Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
November 2015
Sending ‘Angels’ to the Good Samaritan Program
Honor Flights
Special angels will soon be adorning Christmas trees and holiday displays at every Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica (PMMA) senior living community.
Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, recently had the opportunity to speak with colleagues from across the United States about one of her personal passions at a retreat presented by Greystone Communities, the Glen’s management company. What was it that Loretta was so passionate about? Honor Flights.
The “angels” are paper ornaments that will arrive throughout the holiday season along with gifts to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal, which raises funds for the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care. Donors who make gifts are asked to return paper Angel ornaments along with their gifts. The ornaments pay tribute to donors’ family members or friends and are displayed at PMMA communities designated by the donors. During the past two years, donors to the angel appeals have given more than $90,000 to the Good Samaritan Program. The program assists PMMA residents who have out-lived their financial resources through no fault of their own. Since PMMA began 66 years ago, no residents have been asked to leave because they exhausted their financial resources. If you would like to participate in the Angel Appeal, please email development@pmma.org or call 800-336-8511.
A great way to serve Greatest Generation
“Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very Mike Murphy gets a warm welcome at the airport existence as a nation—and from his wife Sandy, daughter Kathleen and grandas a culturally diverse, free daughter Emily. society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out,” said Loretta. Loretta put together a wonderful presentation with the history of the Honor Flight program, what attendees and volunteers can expect and how to participate. She’s been able to accompany veterans on two Honor Flights, in September 2010 and again in October 2013. She shares her insight with us: How did the Honor Flight program get started? The inaugural Honor Flight took place in May 2005. Six small planes flew out of Springfield, Ohio, taking 12 World War II veterans on a visit to the memorial in Washington, D.C. In August 2005, an ever-expanding waiting HONOR, continued on page 2
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
HONOR, continued from page 1
list of veterans led to the transition to commercial airline carriers with the goal of accommodating as many veterans as possible. Partnering with HonorAir in Hendersonville, N.C., the “Honor Flight Network” was formed. What is a day like for a Veteran participating in the Honor Flight?
Bill Myles escorted off the plane by his guardian and son Pat Myles.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. James “Jamie” Kneen, executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, lcutler@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
2
Community Matters November 2015
arrive back at airport and head for home, where even more surprises await. And the welcome home party? The welcome home party can be as big as the volunteers make it.
“I arranged for our local college band to meet us at the airport and sing a few patriotic songs, and I had our area Honor Guard motorcade After filling out applications and escort us home. We ended the being accepted, you will be sent an agenda. Veterans and their Guardians evening with pulling up at our community with residents waving (an adult volunteer) will arrive at flags, welcoming them one by one as the airport usually around 3 a.m. they got off the bus.,” said Loretta. (depending on where you are in the country), and soon after, a full When asked what her favorite breakfast is served. memories were from the flights, Loretta mentioned there were many. Most groups arrive in D.C. around 9 a.m., where a nice comfortable One thing she particularly enjoyed coach takes them straight to the was watching them open their World War II Memorial. That’s after letters from home during the “Mail walking through the airport where Call.” everyone stops and clap as these brave men and women go by. “At some point during the flight, one of the leaders will holler, “Mail After visiting the Memorial and call!” like they did during war time. allowing time for photos, etc., food This was a time that they so very is dropped off at the bus and Honor much looked forward to, a letter Flight staff serve to veterans first, from home, from their girlfriend, then Guardians. parents or just anybody from the The next stop is Arlington National USA. It was so neat seeing them open surprise letters from friends Cemetery. Here the veterans and family,” said Loretta. will see John F. Kennedy’s grave, the eternal flame and many other Another one of Loretta’s favorite famous military graves. After the times during the Honor Flight were tour of the cemetery is the changing the unplanned moments of support of the guard at the Tomb of the from others along the way. Unknown Soldier, and veterans get first seating. “Watching strangers at the airport stop whatever they were busily The next stop is the Vietnam, doing and clap as they wheeled Lincoln and Korean Memorials. By down the ramp was awesome. My this time it’s about 3:30 p.m., and most favorite memory is while the bus takes them to the Marine we were at the WWII memorial. Memorial and on to visit the Air A young man in uniform walked Force memorial, where a boxed HONOR, continued on page 3 dinner is served. At 5 p.m. they
HONOR, continued from page 2
up to my veteran, who was in a wheelchair. My veteran said to him, ‘Thank you for your service.’ The soldier said to him, ‘No, sir, thank you. If it weren’t for you I would not be here.” Loretta is grateful for her Honor Flight experience, and hopes to get many more involved, whether it’s through attendance or volunteering. “After I saw the touching emotions, tears, laughter and reminiscing, one could not help but want to help make that trip a reality,” said
Loretta. “I think others should volunteer or donate to this because we need to show them in whatever way we can that we are grateful for what they did for our country. Unfortunately, these heroes are not going to be around much longer. We need to listen to their stories, thank them for their service and remember this is ‘The Greatest Generation.’” A veteran receives a certificate of his
If you would like to find out more final mission. about Honor Flight in your area visit www.honorflight.org.
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Support Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Today by Donating a Vehicle! We’ll pick up at no cost and you get a tax deduction.
Dates
TO REMEMBER
Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Nov. 28,
10 to 11:30 a.m. Grab the kids, grandkids or neighbors and come on over for some Christmas cheer, food and crafts for the kids. Don’t forget your camera!
Christmas Party for residents and families:
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m. This is our time to shine and say THANK YOU to our families and residents!
Just call (844) 490-GIVE for information The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
3
Resident spotlight: Meet Lucy Anne McCluer By Cam Williams, Lucy Anne’s Sister
Lucy Anne was born on December 6, 1925, in Elsberry, Mo., a small town about 60 miles north of St. Louis. After attending William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, she graduated with a major in music from Lindenwood College, now a University, in St. Charles, Mo. She then went on to receive a master’s degree from Indiana University, specializing in pipe organ. She obtained a position as an instructor in music at Erskine College in Due West, S.C., which is about 40 miles south of Greenville. She was also a part time registrar, which later became a full-time job. Evidently she did such a good job as a part timer the administration persuaded her to work full time. She then taught private lessons in her studio, which she had built on to her home. In spite of her hearing impairment, Lucy Anne was able to achieve many goals. Her hearing loss was due to a severe sinus infection when she was about 3 or 4 years old. If there had been antibiotics available then she probably would have been cured. She became interested in music at an early age and started taking piano lessons at around age 10. She gave numerous recitals and had several positions as church organist. At one time she was named “Who’s Who in
America.” She loved traveling and did so extensively, making several trips to Europe, China, India, Israel and Brazil. She had an Austrian friend, who was able to get her permission to play organs in churches in Germany and Austria. Her hobbies were many, including knitting, crocheting, photography, and stamp collecting. She excelled at everything she did. Music was her first love, but cats definitely rank as second. She had several cats and most had musical names. A friend once said when did died she wanted to come back as one of Lucy Anne’s cats.
Everyone has a story to tell The January issue of Community Matters will focus on new beginnings. Do you have a story about a time you decided to start anew? What happened? How did that alter the course of your life? Contact Health Care Lifestyle Coordinator Loretta Cutler, and your story may be selected to appear in an upcoming Community Matters. 4
Community Matters November 2015
Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Message smay2@pmma.org and ask to have the newsletter delivered to your inbox. It’s that easy!