Tag August

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 32 Comments

Each year on the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day honors the mothers, fathers and families of fallen military service members. Also known as National Gold Star Mother’s Day, the day serves as a reminder of the losses suffered by military families. 

The price of freedom can be measured by those who have given their full measure of devotion, and the families left behind.  It is a debt that can never be fully repaid.

Since World War I, the observance has provided a way to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter who served our country in the United States Armed Forces. 

A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Gold Star mothers and families know the immeasurable cost of fighting for the ideals we believe in, and they know the pride that comes with exemplary service to America.
~ President Barack Obama ~ September 23, 2011 ~ Presidential Proclamation 

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY HISTORY

On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day and proclaimed annually by each president.  In 2011, President Barack Obama amended the day to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.”

Organizations around the country honor Gold Star families through ceremonies, luncheons, and teas. They give back to their communities by remembering fallen service members. Service organizations provide opportunities to remember the fallen and their families. Their ceremonies take place at military memorial sights and veteran’s cemeteries. On the local, state and national levels, representatives speak of the importance of remembering our fallen sons and daughters while continuing to care for their families.   

The history of National Gold Star Mother’s Day and their families begins with a young country thrown in the midst of a great war. Army Captian Robert L. Queissner, whose two sons were serving on the front line during World War I, created what is now called the Service Flag. The flag was displayed with a blue star to represent a child serving in the military during times of war or hostilities. When a service member died, families stitched a gold star over the blue star.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929 and obtained a federal charter from the United States Congress.  It began in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the United States. 

Membership in any one organization is not required for gold star mothers to access benefits. Please visit military.com for more information.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #GoldStarMothersDay

An ocean often divided families from their deceased sons, as was the case of the founder of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. organization, Grace Darling Seibold. While waiting for confirmation of her son’s death, she visited the VA hospital almost daily and made herself useful in the process. Afterward, she continued to visit the hospital and formed the organization that unites gold star mothers still today.

We always honor our Military and First respnders.

Attend a ceremony or organize an event in your community. Remember the fallen in your family, share their stories and offer support to members of the gold star family. Use #GoldStarMothersDay to post on social media.

Gold Star Mother's Day Garden Flag 12.5×18'' Army Military Marine Corps Family Memorial Day Veterans Day 4th of July Decoration for Outdoor Lawn Yard Decor
Gold Star Mother’s Day Garden Flag 12.5×18” Army Military Marine Corps Family Memorial Day Veterans Day 4th of July Decoration for Outdoor Lawn Yard Decor
Gold Star Families: By Iman Nasser
Gold Star Families: By Iman Nasser

NATIONAL TEAL TALK DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 13 Comments

Let’s talk. September 23rd is Teal Talk Day and each year, over 249,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide. So, gather your friends, wear teal for a day out together and talk.

Join a group of co-workers for lunch. Men are welcome, also. They have mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters at risk for ovarian cancer. They should have the Teal Talk, too! Since no standard screening exists for ovarian cancer, awareness gives us our best defense. The talk takes very little time. Have a Teal Talk over lunch. In that time, approximately 28 women will receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Invite your closest friends, neighbors, and sisters for drinks in the back yard. Wear your favorite teal and give the Teal Talk. Let them know early detection improves survival rates by 90%. Make sure they know the symptoms.

  • Persistent bloating
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling fuller sooner.

During your Teal Talk, find more signs at Ovarcome.org.

Go for a walk with your mom and her friends. Even a short walk will be long enough for a Teal Talk. Ask them about family history and encourage them to share it with their daughters and granddaughters. Urge them to see their gynecologist to review family history for inherited risk factors. Families with a strong history of ovarian or breast cancer have a 15-40% lifetime risk when compared to the general population, according to the National Cancer Institute.

TEAL TALK DAY HISTORY

Ovarcome founded Teal Talk Day to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and to encourage everyone to talk about it. With no screening currently available, Ovarcome wants you to be on top of symptoms – be empowered. You can help save a life!

Ovarcome was founded on February 23, 2012. In 2017, Ovarcome celebrated five years of service to the ovarian cancer community by starting this national and global movement. Ovarian cancer is a Silent Disease – but Ovarcome encourages you to be VOCAL about it! In the absence of a screening test, knowledge and awareness empower women and families to overcome the disease. Teal Talk Day brings that knowledge and awareness to you.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #TealTalkDay

Celebrate Teal Talk Day in honor of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, too. Ovarcome encourages you to talk about ovarian cancer, especially on September 23rd, but also every day. Every day is a good day to talk about ovarian cancer. Follow Ovarcome on FB, Twitter, and Instagram for information, education, updates, and Teal celebrations! Together, we can Ovarcome!

  • Discuss the symptoms. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms.
  • Encourage the women in your life to maintain their routine exams.
  • Learn more about ovarian cancer.
  • Support organizations researching treatments, a cure, and advanced screening methods.
  • Support those who receive the diagnosis.
  • Share your story to help inform others.

Find out more information at Ovarcome.org and have the Teal Talk with the people in your lives. Use #TealTalkDay to share on social media.

Hummingbird Holding Teal Ribbon Ovarian Cancer Awareness T-Shirt
Hummingbird Holding Teal Ribbon Ovarian Cancer Awareness T-Shirt
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Cancer Awareness Bracelet, For Showing Support or Fundraising Campaign, 18 colors to choose from, Adult Sized with Extension. Comes Packaged.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY POPSICLE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Blueberry Popsicle Day on September 2nd also kicks off National Blueberry Popsicle Month. Scheduled in the midst of the dog days of summer, it’s a delicious way to cool off. Purchase a box of blueberry-flavored Popsicles or make your own. Either way, the treat will be a tasty one! With the end of summer at hand, now is the time to celebrate this National Day.

In San Francisco, California, in 1905, 11-yr-old Frank Epperson was outside on his porch, mixing water with a white powdered flavoring to make soda.  Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it.  That night the temperature reached a record low and the following morning, Frank discovered the drink had frozen to the stick.

Years later, in 1922, Epperson introduced his treat at a fireman’s ball where it was a huge success. Then in 1923, he made and sold his frozen treat-on-a-stick at an amusement park in Alameda, California.  Epperson applied for a patent in 1924 for his frozen confectionery, which he called “Epsicle” ice pop.  He then renamed it “Popsicle“.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #BlueberryPopsicleDay

Be sure to get yourself a blueberry Popsicle and use #BlueberryPopsicleDay to post on social media. Here is an Easy Homemade Blueberry Popsicles Recipe to try out. We have some other terrific ideas for a berry blueberry celebration:

  • Share a Blueberry Popsicle recipe with us. If you do, we will be sure to give you credit, too!
  • Bring blueberry popsicles to share at work, school or with friends.
  • Order some blueberries from your favorite store.
  • Take a selfie as you enjoy your frozen treat.
  • Bring blueberry Popsicles to a game or the beach in a cooler packed with ice.
  • Add a blueberry Popsicle to your favorite carbonated clear soda. It will cool your drink and flavor it, too!

Don’t forget to share your Blueberry Popsicle celebration on social media, too. Use #NationalBlueberryPopsicleDay.

National Preparedness Month

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

Disasters don’t plan ahead, but you can. The entire month of September observes National Preparedness Month.

No matter where you live, you are subject to disasters. Natural disaster and man-made disasters affect everyone and will cause severe damage and endanger lives. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, hot spells or cold spells are all natural disasters that can be deadly to people and property.

Man-made disasters such as terrorism, crime, power outages, famines, or war are just as terrifying as any natural disasters. Preparation is essential for the safety of you and your family. It can also ensure valuable personal possessions are taken care of properly before you lose them.

Family First

Deciding how long a disaster will last and the after-effects are the first step in preparation. Depending on the type of emergency, you may need food and water for a few days. Food that is easily stored and prepared is critical during a disaster. When disaster strikes, you want to make sure your family has water to last for a specified duration of time. It is recommended each family member have 1 gallon of water per day to remain hydrated. Having proper eating utensils, small stoves that run off propane or a grill for cooking, matches, candles, blankets and extra clothes are a few items to pack away in a safe, accessible place. Try not to forget about family activities! Pack away some board games, cards or books to help the time pass by. Having things for children to do will also keep their mind at ease.

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Augason Farms Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail Emergency Food Supply 4-Gallon Pail
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WaterStorageCube BPA Free Collapsible Water Container with Spigot, Camping Water Storage Carrier Jug for Outdoors Hiking Backpack & Survival Kit, Foldable Portable Water Canteen 1.3/2.6/5.3 Gallon

More than half of all parents lack a designated meeting place to fall back to in an emergency. Family fire drills may seem silly, but they do serve a purpose. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t have a list of emergency contact numbers either. Make sure the entire family has memorized any numbers that are of significance in the case of disaster.

Personal Property

Finally, personal property is always a concern when natural disaster hits. Though it’s not always possible, you can do a few things to make sure you save the valuable documents that mean the most to you. Make an Emergency Binder.

If you have a computer, you can scan any documents and put them on an external drive. Store the drive someplace safe and dry. With today’s technology, we can save our photo memories more easily. If saving photographs of family is important, consider scanning them on an external so you can reprint them if the originals are lost or destroyed.

Most importantly, make sure your insurance policies are up-to-date. You can visit your insurance agent any time to review what you have, what is covered and what options you have in the event a disaster destroys your home or vehicles.

HISTORY

The Department of Homeland Security designated September as National Preparedness Month to educate the public on the importance of disaster preparation.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Preparing for a disaster might seem like an impossible task and we hope you never have to experience one. But if you do, government agencies like FEMA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as organizations like the American Red Cross, provide excellent websites with enough information to get you started. These websites also offer suggestions on how to plan in specific instances, like being without power for weeks.

Your insurance companies will also have information you can use as you prepare. Insurance companies encourage families to prepare for disasters. It makes their jobs easier once the emergency is over and it also gives you peace of mind that you were covered correctly. Make sure to connect to your county’s Emergency Management system. They will be able to provide warnings, information and help if disaster strikes near you.

Use #NationalPreparednessMonth in social media postings.

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Fireproof Document Box with Lock, File Organizer 2-Layer Collapsible File Safe with Reflective Strip, Portable Travel Home Office File Cabinet for Hanging Letter/Legal Size Folder/Certificate Black
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NATIONAL SOUTH CAROLINA DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

On August 31, National South Carolina Day recognizes The Palmetto State and her unique landscapes, bold personalities, and long history.

Catawbas and Cherokee were some of the first to greet Spanish and French explorers in the 16th century. Their tribes dotted the land with villages. The Englished established the first successful settlement near present-day Charleston. Named Carolina initially after King Charles I, the colony later split into North and South Carolina in 1710. Following in the footsteps of the previous colonies, South Carolina would become the eight state to ratify the constitution.

Though South Carolina may have been more removed from some of the Revolutionary concerns than states like Massachusetts and Connecticut, it hosted some pivotal, if seemingly small battles. They all begin with the hard-fought and devastating loss at Charles Town. What is now known as the Siege of Charleston, is the largest battle to ever take place in the state. Not even Civil War battles compare. While the British claimed the city and some 5,000 prisoners, the course was set for victories to the west at Cowpens and King’s Mountain.

Slavery and the Civil War play a significant role in South Carolina’s complex social, political and economic profile. Much of the beauty of South Carolina is reflected in their soulful music and emotive art expressing the voices of generations.

Harleston Green in Charleston established the first golf club in the United States in 1786.

With 187 miles of Atlantic coastline, South Carolina is more than ideal for a beach getaway. With idyllic oceanfront towns, historical tours, delicious seafood, and golf there is a little bit of adventure for everyone.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNorthCarolinaDay

Explore all of South Carolina’s beauty, culture, and history on August 31. Join us as we celebrate South Carolina’s hospitality, stunning landscapes, and dynamic people.  

Use #NationalSouthCarolinaDay to share on social media.

Notable People

Francis Marion – Revolutionary – (1732 – February 27, 1795)

The Swamp Fox: How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution Kindle Edition by John Oller  (Author)
The Swamp Fox: How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution Kindle Edition

by John Oller  (Author)

Angelina (February 20, 1805 – October 26, 1879) and Sarah Grimke – Activist – (November 26, 1792 – December 23, 1873)

The Grimké Sisters from South Carolina: Pioneers for Women's Rights and Abolition 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition by Gerda Lerner  (Author) 
The Grimké Sisters from South Carolina: Pioneers for Women’s Rights and Abolition 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition

by Gerda Lerner  (Author) 

Kelly Miller – Mathematician – (July 18, 1863 – December 29, 1939)

Kelly Miller Mathematics
Kelly Miller

Mathematics

Julia Peterkin – Author – (October 31,1880 – August 10, 1961)

Julia Peterkin Author
Julia Peterkin

Author
Scarlet Sister Mary: A Novel (Brown Thrasher Books) Paperback – January 9, 2004 by Julia Peterkin (Author), A. J. Verdelle (Foreword)
Scarlet Sister Mary: A Novel (Brown Thrasher Books)

by Julia Peterkin (Author), A. J. Verdelle (Foreword)

Strom Thurmond – Governor – (December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003)

Strom: The Complicated Personal and Political Life of Strom Thurmond Paperback – Illustrated, June 27, 2006 by Jack Bass  (Author), Marilyn W. Thompson (Author)
Strom: The Complicated Personal and Political Life of Strom Thurmond – Illustrated

by Jack Bass  (Author), Marilyn W. Thompson (Author)

Melvin Purvis – FBI Agent – (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960)

The Vendetta: Special Agent Melvin Purvis, John Dillinger, and Hoover's FBI in the Age of Gangsters Kindle Edition by Alston Purvis (Author) 
The Vendetta: Special Agent Melvin Purvis, John Dillinger, and Hoover’s FBI in the Age of Gangsters Kindle Edition

by Alston Purvis (Author) 

William Westmoreland – General – (March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005)

Westmoreland: A Biography of General William C. Westmoreland Paperback – September 1, 1995 by Samuel Zaffiri (Author)
Westmoreland: A Biography of General William C. Westmoreland

by Samuel Zaffiri (Author)

James Brown – Musician – (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006 )

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown Kindle Edition by RJ Smith  (Author)
The One: The Life and Music of James Brown Kindle Edition

by RJ Smith  (Author)

Althea Gibson – Athlete – (August 25, 1927 – September 28, 2003)

Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl Hardcover – Illustrated, January 21, 2020 by Megan Reid (Author), Laura Freeman  (Illustrator)
Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis’ Fleet-of-Foot Girl Hardcover – Illustrated, January 21, 2020

by Megan Reid (Author), Laura Freeman  (Illustrator)


Chubby Checker – Singer – (October 3, 1941-)

The Very Best Of Chubby Checker Chubby Checker 
The Very Best Of Chubby Checker

Chubby Checker 

South Carolina Flavor

South Carolinians and southerners in particular like their iced tea. Finding a good sweet tea anywhere else in the country can be a challenge.

Another South Carolina feast is a Beaufort Stew. Also known as a Lowcountry Boil, this simple but flavorful dish combines shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, and potatoes. Once boiled, the entire meal is served on a paper-covered table. Invite the whole family over and dive in for all the deliciousness!

Get one of the ultimate comfort foods in South Carolina. The Palmetto State specializes in baking macaroni and cheese that’s especially comforting and cheesy.

Black-eyed peas served with rice and bacon is transformed into a dish known as Hoppin’ John. In the South, Black-eyed peas are said to bring good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day.

The Southern delicacy of Pimento Cheese finds its way into high-class events or lazy afternoon picnics. It’s referred to as “Carolina caviar” and can be a garnish or a dip.

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