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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404-994-6218 | JULY 2019
A UNIQUE FOURTH OF JULY TRADITION RUNNING THE PEACHTREE ROAD RACE
W hen you think of the Lighting off fireworks? Grilling burgers at a cookout? Maybe that’s your time to spend with your family on vacation. Everyone’s Fourth of July traditions are different, and, for the past four years, I’ve joined thousands of other runners in Atlanta on Independence Day for the Peachtree Road Race. The Peachtree Road Race is the largest 10K race in the country. Around 60,000 people participate every year. The energy around the race feels more like a huge party than a massive feat of fitness, and tons of vendors give out all kinds of food, including doughnuts and beer. Racers sometimes dress up in costumes, and there’s dancing — it’s just an all- around good time. Fourth of July, what kinds of activities come to mind? I wasn’t always someone who enjoyed running. The first time I ran the Peachtree 10K, it was because Chad Murphy convinced me to do it with him. I didn’t expect it, but running that 10K inspired me. Now I run it every Fourth of July, plus train for and run other road races. I’ve kept training for road races the past four years for a few reasons. One is because I don’t come from a physically healthy background. I
was overweight for a long time, and training for road races helped me get into shape. I’ve lost around 90 pounds since I started running. The other reason I keep doing it is for the people I get to run with. Teri and I do it together every year, and this year my daughters will be running it with us as well. I’ve found that the more people I can get to do the Peachtree Road Race with me, the more I enjoy running it.
I VALUE NOT ONLY PUSHING MYSELF TO DO SOMETHING THAT SEEMS REALLY DIFFICULT IN MY HEAD, BUT ALSO IMPROVING UPON MY PREVIOUS RACES.
my previous races. I’ve even run longer races, like the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. Eventually, I hope to run the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon as well. Running may not be everyone’s first choice for fun on the Fourth of July, but participating in the Peachtree Road Race has become my tradition and a way to challenge myself and spend time with family and friends. So, however you spend your Fourth, we at Obiorah Fields hope you have a fun, safe holiday with those you care about!
Ultimately, I think what keeps me coming back is the personal challenge. When I run a race, I don’t really compete with other runners in the race. I compete against my former self. I value not only pushing myself to do something that seems really difficult in my head, but also improving upon
–Danielle Obiorah
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The Fourth of July is one of the most enjoyable holidays in the United States, and, perhaps not surprisingly, one of the most dangerous. Almost any Independence Day activity could come with a warning label, but this doesn’t mean you should refrain from partaking in the fun — just be careful. Here are some of the most common accidents that occur around the Fourth of July and how to avoid them. The roads are more dangerous on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year. In 2017, an average of 101 people died every day from auto accidents, but that number is over 25% higher on average on the Fourth of July mostly because of drinking and driving. So, if you’re out to see some fireworks or visit family, make sure you buckle up, take it slow, stay off your smartphone, and, of course, don’t drink and drive. This probably doesn’t surprise anyone. The dangers associated with lighting a tube filled with gunpowder on fire are easy to imagine. In 2017, eight people died and 12,900 people had to visit the emergency room because of fireworks-related injuries. To prevent these sorts of mishaps and tragedies, only buy fireworks from official stands, and read the instructions on use before lighting them off. Have a designated fireworks launch site at your party, and again, don’t drink too much before lighting them off. THE 3 MOST COMMON INJURIES AROUND JULY FOURTH AUTO ACCIDENTS FIREWORKS ACCIDENTS IT’S NOT JUST FIREWORKS
SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY 3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly
SWIMMING ACCIDENTS
Whether it’s at your neighborhood pool or down by the lake, the Fourth of July is a great occasion to combat the heat of summer with a cool swim. But just like the other two types of accidents, too much alcohol can put that enjoyable activity in jeopardy. Avoid drinking and swimming, make sure children are supervised, and put inexperienced swimmers in life jackets.
80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is
lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy by swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
These potential dangers shouldn’t keep you from having fun this Fourth of July, but knowing the risks and avoiding reckless behavior ensures nobody gets hurt, and the Fourth stays fun.
2 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
THE FIGHT AFTER THE WAR THE LONG BATTLE FOR VETERANS’ BENEFITS
It’s not always easy for veterans to get the compensation they deserve for their service to our country, especially if they’re wounded and filing a disability claim. Contention surrounding federally funded financial support for our veterans is as old as the United States itself. It took over 140 years for the Department of Veteran Affairs to be formed. Despite all the problems facing the V.A. today, there’s value in seeing how far America has come in supporting its troops. During the American Revolution, one way the Continental Congress tried to incentivize men to join the Continental Army was by promising bonuses and pensions for their service. Congress was short on funds following the Revolution, however, and failed to follow through on their promise. This caused bitterness among Revolutionary War veterans, and they clashed with civilians who viewed the pensions as government handouts. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that the United States would experience a new era of veteran care. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers returned from the war wounded with nowhere to go. Following the creation of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in 1865, facilities called Soldiers’ Homes popped
up around the country, but these were not federally funded. Soldiers’ homes couldn’t provide care for everyone, and the debate over federal support for veterans began anew.
Finally, after soldiers returned home from WWI, Americans were willing to support a federally funded health care system for veterans. Congress began investing in soldiers’ rehabilitation, and, in 1930 they established the Veteran’s Administration. Congress also promised bonuses to veterans of WWI that could be redeemed after 1945, but the Great Depression caused many veterans to try and cash in on their bonuses early, to no avail. As WWII began and the public became more aware of veterans’ challenges, President Franklin Roosevelt expanded veterans’ benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs is still trying to figure out how to best serve America’s veterans, but if history is any indicator, benefits will hopefully improve with time.
WORD SEARCH
IMPOSSIBLY SILKY MASHED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
• 4 Ibs. medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved • 6 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 1/2 cup heavy cream • Kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. In a stockpot or large saucepan, submerge potatoes in just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, add 2 tbsp of salt, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes and let cool for 3 minutes. 3. Using a ricer, grate potatoes into the original saucepan over medium heat. 4. With a wooden spoon, stir potatoes until they begin to stick to pan and steam, about 2 minutes. 5. Add butter in four equal batches, stirring constantly and adding each batch only once the last has been fully incorporated into the saucepan. 6. Stir in cream, season liberally with salt, and serve immediately.
BARBEQUE CAMPFIRE CAMPING FIREWORK
HOT INDEPENDENCE JULY
SUMMER SUN SWIMMING TANNING UFO
LEMONADE OUTDOORS SANDALS SKEWERS
FISHING FRIENDS HIKING
VOLLEYBALL WATERMELON
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Danielle’s Fourth of July Tradition
1 2
3 Things Everyone Needs to Know Before Swimming in Open Water
Common Fourth of July Injuries
The History of Veterans’ Benefits in America
3
Impossibly Silky Mashed Potatoes
A Tail of Bravery
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THE GUARDIAN WHO WOULD NOT LEAVE HIS WATCH ODIN LIVES UP TO HIS LEGENDARY NAME
Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through California in the fall of 2017, a few heroic tales rose up to give people hope. One such tale was of Odin, a loyal Great Pyrenees guard dog. Along with his sister, Tessa, and eight rescue goats, Odin is part of the Hendel family. It was mid-October when the Hendels were awoken by the smell of smoke, a fierce orange sky, and sounds of destruction — urgent warnings from Mother Nature. Gathering everyone as quickly as they could, the Hendels got their human family members and Tessa in the car, but Odin, seated proudly next to the eight goats, refused to get in. Try as they might, the Hendels could not get him to come with them, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for the eight goats. With the firestorm quickly approaching and the risk of losing even more family members increasing with each passing minute, the Hendels made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Odin and the goats behind. The family made it to safety with Tessa in tow, relieved to be together but heartbroken that Odin and the goats weren’t with them. After several agonizing days, it was finally safe enough for
them to return home and survey the destruction.
What did the Hendels find? Ashes, rubble, their barn and home burned to the ground — and Odin. There he was, still guarding his eight goats and some small deer that had sought shelter with
the brave canine. Weakened, burned, and limping, but nevertheless steadfast, Odin had never left his goats, even as the fire raged around them. Odin wagged his tail as he saw his family, happy to see they were also safe. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and the Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary provided temporary shelter for the goats and pups while the Hendels rebuilt their barn. Odin received all the care he needed, along with a lot of love and treats. Today, Odin and his goats are back with their family, rebuilding their lives after this devastating wildfire. But the Hendels, and anyone who’s heard the story, won’t soon forget the bravery of Odin, the amazing pup.
4 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
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