By Ventura Tounsel

This month we have an amazing opportunity. We have a chance to show our appreciation to America’s warfighters. Every Soldier, Airman, Marine, Sailor, Coast Guardsman and Guardian who made a conscious decision to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. However, I want to challenge you to come up with a creative way to show your appreciation to these brave men and women. We all know that sharing your appreciation on social media or buying lunch are appropriate gestures. Another idea would be going to our local VA hospital.

Many vets are alone. When they are sick or injured, a visit in the hospital means more than you may ever know. Nothing says you appreciate veterans like visiting those in need. Are you a dog parent? Did you know you could have your pet certified as a therapy dog? You and your four-legged friend will be gratified by the joy that comes from a therapy dog visiting hospitals and retirement homes. Dogs are wonderful companions and can easily show that they appreciate veterans too! The last idea I want to share with you can pay dividends in a veteran’s life for years to come.

Help a veteran with their resume. When members of the military transition to the civilian workforce they often have no resume or place to start. An impressive resume makes a difference. Help a vet write their resume to make their work experience in the military shine through to how it will help them with a new job. This list is by no means all-inclusive. However, I hope this list is a good start to your journey to show a veteran you care for and appreciate them.
I would like invite all of you to American Legion Post 109 on 11 November at 11am as we celebrate our Veterans with a short service to show our appreciation for their service. We are looking forward to a good time. Join us!

Cold Weather & Carbon Monoxide Safety tips

By Charlotte Herdliska

CO alarms should be installed in a central location.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

Call 911 immediately if the CO alarm sounds.

Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call your fire department.

If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call 911 from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.

If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is clear of any obstacles or debris.

Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are not blocked and clear of any build-up.
A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.

Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO — only use outside.

Symptoms of CO poisoning
CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches. High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes.

The concentration of CO, measured in parts per million (ppm) is a determining factor in the symptoms for an average, healthy adult.

400 ppm: Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure.
800 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure.
1,000 ppm: Loss of consciousness after 1 hour of exposure.
1,600 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes of exposure.
3,200 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 30 minutes of exposure.
6,400 ppm: Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes of exposure.
12,800 ppm: Immediate physiological effects, unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes of exposure.
For additional fire safety information, contact your local Fire Marshal:

Worth Repeating: Heat Your Home Safely This Winter

By Charlotte Herdliska

While our winters here in Pima county may not get THAT cold, the Corona Fire Department, say safety must be your top priority since heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Follow the Fire Department’s suggestions to keep your home warm and safe.

“The biggest mistake is putting something too close to a heating source,” says Corona Fire Marshal Charlotte Herdliska. “Keep anything that can burn 3 feet away from space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiators.” Remember that skin burns too. Make sure that people and pets stay 3 feet away.

Use portable heaters that have been listed by a testing laboratory (look for the laboratory’s label). These heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch so that if they are tipped over, they will turn off on their own. Plug portable electric heaters directly into the wall outlet; DO NOT use an extension cord or power strip. Kerosene heaters must be refueled outside.

Please never plug a space heater into a power strip.

“Evenings (5-8 p.m.) are the peak time for home heating fires,” says Fire Marshal Charlotte “Turn space heaters off when you leave the room and before you fall asleep.”

“Older adults are at increased risk from home fires,” says Fire Marshal Charlotte. “Older adults have a higher home fire death rate, and heating is the second leading cause of fire deaths for people ages 65 and over.”
If you care for an older adult, plan for this increased risk. Check space heaters throughout the season. Make sure that bedding, throws and clothing are kept at least 3 feet away. Verify that fixed heating equipment is inspected every season and professionally cleaned when necessary. Talk with older adults to make sure that they understand their risk of burns and fire.
Plan for emergencies. Older adults may move more slowly or have trouble hearing a smoke alarm because of hearing loss. Make a home fire escape plan around their abilities.
Keep the telephone, hearing aids, and eyeglasses next to the bed. If someone in your care uses a cane or wheelchair, decide who will help him or her get out in an emergency.
*Please read our Cold Weather Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips about CO detectors.

For additional fire safety information, Fire Extinguishers and Co detectors contact your local Fire Marshal:

Corona Fire: Charlotte Herdliska (520) 762-9370 cherdliska@coronafire.org

Corona Cares Recipient
Ying Yeung Will Be Missed Dearly

One of the favorite recipients of Corona Cares was Ying Yeung. She was a Chinese immigrant who came to the US with her husband and four children. They settled in California where they raised their children. The children are all adults now with children and grandchildren of their own.

Ying’s husband wanted to return to China, Ying opted to remain in the US. Ying’s daughter Lee was working for DMAFB as a civilian contractor. She encouraged her mother to move to Tucson where she could live cheaper than in Southern California. Ying found a home in Corona de Tucson, a place where she tended to her plants and trees in her yard. She loved gardening and was known to climb the trees in her yard to trim the branches.

About a year after moving here, daughter Lee was offered a transfer to Japan. She invited Ying to go with her, but Ying preferred to remain in Tucson. She connected with Corona Cares for transportation to medical appointments and assistance in understanding the doctors’ diagnoses and instructions.

Ying was a frequent patron of the AmLegion Auxiliary Fellowship Day. She learned how to play dominoes and won more games than she lost. She formed friendships during the gatherings with people she may not have otherwise met. Ying was a small woman, barely four foot ten and maybe 100 pounds. Despite her size, she had the strongest belly laugh that could be heard across the room.
Ying loved going to the Gem Show, her home was filled with geodes along with interesting rocks she found on her walks. She also would spend time at the casino, playing the machines.

Ying’s children lived in other states, yet they kept in constant touch with their mother. Each year they would take turns having her visit at their homes. On her 80th birthday, her family surprised her with a family gathering in Portland to celebrate this momentous event.

Sadly, Ying was in a car accident in late September where she was hit by someone who ran a red light. She passed away from her injuries the next day.

Ying was well loved by our community. She will be missed by her family as well as all of her friends in Corona de Tucson. Rest in peace, dear friend.

Message from Corona Cares

To Carry Next-of-Kin Contact Information with You

Most of us rely on our cell phones that may have the “in-case-of-emergency contact information” stored in it in the event of an accident or life threatening situation, yet most of us also have a security code to access our phone and without it this information can’t be retrieved. However, what if you don’t have a cell phone, it gets damaged or lost? How would law enforcement or emergency responders be able to locate and or contact your family members?

For your welfare and to help law enforcement be able to reach your family in such circumstances, please carry a next-of-kin contact information card in your wallet, purse, and/or vehicle. Doing so will avoid agonizing days of a family not knowing your whereabouts or having to file a missing person report.

American Legion Post 109 Fellowship Day Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

The Auxiliary of Post 109 has been sponsoring Fellowship Day on Wednesdays for ten years. This is a labor of love for our community. Kathy Szakonyi had the idea for a gathering place for people to meet their neighbors, socialize, play games, and share a meal.

Long-term friendships have been formed at this gathering. These are people who may not otherwise have met one another. Stories and information have been shared at these gatherings. There have been many opportunities to share knowledge along with community news and changes.

The Auxiliary has been dedicated to the success of this program. The community has benefited from their faithful endeavor to make this gathering a success and important part of our village.

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