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NOVEMBER 2024
BE SMART, GET RINEHARDT Rinehardt Law | RinehardtLawFirm.com | 419-LAW-2020
VETERANS DAY REMEMBRANCE Memories of My Dad and His Distinguished Service
Every year in early November, we recognize and honor our nation’s veterans. While all veterans deserve recognition, my thoughts on Veterans Day always turn to my father and the years he spent in service to our country. My dad was an Air Force pilot, and I was born shortly after his return from Vietnam. While he rarely mentioned his service in Vietnam, he would sometimes briefly explain artifacts in his den that caught my attention, like the bullet he’d dug out of his plane’s seat after a near miss in combat, or the pocket-size Bible that he’d kept wrapped in plain brown paper
and tucked inside his uniform in case he was ever captured. I never even knew until after his death that my dad had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism during flight under heavy enemy fire. But he didn’t hesitate to share his joy when our involvement in Vietnam ended, and I remember everyone in the neighborhood shooting bullets toward the sky in celebration. My father was gone quite a bit when I was growing up. Most of his departures were in the wee hours of the morning, and my mom always woke us up to see him off, because “you never know what can happen” — a mindset likely born of being a military wife during wartime. But we didn’t mind getting up early. I think we knew he was doing something important, and in some small way, maybe we were, too. When Dad was home, I came to know him as someone who could do anything and everything. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and nothing he didn’t know. He had a calm, commanding presence, yet his sense of humor was unmatched. He never got flustered, and he worked through every problem methodically, one step at a time. I imagine those traits made him a very good officer and an exceptional pilot.
Reporters covered my dad’s departure for flight training in July 1960.
Many of my best memories of my father are closely tied to his service. Every summer, we packed up a cooler and headed to the Dayton Air Show, where he happily described every plane we saw. He would do the same on warm summer days when we sat on lawn chairs together in the back yard and looked up at the sky. My favorite outings with my dad were going on base to have lunch at the flight line’s snack bar, where I’d watch all the pilots in their flight suits having a meal right by the runway.
With my dad at my high school graduation in 1986
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HONORING OUR 4-LEGGED VETERANS
Coming Home: A New Mission The bond between handler and dog often extends beyond their service years. Since 2000, when President Clinton signed “Robby’s Law,” military dogs became eligible for adoption, usually by their former handlers, rather than being euthanized after their service. This change recognized these four-legged veterans’ right to a peaceful retirement after years of service. But military dogs aren’t the only canine heroes supporting our veterans. Service dogs now play a crucial role in helping veterans adjust to civilian life, especially those dealing with PTSD or physical disabilities. Organizations like K9s for Warriors and Pets for Vets match trained service dogs with veterans, creating partnerships that transform lives. The Next Generation The tradition of military working dogs continues today. At Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the Military Working Dog Program trains both dogs and handlers for all branches of the U.S. military. These dogs master skills ranging from patrol duties to explosive detection, carrying forward a legacy that stretches back to World War I. Whether serving in combat zones or helping veterans heal at home, these four-legged heroes embody the same values of loyalty, courage, and dedication we honor in all our veterans. As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s remember that some of our bravest service members work for treats and belly rubs — and wouldn’t have it any other way. DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. military currently has about 2,500 active-duty working dogs. A military working dog’s training is valued at around $150,000. The most common breeds used are German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador retrievers. During the Vietnam War, military dogs saved an estimated 10,000 American lives.
When we think of military veterans, we often picture brave men and women in uniform. But some of America’s most dedicated service members have four legs and a tail. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, military working dogs have served alongside our troops, saving countless lives with their keen senses and unwavering loyalty.
Guardians in Combat During World War II, a German shepherd named Chips became one of the most decorated war dogs in history. On one mission in Sicily, Chips broke away from his handler, charged into an enemy pillbox, and forced four Italian soldiers to surrender. Though military dogs couldn’t officially receive combat medals at the time, Chips’ actions earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. Today’s military working dogs carry on this proud tradition. These highly trained canines specialize in detecting explosives, finding dangerous materials, and protecting their handlers. A military working dog’s sense of smell is so precise that it can detect explosives or weapons even when they’re deeply hidden or carefully masked. U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Sgt. Angel Trejo and his K-9 partner, Feri, pose for a portrait after their training to detect explosive devices at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah Goldblum)
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At the start of my fifth grade year, my dad left for a three-year tour of duty in Seoul, Korea. As I said goodbye to him before school that morning, I steeled myself as I hugged him, and I was determined not to cry. Leaving us had to be very difficult for him, and I didn’t want to make it any harder.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
Sharing a special day with my dad in June 1991
Looking for crispy, golden-brown chicken cutlets without the mess of traditional breading? This baked version of the Rinehardts’ family favorite delivers all the crunch with none of the fuss. Instead of the typical three-part dredging process, we use a simple trick: mayonnaise! Not only does it help the seasoned panko-Parmesan coating stick perfectly, but it also keeps the chicken moist and adds a subtle flavor. By tossing the breadcrumb mixture with olive oil before coating, you can achieve the coveted fried-chicken texture in the oven — no stovetop spattering required. These crowd-pleasing cutlets are essentially grown- up chicken tenders, perfectly paired with a crisp green salad or your favorite dipping sauce. Want a vegetarian version? The same technique works beautifully with eggplant!
While he was gone, I eagerly awaited his audio messages on cassette tapes, which would arrive in the mail in padded envelopes. Sometimes, to my great disappointment, the international trip took its toll on the package, and the cassette would arrive too damaged to play. Occasionally, presents arrived, too, like the glass case that enclosed a lovely set of dolls in Korean dancing costumes. How that glass survived the trip always baffled me, but I was thrilled to have it and kept it next to my bed for years. Not long after my dad’s return from Korea, he retired from the Air Force. He embarked on new endeavors as a civilian, but I don’t think he ever felt at home anywhere other than the cockpit of an airplane. Even today, every time I hear the hum of an aircraft overhead, I look up and think of Dad doing what he loved best. As I pause to reflect on my dad this Veterans Day, I also send my gratitude and admiration to all of the service members in our community. Thank you for your service and for your sacrifices.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each) • Kosher salt and black pepper • 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnishing • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Melanie Fahey
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel, then carefully slice each breast in half horizontally, forming 2 thin cutlets. (You’ll have 4 total pieces.) Alternatively, cut the chicken into tender-size pieces. 3. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. 4. In a large, shallow bowl or rimmed plate, combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, and parsley with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Add oil and toss until the bread crumbs are evenly coated. 5. In another shallow bowl, toss the chicken with mayo, coating the chicken completely. Dip each piece of chicken into the panko mixture, turning and pressing gently until fully coated. Place the breaded chicken on the prepared pan and bake 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through. 6. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot or warm.
The local paper covered my dad’s medal ceremony in April 1966.
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INSIDE THIS EDITION
1 Reflecting on My Dad This Veterans Day
2 Heroes With 4 Paws 3 Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
4 8th Annual Thanks-GIVE-Away
8th Annual Thanks-GIVE-Away We are looking forward to putting turkeys (and pies) on tables again this year for those families in our community who are facing adversity or hardship and need a helping hand.
We will be giving away turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday afternoon, Nov. 22 from 3–5 p.m.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table, share a special meal, and give thanks. Rinehardt Injury Attorneys want every family in our community to have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday without financial stress.
If you or someone you know needs a helping hand, come and see us on Nov. 22.
Follow us on Facebook for details!
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