GoodNews

GoodNewsFL.org 25 MAY 2018 LOCAL The National Salute to America’s Heroes is a patriotically infused music festival, wrapped in a world- class Air & Sea Show®, climaxing with spectacular star-spangled fire- works. The Memorial Day Weekend event will include the electrifying Air & Sea Show®, along with the Mu- sic Explosion™, and a host of other family-friendly events. Military Makeover , which will be on hand to film all the festivities, is pro- ducing a full 30-minute TV special about the National Salute that will air July 4 on Lifetime. As a proud supporter of men and women who faithfully serve in our country’s armed forces, BrandStar has pro- duced Military Makeover for almost five years as a way to o er hope and a helping hand to members of our military and their loved ones. The show enlists decorators, design- ers, landscapers and contractors to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The Air & Sea Show®, dubbed “The Greatest Show Above the Earth,” will showcase the men, women, technology and equipment from all five branches of the United States Military, as well as police o cers, firefighters and their first respond- er agencies over two days on the beautiful shores of Miami Beach. The event’s Music Explosion™ will feature artists Shaggy, MAX, Kent Jones, USAF Honor Guard Drill Team and host DJ Irie. The show will culminate with a thrilling pyro-para- chute demonstration by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team, kicking o the spectacular fireworks extravaganza presented by Infinity Real Estate. Other activities at the National Sa- lute include the Action Zone, where fans can witness adrenaline-pump- ing demonstrations and competi- tions like a lumberjack show, free- style motocross and the Firefighter Combat Challenge®. Additionally, the National Salute will house the Display Village, featuring four city blocks of exciting interactive dis- plays along Ocean Drive that high- light our nation’s military. The National Salute to America’s Heroes is driven by the Salute 365 Initiative, whose mission is to con- nect thoughtful Americans and our patriotic corporate sponsors with our national heroes, paying tribute to them by providing recognition, encouragement and support. TV Show Military Makeover Teams with National Salute to America’s Heroes Local content solutions provider BrandStar is proud to announce a partnership between its national TV show Military Makeover , airing on Lifetime, and the 2018 National Salute to America’s Heroes, an extraordinary event taking place Memorial DayWeekend (May 26-27) in Miami Beach to honor those who loyally serve our country. Find out all the details about the 2018 National Salute to American Heroes at USAsalute.com Military Makeover airs on Lifetime TV on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. To watch full episodes, please go online to MilitaryMakeover.tv grees and enjoy a rewarding career. The "old man" kept "me in the game" long enough for me to achieve my second- ary dream. He came through for me. He insisted on taking me to school as I started first grade; he wanted to intro- duce me to some of his friends. As we approached the Catholic school, a police- man stood in the corner help- ing children cross the street. He introduced us and then we proceeded inside the school to the sight of a nun dressed in black, with what looked like a parabolic an- tenna hat on her head and a huge cross on her chest; he introduced us, and she turned out to be my teacher. And lastly, he introduced me to Padre Benito, the town's priest, who was also the school's principal. "These, he said, are three of the most important people in our town; they pro- tect, teach and bring the Word." This may be lost in today's world, but they be- came entrenched in me. I was a federal agent for 32 years, have been a college adjunct professor for 21 and have been privileged to teach Bible studies for the past ten years. The "old man" did know best . Making a home Soon he began to deterio- rate physically and began to suffer dementia, which led us to put him in a home. He loved the place, surrounded by family and friends, his dog, his old desk and all his "stuff." For you see, we did not take him to a nursing home, but kept him in HIS home as sons, grandchil- dren, in-laws and sisters took turns taking care of him. He sat at the head of the table at sup- per every day and enjoyed his family. He may have lost his mind, but he never lost his loved ones. And, guess what. This was not an unusual prac- tice; most families in our "third world" country dealt with end of life issues in the same man- ner...personally! Boy, did I need himwhen I moved to the United States! I was at a loss as to why sand- wiches contained ice cream in- stead of meat, why beanswere sweet, why dogs got their own food instead of leftovers and why butter was made from peanuts.What hewould not be able to explain to me is why so many senior citizens in this country are shunned, shut in, and shushed. What would my life be today ifAbuelo had been interned in a nursing home? I shudder to think. Hundreds of “abuelos” During the past four years, I have been privileged to serve at Heart2Heart, a non-profit faith based organ- ization that brings "family and friends" to those in care facil- ities. By recruiting volunteers from local churches to inter- act with our seniors, we are trying to replicate what Abuelo had... hope, human interaction, respect, care and love. However, the need is staggering and the workers are few. In Broward County alone, more than 60 percent of residents do not receive ONE visitor in a given year! One of those was Mari- lyn, a sweet lady who has been in a local nursing home for the past 15 years and who had not left her room for the past 12. She is a double am- putee due to diabetes. One day we were visiting her facil- ity and I began a long conver- sation with her; I promised her that I would return at the exact time the following week, and when I did, she was over- whelmed that I actually fol- lowed through on my prom- ise. Subsequently, she allowed me to take her throughout the facility in a wheelchair. The staff cried as they saw Marilyn out and about for the first time in so many years. Abuelo would have been proud. What about you?Whether 14 or 84, or somewhere in be- tween, there are hundreds of "Abuelos" locally waiting for you; and if it's true that your visit will make an impact on them. It is just as true that your life will change for the better. Mine did; rolling Marilyn around the facil- ity took care of that. Leviticus 19:32 gives us the charge, "You shall rise up before the gray headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.” For more on how you can be a friend to seniors, visit heart2heartoutreach.org.