queen of Congo. For the latter, Almony was nominated by Mike Tyson’s trainer, Aaron Snowell.

Almony said of the D’CEM event, “It was amazing. There was a dinner, a state representative from the governor’s office there, and hundreds of people at a pretty much full to capacity event. They called all the honorees to stage where you were able to do an acceptance speech. They had our photo on the big jumbotron - the backdrop at the stage - and there were red carpet interviews. It was truly a great time, a nice event.”

When asked to describe the word “humanitarian,” Almony said, “A humanitarian is somebody who puts others before themselves. It’s helping to make the world a better place as a goodwill ambassador, and someone who takes pride in doing less for themselves and more for others.”

Almony, 28, first was born and raised in Hanover, Pennsylvania, but in the fifth grade moved to Ocean City,

Maryland, where he grew up for most of his life. In 2012 he graduated from Stephen Decatur High, and then headed for the Metropolitan area, where he has lived in Fairfield in Essex County since 2018. A security industry pro for 12 years, he has owned Bubba Almony Security Service for five years.

Almony’s bodyguard services protect a number of well-known celebrities and their families, such as Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the wife of four-time heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, and her children, real estate tycoon Grant Cardone and his wife, Elena Lyons

TRADE

Cardone, P. Diddy’s children, and musical artist Yvng Swag of “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out.” His bodyguard services are also relied on at events. He serves at Ocean City, Maryland’s White Marlin Open, the world’s largest billfishing tournament, the 10X Growth Conference (“the number one business event as voted by Forbes,” Almony says), and the 9/11 Memorial Commemoration in New York City.

Most important to Almony is making an impact in the world. He said, “To have any impact in my work and impact as a person, and to be inspiring. Being the best leader I could be, the best influence, just pushing towards my greatness every day, to be the best human I could be.”

Adriano “Bubba” Almony outside the White House (courtesy of Adriano “Bubba” Almony)

NJStarz

NJ Starz: Aimee Roehler

Hometown: Whitehouse Station

By Steve Sears

Studying Aimee Roehler’s career racquetball accomplishments is mind-boggling.

Consider just some of the Whitehouse Station resident’s numbers and accomplishments. Roehler also has been a partner in eleven USA Racquetball Mixed Open National Doubles Championships, twelve USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Doubles Championships, three International – Pan American Championships Doubles Gold wins, and three International Racquetball Federation World Championships Gold titles, and has also won one USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Singles Championship.

Oh – and there have also been other title wins, and quite a few silver and bronze medals, too.

Roehler, originally born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has two siblings; a sister, Sara, and a brother, Nich. Her parents are Donna and Larry, and her stepmom is Louise.

For Roehler, who has lived in the Garden State for 20 years, her interest in racquetball started when she was

The dental group kids LOVE and their parents trust!

13 years old and her mom was taking community college nighttime courses, one of those being “Introduction to Racquetball.”

It would be Roehler’s introduction to the sport as well. She said, “I was tagging along, doing my homework outside of the courts while she was getting this introduction to racquetball, and she loved it. She joined the gym, started playing in tournaments, and she had me pick up the sport that way. I’ve been doing it ever since then.”

Roehler paused, then continued. “That’s what I love about it. I love the competition of it and the intensity of it, and I love sports.”

There was a period, however, when Roehler took a step back from racquetball. Fortunately for racquetball fans, she obviously was much too fond and talented to stay away.

Roehler explained, “I quit playing racquetball for several years. I got a little burned out. My mother had gotten remarried, and my stepfather wanted me to get up at 6 a.m. and train, then go to school, and then train again.”

At the time, in addition to her studies and her training,

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NAME: Ami Dhaduk, DMD

NAME: Denise Kitay, DDS, MMSc

Aimee Roehler when inducted into the USA Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2022 continued on page 11

NJ Starz...

she was also playing on the school basketball and tennis teams. Roehler said, “I was a teenager, and I wanted to play basketball or play tennis and hang out with my friends. It was just a lot at that time for me.”

From her senior year until about two years later, she was absent from the racquetball court, but eventually started playing again on her terms. She said, “I wanted to play, not because people were making me play, or having this thought that I’m going to be this amazing racquetball player and wanted me to do all this training. I just wasn’t having fun when it was being forced upon me.”

Many would say she became that “amazing racquetball player,” but whatever positive adjective used, she indeed has made her mark on the history of the sport.

Roehler’s first significant racquetball success came in 1998, when she was both the Women’s 24 & Under National Singles Champion, and a US Open Women’s 24 & Under Singles Champion. Then, in 2005 and 2006, she and Laura Fenton won two USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Doubles championships. Roehler has teamed up to win 12 of these titles from 2005 through 2020. In addition to the two with Fenton, she and partner Jackie Paraiso have won five championships, and she came out on top four times with Janel Tisinger, and once with Erika Manilla.

Roehler admires and credits those she has played with. She said, “Winning with these women, who already have their names cemented in the sport I like as a doubles player, I always say, ‘There’s no “I” in team.’ With Jackie and Janel, and even Erica, it’s teamwork, and there’s a lot that goes into it.”

And perhaps an especially important factor many may not be aware of. Roehler, 48, is a lefthander. She says it’s advantageous, especially when playing in doubles competition, her favorite. She said, “I play singles every once in a while, but I mainly play doubles where there’s not a lot of lefty-righty doubles teams. When you’re a lefty-righty doubles team, you kind of have that advantage already; you have your forehands on both sides, and so that’s always an advantage.”

Perhaps her biggest moment out of many big moments in the sport came in 2009. Roehler stunned the racquetball world when, as a very low seed entry, she defeated Kristen Walsh Bellows, Rhonda Rajsich, and Cheryl Gudinas – three of the top four women’s racquetball players on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour that season – to win the 2009 USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Singles Championship.

“It was something I will always remember,” she said of 2009. “I had no expectations. I was going for a meeting, and I said to myself, “I’ve got to travel to Houston for a meeting, so let me just sign up to play because I’m going to be there.’ I didn’t have any pressure or anything like that on me.”

But she did have a nice support group. Roehler said, “Every time I defeated a top player, there were more people watching the matches. And a group of friends and my husband at that time - they were very supportive.” As she walked towards the court to warm-up for the final match against Gudinas, she looked over and the aforementioned folks were huddled. “Then I turned, and they had my name spelled out on their shirts. The amount of support that I had from them - and them cheering me on! Then afterwards,

we went back to the hotel and celebrated, and it was very surreal. We all looked at each other and asked, ‘Did this really happen?’ It did.”

Following her huge singles title in 2009, she was that year named USA Racquetball Female Athlete of the Year, and in 2012 was inducted into the New Jersey Amateur Racquetball Hall of Fame.

Roehler was also inducted into the USA Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2021, which she was unable to attend (the induction for her was held in May of 2022 instead) after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was stricken in 2020 after she won the national doubles title with Manilla. And, coincidentally enough, her boyfriend, Ruben Pagan, also was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the same time.

Roehler’s diagnosis came out of nowhere. She, who had no family history of breast cancer, said, “I got diagnosed but I didn’t have any symptoms. I didn’t have any lumps. I didn’t have any bumps. I was going in for my annual mammogram and they spotted something, and they asked me to come back for an ultrasound. When they asked me to come back, I can’t really say I was thinking anything of it. Of course, I was worried, but it’s happened before where they’d asked me to come back.”

During this return trip, a biopsy was done, and Roehler was diagnosed with breast cancer. She began treatments, and thanks her stepmom, Louise, for being there for her.

Roehler said, “She’s a registered nurse. She was there with me every step of the way. She was there for my surgery, when I went to the doctor’s appointments - everything.”

Roehler approached USA Racquetball and informed them

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Pasta:Marinara

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of the diagnosis, said she wanted to share her story with the racquetball community, and that she wanted USA Racquetball to be a part of it. Also, she started to raise funds for the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Somerset’s Sanofi US Wellness Boutique.

Roehler said, “All the money that they have helps those who are diagnosed. Whether they need rides to chemotherapy treatments, or they need meals because they’re exhausted from treatment, that’s all done through donations. I just wanted to give back to them for what they do and how they help other cancer patients.”

Roehler, who now has her own firm called ABR Communications where she manages social media platforms for clients, said her health is currently good.

She said, “I’m playing racquetball three times a week, and I feel good. I have my aches and pains and things like that, and I do have to take a daily pill and I must get a shot every four weeks as a maintenance with everything that comes along with it. But other than that, I’m still active, I’m enjoying life, and I’m focusing on my business, and I want to grow my business.”

For more information about Aimee Roehler, visit her website www.abrcomm. com.

Did You Know?

The liver performs many important functions in the body. In fact, Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that researchers have determined the liver performs more than 500 different vital functions, including:

• Produces bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine.

• Produces cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body.

• Produces certain proteins for blood

plasma.

• Converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage and balances and makes glucose as needed.

• Processes hemoglobin for use of its iron content.

• Converts poisonous ammonia to urea.

• Clears the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances.

• Regulates blood clotting.

• Clears bilirubin from the body.

Is Fair Skin More Susceptible to Skin Cancer?

The skin is the largest organ on the body. As with other areas of the body, skin is susceptible to cancer.

The National Cancer Institute says there are many different types of skin cancer and that it can appear differently depending on the type and the person. Any changes in skin should be brought to the attention of a doctor immediately. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis typically is.

Individuals also should be aware of what constitutes having a heightened risk for skin cancer. In most cases, that can include the type of skin one has. The Skin Cancer Foundation indicates that skin type is a major factor in risk for skin cancer, including the deadly melanoma. While people with any shade of skin can get skin cancer, those who have fair skin tones are even more at risk for sunburn, sun damage and skin cancer.

In 1975, Harvard Medical School physician Thomas Fitzpatrick created a scientific classification system for skin type, identifying six types of skin. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type chart goes from very light to very dark. Skin types I and II face the highest risk of developing skin cancer, while types V and VI are at the lowest risk. That’s because fair skin doesn’t have as much pigmentation and natural melanin protection from the sun.

In addition to pigmentation, skin type also is calculated by how skin reacts to sun exposure. This means whether one easily burns or easily tans. Fair skin tends to burn easily and tan lightly or not at all.

Even though fair-skinned individuals are at greater for skin cancer, anyone can get the disease. Everyone should use a broadspectrum daily sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to protect against harmful rays. In addition, wearing sun-protective clothing and avoiding exposure between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is essential.

Individuals concerned about skin cancer risk or unusual changes to their skin should speak with their dermatologists.

The Link Between Dirty Contact Lenses and Infection

Contact lenses are a solution for people with impaired vision who don’t like the look or feel of eyeglasses. But unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses require daily maintenance. Without such TLC, contact lenses can become dirty, which can lead to serious infection.

Physicians typically emphasize the importance of proper contact lens care upon prescribing lenses. That’s because of the link between dirty lenses and infections. But the Cleveland Clinic notes that such infections are often avoidable.

Infections and bacteria

According to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly 80 to 90 percent of contact lensrelated eye infections are bacterial. The bacteria staphylococcus aureus, also known as “staph,” is linked to many cases of contact lens-related eye infections. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics, which underscores the importance of cleaning contacts to reduce the risk of infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another type of bacterial infection that can affect individuals who wear contact lenses. The Cleveland Clinic indicates that this fast-growing infection is possibly the

most severe. It can lead to a hole in the cornea and there’s a significant chance of permanent scarring and vision loss.

Fungal infections

Poor contact lens hygiene also can lead to fungal infections. Fungi such as aspergillus or fusariam pose a threat to vision and infection can occur if lenses are not properly and routinely cleaned. What causes contact lens-related infections?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that, in addition to bacteria and fungi, various things can cause contact lens-related infections. Those factors include:

• Using extended-wear lenses

• Sleeping in contact lenses

• The buildup of microbes under the lens

• Herpes virus

• Parasites

• Reusing or topping off contact lens solution

• Failure to keep lenses clean What are the signs of contact lensrelated eye infection?

Serious vision loss or blindness can result from contact lens-related infections. However, less severe symptoms may

present themselves before the infection progresses to the point of vision loss.

• Blurry vision

• Unusual redness of the eye

• Pain in the eye

• Tearing or discharge from the eye

• Extra sensitivity to light

• The feeling that something is in the affected eye

Contact lenses require daily maintenance to prevent infection. More information is available at www.aao.org.

I Remember Dad: Hallowed Be, Thy Sacred Truth of The Scout Law

By Richard Mabey Jr.

My beloved father served as Scoutmaster of Boy

Scout Troop 170 for 28 years, from 1966 to 1994.

Dad was 67 years old when he retired from his volunteer role of the Beloved Scoutmaster. He was fighting prostate cancer at the time. A battle that he did win. But sadly, the dreaded cancer reared its ugly head again in 2006, in the form of pancreatic cancer. Sadly, Dad lost that fight.

My father believed in the Scout Law and the Scout Oath. Every single word of it. Second only to the Lord’s Prayer, it was Dad’s guiding light upon which he used to shine upon his walk along life’s path. Upon my father’s workbench, was a folded oak tag sign that read, “better to teach a boy the moral path, than to rehabilitate a wayward man.” The lettering of that little sign was hand written. Dad had written those words back in 1966, when he first became Scoutmaster of Troop 170.

For nearly 30 years, Dad looked at that little sign. As the years passed by, the little oak tag sign developed little folds in the corner. The sunlight, pouring in from the cellar window, had caused the once brightly colored, golden thick oak tag to turn to a faded shade of yellow. Yet the truth of Dad’s handwritten little sign never dulled, not one tiny bit.

My father saw his role as Scoutmaster as a ministry. Over the years, Dad was a most wonderful father-role to hundreds upon hundreds of boys. A kind-hearted adopted uncle, a gentle soul who taught boys the essentials of first-

aid. Dad loved to teach the scouts about the great wonders of the trees of the forest and about all the magnificent creatures that called the woods, their sacred home.

My father taught all so many scouts to hold a great respect for all living things. He taught his scouts the role that the elm, the oak, the maple and the pine played in preventing soil erosion on a hillside incline. Dad taught the scouts of dear old 170, to walk ever so gently and quietly, while approaching a group of deer drinking from a babbling brook, a few yards from the wooded path of the famed Appalachian Trail.

My father went Home to be with the Lord in May of 2006. Now, over 17 years later, I miss him all so very much. There are times when I hear the echo of my father’s voice, “now boys, your pocket knife isn’t a toy. You need to take special care when handling a knife. When you’re getting kindle wood ready for the fire, always cut the little twigs from a fallen branch away from you, never cut the twigs toward you.”

Like the tiny particles of sand that sift through our fingers, time waits for no person. The clock ticks the minutes away, the pages of the calendar are torn off too soon, the years pass by, and sadly, the years become decades, falling away from us.

Life is short. Too short to hold grievances and harsh judgments. Love one another. Forgive, forgive and forgive those who do you wrong. Tell your loved ones that you love them. For tomorrow may be too late.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.

A very rare photograph of Dad standing beneath the legendary Troop 170 campsite gateway sign. My sister, Reverend Patricia Mabey, took this picture back in the Spring of 1973.

Most Common Cause Behind Teary Eyes Are Dry Eyes

By Dr. Keith Roach

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-yearold woman who loves to read the newspaper every morning. I have a problem that’s not serious, just annoying. My eyes tear up frequently while I read, causing me to wipe them. After I’m done reading, the problem stops. I see my ophthalmologist every year and have my vision glasses updated as needed. I am not yet a candidate for cataract surgery. Could you enlighten me about a probable cause for this irritating problem? -- A.H.G.

ANSWER: By all means, ask your ophthalmologist at your next visit, but the most common cause I see for watery, tearing eyes are ... dry eyes! This apparent paradox is caused by the fact that your eyes have three different fluids.

One of them, called meibum, is a long-lasting, oily material secreted by the meibomian glands, found around the edges of the eyelids near the eyelashes. This covers the eye and prevents fluid from evaporating quickly. Without this fluid, the lacrimal gland (near the temple above each eye) then has to make a lot of its watery secretions, which cause symptoms of tearing.

Most commonly, the meibomian glands get clogged up by secretions becoming dry. Gently cleansing the eyelash area with warm water and baby shampoo helps many people unclog these glands. Artificial tears lubricate the eye and will reduce the symptoms of watery eyes (and maybe some eye irritation, too, which you might not have mentioned).

***

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am about to undergo gallbladder removal due to recurring pain from gallbladder sludge. Should I be taking

replacements for the bile salts that I will no longer be able to produce, and if so, what is the best type of replacement? -- S.C.

ANSWER: Your liver makes bile salts, which are necessary for fat absorption. The gallbladder doesn’t make them at all; it just stores the bile until you eat a meal, at which point the gallbladder contracts and the bile salts are released into the small intestine to help you digest fat. Most bile salts will be reabsorbed later at the end of the small intestine, recirculating them for reuse.

In people without a gallbladder, the liver itself will continuously release bile salts into the small intestine, rather than on an as-needed basis by the gallbladder. Sometimes, the ability of the terminal ileum (the part of the intestine where bile salts are reabsorbed) gets overwhelmed, and bile acids enter the colon, causing diarrhea.

This is very common in the first few weeks after gallbladder surgery, but the small intestine usually “learns” to absorb more bile salts. The colon also learns to live with bile salts, and the diarrhea mostly goes away. However, some people continue to have diarrhea after surgery, and medication to restrain bile salts (such as cholestyramine) can make a huge difference.

After surgery, avoiding a high-fat diet is prudent for a month or so to minimize the amount of bile needed.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

(c) 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

President George W. Bush’s Address to the Nation on September 11, 2001

On the evening of September 11, 2001, United States President George W. Bush addressed a nation that earlier that day witnessed the deadliest terrorist attacks in world history. That morning, hijackers took control of four airplanes, ultimately crashing two into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field near the town of Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers and crew attempted to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. All passengers and crew on board all four flights died on September 11, and thousands of others on the ground lost their lives that day as well. It was under those conditions that President Bush delivered the following speech to a shaken nation.

Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government’s emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.

The 9/11 Memorial

Among the more indelible images to emerge on September 11, 2001 was the sight of two planes crashing into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. Still photos and video footage of those planes flying into the Twin Towers were the first images of the attacks many Americans saw, and no one who watched events unfold that morning will ever forget those images.

Though both the North and South Towers fell on that day, today the site where each tower once stood is a serene retreat in the bustling lower Manhattan neighborhood that was shaken to its core on the day of the attacks. The 9/11 Memorial was designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum notes that Arad and Walker’s proposal

was chosen in a design competition that featured 5,201 submissions from 63 countries.

The 9/11 Memorial is located on the western side of the formal World Trade Center where the Twin Towers once stood. Two enormous reflecting pools are part of the Memorial Plaza, which is where the North and South Towers once stood. The pools feature the two largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Around the edges of the pools, the names of people who were killed in the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, on Flight 93, and in the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center are etched in bronze.

In recognition of the crash sites, 400 swamp white oak trees were selected from nurseries located in New York, Pennsylvania and

near Washington, D.C. These trees are located throughout the Memorial Plaza, providing a peaceful respite separate from the surrounding city. The Memorial Plaza also includes one Callery pear tree. That tree was discovered at Ground Zero weeks after the attacks and it was severely damaged. The tree, now known as the Survivor Tree, was nursed back to health by members of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department and returned to the World Trade Center site in 2010, where it still stands as an enduring symbol of resilience and perseverance.

The 9/11 Memorial is free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum can be found at www.911memorial.org.

Foods That Can Keep Cholesterol in Check

Diet plays an important role in maintaining healthy cholesterol numbers. Although the level of cholesterol in a person’s blood is partly due to factors related to heredity, the foods one eats also affect cholesterol levels.

When doctors discuss cholesterol with their patients, they may refer to total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and good cholesterol. What does that mean? Total cholesterol is the combined number of cholesterol in the blood, and should be below 200. Good cholesterol is known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and ideally it should be above 60. Bad, or LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein) cholesterol, should be below 100, says the Cleveland Clinic. A person who has a poor lipoprotein profile may be instructed to alter their diet. Learning which foods might help is an important tool in managing cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.

Oats and more

Individuals likely have heard that oatmeal is good for helping reduce cholesterol numbers. Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which lowers LDL cholesterol by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Oat bran and other high-

fiber grains also are good to enjoy.

Legumes and produce

Eggplant, okra, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, pears, apples, and more also can be effective at lowering cholesterol levels. These foods tend to be lower in calories and saturated fats but high in soluble fiber.

Nuts

Almond, walnuts and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can lower cholesterol levels by raising the levels of HDL cholesterol. Nuts like almonds also are high in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can keep the body healthy in a number of ways. Since nuts are high in calories, it is important to eat them in moderation.

Fatty fish

Eating fish over other meat-based protein sources helps reduce caloric intake. It also means the body gains the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids that lower LDL and triglycerides in the bloodstream.

Sterols and stanols

Sterols and stanols are components of plants that gum up the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol from food, says Harvard Health. Companies add them to foods like margarine and granola bars as supplements. Roughly two grams of plant sterols a day

can reduce LDL by 10 percent. Avocados and olives

Both of these foods are good sources of fiber and also monounsaturated fats that can help improve HDL and lower LDL levels. Substitute olive and avocado oils for

lard and butter when cooking to improve cholesterol levels.

Certain foods can be beneficial for improving cholesterol numbers. Focusing on the positive can help people feel less restricted by healthy eating plans.

5 Fun Facts about the Month of September

September marks a return to the norm for millions of households. School is back in session, summer vacation season has ended and fall begins. Routines take shape and life once again becomes more structured in September. As that transition takes place, individuals can consider these fun facts about the month of September.

1. Though Latin is no longer widely

Celebrating 50 Years

spoken or taught, plenty of words, including September, trace their origins to the language of ancient Rome and its empire. “Septem” is the Latin word for “seven,” and September was originally the seventh month of the Roman calendar.

2. Though the autumnal equinox, which marks the official beginning of fall, does not occur until later in the month, the unofficial end to summer occurs in the

first weekend of September. Americans celebrate Labor Day and Canadians celebrate Labour Day on the first Monday in September, and millions of people in both countries consider that weekend the last hurrah for summer relaxation and revelry.

3. Labor Day is not the only holiday to be celebrated in September. In fact, Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday that is often referred to as the “Jewish New Year,” also is celebrated in September in many years (the holiday occurs 163 days after the first day of Passover, so in certain years it is celebrated in early October).The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur also can be celebrated in September or October, and Constitution Day, which commemorates the adoption of the United States constitution in 1787, is celebrated on September 17. Patriot Day also occurs annually on September 11 and is a day to remember the people killed in the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

4. Though its name might suggest otherwise, Oktoberfest actually begins

in late September. Modern Oktoberfest celebrations, particularly those outside the Bavaria region of Germany, may have little to do with a marriage, but the festival traces its origins to the marriage of Kronprinz Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities, and more than two centuries later that jovial atmosphere dominates the city, and countless others across the globe, during Oktoberfest.

5. Football fans circle the month of September on their calendars, as the month marks the return of the National Football League regular season. The reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions in the NFL Kickoff Game on September 7, and the rest of the league will take to the gridiron on September 10 and 11. That’s a big deal for millions of fans across the country, as the NFL remains wildly popular. In fact, an analysis by the Sports Business Journal found that per-game attendance averaged 69,442 fans in 2022, which marked the second-largest figure in 19 years.

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