To Honor and Heal

   On Veterans Day, put out your flags, cheer the marchers at parades, and go to tributes. But when you wake up the next day, Nov. 12, remember that it’s still Veterans Day for our veterans — and it will be every day of their lives.    — Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)

    I have never served our country, never kissed my family goodbye, wondering if I would see them again after months in a foreign land.  I have never missed the birth of my child or subsequent birthdays. I have never taken someone’s life in the name of our country or watched a friend pass in front of me. I will never understand these pains, this level of trauma or loss. 

    My father is a Vietnam Veteran, his father served before him in Korea. My other grandfather served in WWII. I am married to a Navy veteran. The military, in some manner, has always been part of my life. Despite these connections, I can honestly say I know very little about what it means to be a vet.  

    On February 23rd I will have the opportunity to hear The Warriors Arts Alliance present at our next Saturday Writers Meeting. The Warriors Arts Alliance is a veteran support organization encouraging the expression and healing of Missouri’s veterans and their families. Their anthology, "Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors" is a collection of short stories and poetry by men and women who served in our military.  

    This work, featuring veterans spanning several decades, is written from the heart and soul of men and women who have served our country proudly. Some stories are written and read as essays or newspaper articles, while others are written as deeply personal journal entries to which we have been given a private glimpse. Regardless of the format, the works are all poignant, raw, and very real.

    Deb Marshall, Director of Warriors Arts Alliance and former President of the Missouri Writers Guild, and a panel of anthology contributors to "Proud to Be..." will host this storytelling workshop with readings and discussions. Please join me on Saturday, February 23^rd in supporting our veterans as they share their stories and help us to walk in their shoes for the shortest of times. 

Photo Credit: Warriors Arts Alliance

Name Shame

     What an exciting month! I’m not talking about the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, or President’s Day – all with unique merits of their own. Oh no, I’m focusing on Heart Month. There are so many moving Go Red for Women/AHA events taking place throughout the St. Louis area, all with opportunities to raise awareness about women’s heart health issues. I hope you will be able to attend one before the end of this short month. It’s kind of sad that Heart Month is in the shortest of all months. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in women (1 in 3 women), we need as many days as possible dedicated to the cause. Hmm, I may need to talk to someone about that!

    I have no doubt February will be gone in the blink of an eye. Time just seems to pass more quickly than it used to. That said, it is time to start thinking about the annual Heart Walk that takes place in May. This year’s walk is May 4^th so mark your calendars now!

    This leads me to my reason for today’s post. I am in desperate need of help! My writer brain must have taken the day (or week) off. I am coming up bone dry on a team name. I want something fun and clever, something catchy. All I am coming up with is blah! So I turn to you my writer friends, heart sisters, and loved ones from near and far – please, help me with a name!

    I am in the beginning stages of putting my team together and would love to have you walking by my side on May 4^th.  If you are interested in joining my team, please let me know.  As a walker, you will have the opportunity to help raise money for this worthwhile cause and come out for a fun-filled day with thousands of other survivors and supporters.

    I eagerly await your ideas about a team name. I know you can do it! Thank you for helping this survivor/writer with a terrible case of writer’s block! – Karen 

Photo Credit: Jeffry Englert

The Beat Goes On

February 1^st was National Go Red day in support of heart disease awareness. Across our country, men, women, children, and animals were decked out in red! Even the Empire State Building joined in the fun. It was a beautiful and moving day, especially for those who have been impacted personally by heart disease. I helped at the St. Louis AHA Luncheon with over a thousand of my heart allies, finding myself overwhelmed by the amazing energy in the ballroom throughout the afternoon.

Our work has just started though. February 1^st kicks off heart month. All throughout February, we will work tirelessly to help educate and advocate. You may get sick of hearing from me, but please know, I need the American Heart Association to save my life. I depend on the research and the continued support of AHA and Go Red.

Debora Grandison, survivor, Karen Guccione-Englert, survivor, and Rachelle Bartnick, St. Louis AHA

If you weren’t able to Go Red on the 1^st, that’s okay. You can do it all month! Here are some fun ideas for any day in February:

At work:

- hang up red holiday lights in your office or cubicle

- decorate with red poinsettias

- type in red for all your messages

- have a heart healthy lunch with co-workers and invite a speaker in to share heart-healthy tips

- ask your co-workers to Go Red with you and encourage them to wear red

At home:

- bake cookies with red sprinkles or cupcakes with red icing

- hang up red holiday lights, balloons or streamers

- decorate with red poinsettias

- if you have a pet, put a red bandana or bow on him/her

- ask your whole family to Go Red with you and encourage them to wear red

At school:

- feature red foods or heart-healthy foods in the cafeteria

- invite a speaker in to share heart-healthy tips

- participate in Hoops for Hearts or Jump Rope for your Heart

- dress up for Go Red and have a contest for the wackiest or most creative GO RED outfit

At church or special interest group:

- invite a speaker in to share heart-healthy tips

- offer up special intentions and/or prayers for those impacted by heart disease and for the doctors and researchers working hard to end it

- add a message about heart month in your church's newsletter or bulletin

Karen, Kim, and Mary -- 3 survivors from St. Charles

Thank you for your support of Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association. I am living proof of their amazing work. With them, the beat goes on! - Karen

As always, there is no pressure but should you wish to donate directly to the AHA and Go Red, please use the following URL:

http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/donate/advocatedonationform.html?kwoAdvocateId=536SMJ3

Photo Credits: American Heart Association, St. Louis Chapter members