Aging Warriors November 2018

November/December 2018

The Truth About Gratitude Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. Watch any Thanksgiving-themed TV show or film, and you are bound to see a family seated around a table with an array of mouthwatering food. As the family digs into the meal, each person takes a turn listing all that they are thankful for that year. While I believe that being grateful is important, Remember the Small Things

little girl, I watched my mom and grandmother run the kitchen on Thanksgiving; so the vast majority of meals I know how to make were learned from them. This year, I will be making my homemade cranberry sauce and cornbread dressing — what we Southerners call “stuffing!” My mom and I will

I can’t help but wonder if those lighthearted portrayals are less than realistic. For this reason, I think it’s far better to be practical about gratitude on Thanksgiving. If you have an abundance of things to be thankful for, then by all means, be thankful for them. But if you can only come up with one or two small things, then that is perfectly fine, too. The small things matter just as much as the big ones.

also cook the turkey in an oven bag. A lot of people don’t like to use the bag because they want to preserve the appearance of the turkey. To me, taste is far more important than aesthetics. Just as I believe it’s better to be realistic about gratitude, I think it’s far more important to focus on the food’s taste rather than the appearance of it. While the Thanksgiving celebrations I’ve had as an adult aren’t as big as the ones I had as a little girl, I am so grateful for them. I am grateful that I get to spend time with my husband and my kids and that we are healthy enough to travel and celebrate the day together. I’m grateful that my kids are wonderful human beings and that they genuinely like each other. Additionally, I am so grateful for the phenomenal people that I have the opportunity to meet through my business. All the encounters I have with veterans and their families have had a lasting impact on my life, and the passion that propels me forward every day stems from working with these heroes. While I’ve held several other occupations throughout my life, Aging Warriors is the first business I’ve owned. Every single time I get off the phone with a client, I get to reflect on their stories, which allows me to help them navigate complex systems and get them the benefits they deserve. This business is the first time in my career that I feel like I am truly making a difference, and I have my amazing clients to thank for that. So this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to reflect on the things for which you are truly thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything, give thanks.” Even if your list is small, that doesn’t mean that your gratitude isn’t real.

All the encounters I have with veterans and their families have had a lasting impact on my life,

In fact, my family’s Thanksgiving tradition might be considered small in comparison to others’ holiday celebrations. Because my husband travels for work, where we spend the day really depends on his schedule. Last year, for example, we rented a log cabin in the Poconos up in Pennsylvania. Because of the travel time, I decided that it would be easier to order in rather than cook a big dinner. Consequently, my kids told me that this year, I definitely have to cook!

– Jackie Lane

Fortunately, my mom will be travelling with us to help me with all the preparations. When I was a

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You fought for our country, now we’ll fight for YOU!

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Can a Reverse Mortgage Help You? Andi Hays, Branch Manager at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group

What Does Veterans Day Mean to You?

The History of Veterans Day

Through Aging Warriors, I’ve been able to meet some amazing people whose professional skills help the heroic veterans I get to work with daily. The person I want to highlight for this edition is Andi Hays, the Branch Manager at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. Andi has been a

This month, Americans will take time to observe Veterans Day, a holiday nationally recognized for the last 80 years. But in all these years of commemoration, some people might be unaware that the holiday used to have a different name. In 1938, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared Nov. 11 “Armistice Day” to honor the end of World War I, which took place the same day 20 years prior. When the legislation officially passed, Eisenhower requested that Americans all across the country dedicate their efforts toward the cause of world peace. In fact, the word “armistice” refers to an agreement to cease fighting made by opposing sides in a war. During that time, the joy that emanated from the end of the Great War was palpable, and every year on Nov. 11, U.S. citizens took time to remember that joy and celebrate worldwide peace. If you know your history, then you know that by 1954, the U.S. military fought in two more wars, World War II and the Korean War. With the end of the Korean War, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “armistice” and inserting the word “veterans.” With the approval of the legislation, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. From that day onward, the entire nation paid recognition to the hard work and sacrifices those soldiers made to protect our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All the amazing aspects that come with living in the United States stem from the dedication and perseverance of our nation’s military personnel. Their choices to leave their homes and their families to ensure the greater good of our country exemplifies their patriotic allegiance even in times of great strife. For this reason, the 110th Congress designated the week of Nov. 9–15 as National Veterans Awareness Week to emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the contributions and sacrifices of veterans for the country. Hopefully as time goes on, every man, woman, and child will be able to learn exactly what veterans accomplished and endured to keep our nation as wonderful as it is.

branch manager for eight years, having served at this specific branch for more than two years. According to Andi, one of the most interesting and accommodating types of loans she oversees are reverse mortgages. If you are familiar with the more commonly used traditional mortgage — the type used to purchase a home — then a reverse mortgage might initially seem odd. But with over 4,800 Floridians opting for this alternative approach to monthly home payments, it might be worth considering. Essentially, a reverse mortgage is a loan that a homeowner who is 62 or older with considerable home equity can borrow against the value of their home and receive funds. They can receive these funds as a lump sum, fixed monthly payments, or a line of credit. Unlike a standard mortgage, a reverse mortgage does NOT require the homeowner to make any loan payments. Instead, the entire loan balance becomes due and payable when the borrower moves out of the home, sells it, or passes away. When this occurs, the proceeds from the sale of the home go to the lender to repay the reverse mortgage’s principal, interest, mortgage insurance, and other fees. Because Andi has worked with several clients interested in reverse mortgage loans, she has a solid idea of the people who would benefit most from them. For clients who are 62 or older, reverse mortgages can be a great way to get cash when home equity is their biggest asset. Unlike a home equity loan or line of credit, people considering a reverse mortgage don’t need an income or a high credit score to qualify. The desire to help people reach their ideas of success has led Andi to pursue her career in mortgage banking; and for the past 18 years, that is exactly what she has done. Beyond her expertise in lending, Andi is an all-around wonderful person with a heart to serve; and I fully recommend her to all my clients who are interested in reverse mortgages or any other type of home loan. If you want more information, feel free to contact Andi at (772) 336-3570.

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across

Crossword

1 Applaud 5 Autumn 9 Roman IV 13 Model

40 Tack 41 Lab animal

42 Relating to the ear 43 Play sweetly (music) 44 Frost 45 Noggen 46 Lurked 47 Brief expression 49 Old-fashioned dads 50 Prompt 53 Be on fire 55 Old

14 Domain 15 Furious 16 Speck 17 Cry like a cat 18 Framed 19 Large gourd-like orange fruit 21 Southwest by south 23 Resort hotel 24 Wing

57 Juice pressed from apples used for drinking or making vinegar 60 Goofs 62 German composer 63 Wood nymph 64 Tool consisting of a long handle and of row of tines 65 Island 66 Seethe 67 Opaque gem 68 Stags

25 Motels 29 Jimmy 30 Scent 32 Positive vote

33 Sound of a sneeze 36 Fruit of the oak tree 37 ___Lanka 38 Frog’s cousin 39 Conquer

Down

Chocolate Kris-Crinkle Cookies The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a batch of homemade cookies. Don’t forget to save some for Santa!

1 Cowboy leg wear 2 Respite

33 A vacation (2 words) 34 Instructor 35 Malicious person

3 Perfume 4 Splendor 5 Parents and children 6 Stadium 7 MGM’s lion 8 Statutes 9 White covering of dew- frozen crystals 10 Grain 11 North American Indian 12 First color on the spectrum

36 Manner 39 Suspect 40 Pole

ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1/2 cup cocoa • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/4 teaspoon salt 1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and whisk in until mixture is well-combined and crumbly. 2. Add eggs and vanilla and stir by hand just until dough directions

42 Funny 43 Record 46 Gretel’s friend 48 Right angle of a ships length

• 1/3 cup butter, at room temperature • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten • 2 teaspoons vanilla • Powdered sugar, for rolling 3. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and roll the balls in powdered sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 12–14 minutes,

49 Heavy coat 50 Terminate 51 Male relative 52 Anesthetic 54 Roman emperor

15 Present from birth 20 Corn syrup brand 22 Spiral 26 Artist’s need

56 Same cite as previous 57 Central Daylight Time

27 Musical 28 Fishnet 29 Pea holder 30 Sea 31 Girl’s toy

or until just set around the edges but still soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

58 Anger 59 Tinge 61 Knock

comes together. If dough is dry, use your hands to combine it into a soft, sticky dough.

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You fought for our country, now we’ll fight for YOU!

772-232-6177

850 NW Federal Highway #410 Stuart, Florida 34994 www.AgingWarriorBenefits.com 772-232-6177

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Meet Chips TheWWII Hero Dog War heroes are revered for their acts of bravery in times of combat — and Chips, the shepherd-collie- husky crossbreed, is no different. During World War II, Have questions?We’re here to help. Call us at 772-232-6177! Or visit us at www.AgingWarriorBenefits.com Professional planning by AgingWarriors is essential in helping you receive the maximum benefit and must be done prior to making application with the VA. The benefits can help veterans, their spouses, or surviving spouses of veterans obtain tax-free income that can have a huge effect on the medical assistance that they receive by allowing them to maintain or perhaps even improve their standard of living.

Crossword solution from page 3

the hut, their hands raised. Chips left the fight with burns and a scalp wound, but his actions saved the lives of all the men in his platoon, and later that day, he discovered more enemy soldiers.

the Wren family donated Chips to Dogs for Defense shortly after the U.S. joined the war. Of the 40,000 dogs donated to the corps, more than 10,000 were selected to participate in the program after training. Chips was shipped off with his handler, Private Rowell, to French Morocco. Chips and Rowell patrolled the Casablanca Conference, where Chips was introduced to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Following the meeting, Rowell and Chips went to Sicily to support the invasion as part of Operation Husky, which was where Chips earned his hero status. On July 10, 1943, Allied soldiers were attacked on the beach by an enemy machine gun team. Chips ran for the hut where the barrage of bullets was coming from and tore into the enemies. His handler described hearing rapid noise and seeing Chips gripping one of the men by his throat until Rowell ordered the dog down. Three more men came out of

On Jan. 15, 2018 — 75 years after the Casablanca

Conference — Chips was posthumously

awarded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals Dickin Medal, the highest award an animal can achieve for their time in military conflict in Britain. After his service, Chips returned to live with the Wren family. On U.S. soil, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. These honors were eventually stripped by the Army after a policy barred animals from earning the same medals as people, but his platoon awarded him the Theater Ribbon and battle stars for his eight campaigns. To the men Chips saved, medals didn’t make him a hero — his selfless actions did.

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

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