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ILLETTE
GAZETTE
NOVEMBER 2018
‘A FIGHT THROUGH DARKNESS’ AND OTHER AUDIO RECOMMENDATIONS
Each holiday season, millions of Americans hit the road to visit family and friends. I relish the opportunity for a long drive even in the holiday traffic, as it gives me time to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. So much of being a lawyer involves reading, but with four active kids, I rarely have time to sit down with a good book these days. Listening to an audiobook or a compelling podcast is a great substitute and makes my time in the car something I actually look forward to. I particularly like audiobooks on business leadership. Several books I have enjoyed include: “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by SimonSinek, “The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea” by Bob Burg, “The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary” by Mark Sanborn, and “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin are both former Navy SEAL officers from the most decorated unit in the Iraq War. Together, they wrote a book on leadership, applying the rigorous sense of personal responsibility they used in combat operations to the world of business. Naturally, I was hooked, and when I reached the end of “Extreme Ownership,” I began listening to Jocko’s podcast. In the aptly titled “Jocko Podcast” (JockoPodcast.com), the former SEAL delves into stories of service and sacrifice from military history. Sometimes the stories link back to leadership practices, much like in his book. But more often, the explorations of past battles and acts of heroism pave the way to deeply important discussions on self-care and personal improvement.
and later in Korea. Listening to these acts of heroism by a brave Virginian while I drove through the town where he was born, up the highway that bears his name, and past the churchyard where he is buried was certainly a powerful experience.
In the second episode in the series, Jocko talks about Puller’s son, Lieutenant Lewis Puller Jr. (commonly referred to as Lewis Puller). Lieutenant Puller Junior’s story is far more tragic than his father’s. Following his dad’s example, he joined the Marines and shipped off to Vietnam. While engaging the North Vietnamese army, Puller lost both legs and the fingers of his right hand to a land mine. While he eventually became a lawyer — he also attended William & Mary Law School and was my graduation speaker in 1992 — and wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography entitled “Fortunate Son,” some wounds are just too difficult to overcome. Puller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1994. Thus, the third and final installment in the Puller series centers on a serious discussion about dealing with wounds and PTSD after coming home. Episode 123 of “Jocko Podcast,” fittingly titled “A Fight Through Darkness,” features an interview with Marine Corporeal Jake Schick, who is also a wounded veteran. If you or a loved one struggle with war wounds or PTSD, I strongly recommend giving this episode a listen. In fact, this month, we’re giving away an Echo Dot to one lucky reader. These little smart speakers are great for listening to podcasts, audiobooks, music, and so much more. Personally, I recommend “Jocko Podcast”; it offers great lessons in perseverance for civilians and veterans alike. For more details on how to win the Dot, check inside!
“Listening to these acts of heroism by a brave Virginian while I drove through the town where he was born, up the highway that bears his name, and past the churchyard where he is buried was certainly a powerful experience.”
N e x t D o o r Bu
This past Memorial Day weekend, as I drove along General Puller Highway to my parents’ cottage in Lancaster County, I gained a greater appreciation for the Puller Highway’s namesake from a particularly powerful three-episode run (episodes 121–123) of Jocko’s podcasts. These three episodes explore the story of the Puller family. Lieutenant General Lewis “Chesty” Puller became the most decorated Marine in U.S. military history thanks to his quick, decisive actions in the Pacific theater of WWII
–Brian Gillette
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AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE SHOULD LAST BEYOND THANKSGIVING
How to Practice Gratitude In the above quotation from Dr. Emmons, he mentions the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. This activity is a great way to start seeing the world with a more positive, appreciative eye. As often as you can, take a few minutes to write down the acts, people, and moments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small — but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of good memories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say “Thanks” whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful. We all have moments when we want to curse the world, especially as we get older, and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?
Taking the time to acknowledge who and what you’re grateful for is a Thanksgiving tradition far more important than turkey or football. It’s the cornerstone of the holiday and the reason we feast together in the first place. But when you really think about it, should expressing our gratitude and appreciation for others be limited to one day every year? Of course not! Why Gratitude Matters As we get older, it’s easy to succumb to negativity and pessimism — “Kids these days,” “The world isn’t what it used to be,” etc. The crabby grandparent and angry old neighbor are archetypal depictions of later life. But these fictions don’t have to be your reality. Recognizing and acknowledging gratitude will help you take stock of the positive aspects of your life and dwell less on unhappy thoughts. Being grateful has also been linked to significant health benefits. According to gratitude expert and author Dr. Robert A. Emmons, “Preliminary findings suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. Adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly, report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future.”
WE’RE GIVING AWAY AN ECHO DOT! Here’s How You Can Win
As Brian mentions on the cover, we are giving away an Echo Dot this month to one lucky reader!
We appreciate our readers and are always striving to provide you with free, relatable, and quality information. That’s why we’d love you to take a brief survey to let us know how we can keep this publication focused on you, our readers! If you want to be entered for a chance to win a brand-new smart speaker, all you have to do is complete our survey. It’s only six questions long. Visit Gillette-gazette.com and let us know how we’re doing. You are limited to one entry per household, and we will only accept the first 100 entries. So be sure to complete our survey before it’s too late! All entries must be in by Jan. 20, 2019. On Tuesday, Jan. 22, we’ll do a random drawing among those who got their submissions in on time. The winner will be sent their new Echo Dot — on us! Don’t miss out on your chance to win by completing our survey today!
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HELP FOR VETERANS
As we honor our nation’s veterans this month, our firm would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Our country owes you an incredible debt of gratitude. Thank you for your service. As a law office that frequently assists disabled veterans in navigating the SSD and SSDI systems, we know how difficult service injuries can make civilian life. That’s why we want to draw your attention today to a benefits program run through the VA that can provide much- needed relief when your service disabilities make gainful employment impossible: Individual Unemployability benefits. What Are IU Benefits? Individual Unemployability (IU) is a portion of the VA’s disability compensation program that acknowledges some wounds are more than the sum of their parts. Under this program, you can qualify for full benefits even if the VA has not rated you 100 percent disabled. IU is not a handout; it’s fair compensation for the mental and physical impairments you received while protecting your country.
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You must be a veteran
• You must have at least one service-connected disability rated at least 60 percent, or two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more for a combined rating of 70 percent or more. • You must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities (marginal employment, such as odd jobs, is not considered substantial gainful employment for VA purposes). You will also be required to provide evidence of the service-connected disabilities you are claiming and show that they are sufficient to keep you from working “without regard to other factors.” How do I Apply? If you feel you meet the requirements for IU benefits, there are multiple avenues to apply. You can visit www. ebenefits.va.gov and submit a request for disability compensation. You can also work with an accredited VA representative or agent (a database of these qualified representatives can be found at va.gov/ ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp) . Finally, you can simply visit your VA regional office and ask an employee for assistance. If your application for Individual Unemployability is denied, we would be happy to talk with you about how we may be able to help!
Do I Qualify? In order to receive IU benefits, the VA requires you meet the following criteria:
DAD
JOKE
OLD BAY® HOT CRAB DIP
Q: What sound does a turkey’s phone make? A: Wing! Wing!
Ingredients
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened • 1 cup mayonnaise • 2 teaspoons OLD BAY® Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Mustard, ground • 1 pound lump crab meat • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, and ground mustard in a medium bowl until well blended. Add crab meat and toss gently. 2. Spread in shallow 1.5-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and additional Old Bay Seasoning if desired. 3. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with assorted crackers or sliced French bread.
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INSIDE This Issue
Podcasts and Audiobooks to Inspire page 1 How to Give Thanks Year-Round page 2
Do You Qualify for Individual Unemployability? page 3
Old Bay ® Hot Crab Dip page 3 A Historic Veterans Day page 4
An Echo Dot for a Lucky Reader! page 2
A HISTORIC VETERANS DAY
COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR I
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. The Great War By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I.
The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. The Restoration of Peace In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. Veterans Day Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
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