American Legion

By Ventura W. Tounsel (“Ace”)

This month we have an amazing opportunity to show our appreciation for America’s warfighters to every Soldier, Airman, Marine, Sailor, and Coast Guardsman 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.

Ace Tounsel from Post 109 of the American Legion

We all know that sharing your appreciation on social media and 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 and make their work experience in the military shine through; this will help them get 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.

Is winter coming?

By Charlotte Herkliska, Corona de Tucson Fire Marshal

As of early October, the weather is getting a little cooler. Soon, we may have to turn on the furnace and or pull out the space heaters. The Corona de Tucson Fire Department wants to remind you that you should never plug a space heater into a power strip or a power strip into another power strip. These units are not designed to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater and can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow. Please share and stay safe this winter season.

These images show what happens when a surge protector or power strip is misused. The point comes down to proper use. Even the best equipment can fail if not used correctly. No one manufacturer is at fault; it’s all about the end user’s ability to use the product safely.

Space heaters use an incredible amount of energy to produce their warming heat — between 10,000 and 40,000 Btu per hour. Basically, these machines get crazy hot, and 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths per year are associated with them, according to U.S. Product Safety Commission estimates. Additionally, 6,000 emergency room visits result from contact burns when adults and children accidentally touch a space heater.

“Another big mistake is putting something too close to a heating source,” says Corona de Tucson 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.

If you have fuel fire appliances in your home, keep combustibles away from the heat source, change your filters regularly and please be sure to change the battery in your CO detector.

Questions, concerns or a free home safety evaluation, please contact your local Fire Marshal. Corona de Tucson Fire Marshal: Charlotte Herdliska (520) 762-9370 cherdliska@coronafire.org.

Rincon Valley Fire: tmooney@rinconvalleyfd.org

Corona de Tucson Celebration

By Ellie Abraham

At one time, Corona de Tucson would host parades to celebrate momentous events. In today’s world of the pandemic, the only parades we see are to celebrate a birthday. The parade usually entails a stream of cars, bicycles, pedestrians moving past the home of the person being celebrated with everyone calling out birthday greetings and displaying signs.

On October 9 at noon, the birthday parade was in celebration of Carmela D’Amore’s 90th birthday. Her daughter Sandi and son-in-law Paul arranged a surprise parade led by the CdT Fire Department followed by Katie Bjorlin carrying the US flag. Behind Katie were friends and neighbors with signs, balloons, and flowers, all calling out well wishes and birthday greetings.

Carmela was surprised and happy to see all who participated in the event. She never stopped smiling or expressing her joy to see all who came out to wish her well on this special day. Congratulations to a beautiful lady.

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