CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY The Feline-Flying Military Tactic That Never Took Off
Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of (literally) explosive innovations in warfare. Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a
sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords. Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound with special needs are involved. Thankfully, a unique estate planning element called a special needs trust can help disabled individuals. Since the International Day of Persons with Disabilities occurs at the beginning of December, there’s no better time to talk about special needs trusts. Trusts are legal documents that provide rules and directions for assets held on behalf of a beneficiary. A properly drafted and funded special needs trust means that the assets contained in it do not adversely affect public benefits eligibility. There are a few different types of special needs trusts, but the one most commonly utilized by parents planning ahead is the third-party
misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas.
The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper. Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades. So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire. special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust. After a parent, grandparent, or other loved one establishes and funds the trust, it can help supplement government benefits and cover costs associated with non-covered medical expenses, therapies, entertainment, and other ways to enhance the children’s lives. You’ll need to name a trustworthy trustee because they’ll be responsible for paying for items and services for the beneficiary since the beneficiary cannot pay directly to a vendor or provider of services without risking specific government benefits. If you have any questions about special needs trusts or need to make any other updates to your estate plan, please call us today!
Empowerment Through Planning UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS
One of the primary goals of many parents’ estate planning efforts is to ensure their children are taken care of and supported after they pass away or become incapacitated. This becomes even more critical when minor children or children
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