Check out our November/December newsletter!
Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
A Personal Journey Through My Family’s Military History The True Cost of Freedom
Sometimes, we need to remember that freedom isn’t free. Before we get caught up in the holiday whirlwind, I want to slow down and appreciate Veterans Day on Nov. 11. I want to remember the deep significance of this day and the incredible sacrifices men and women who have served our country have made. While I haven’t served in the military myself, my family has a long and proud history of military service, which has certainly shaped my appreciation for the freedoms we often take for granted. My father, uncle, grandfather, and great-uncle were all veterans, each serving in different units and conflicts. Their stories, filled with both pride and humility, have always reminded me of the enormous sacrifices that come with wearing the uniform. My uncle, Frank Jordan, was a career Navy man, reaching the prestigious rank of commander of the Fourth Atlantic Fleet. As a submarine captain, he was responsible for eight submarines — a monumental responsibility that required skill and courage.
required him to go out with the infantry and call in artillery strikes. Fortunately, the time never came, and he never had to go to Vietnam. He spent his service at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he contemplated volunteering for a tour in Vietnam out of sheer boredom. A wise colonel stopped him,
hung up the phone my father was holding, and likely saved his life.
My grandfather served in World War II as a pilot in North Africa. He was already 40 years old when he volunteered, like so many others of his generation. He flew transport planes, carrying supplies and personnel — far from the front lines, but still a vital role in the war effort. His brother, Tom Underwood, wasn’t as fortunate. Serving in World
War I, Uncle Tom was wounded in combat and awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Funny enough, when Uncle Tom also served in WWII, his bunkmate in
My father’s story is equally compelling, though most definitely marked by a bit of luck. After flunking out of the University of Georgia, he found himself drafted in 1967, right in the middle of the Vietnam
the Navy was none other than John F. Kennedy.
Growing up with these stories has given me a deep respect for veterans. They remind me that freedom isn’t free — it comes at a high price, often paid by those who serve and their families. My father once had the difficult job of accompanying caskets of soldiers back home from Vietnam, a sobering reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that some make for our country. As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s recognize and actively appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made. They’ve given so much, and it’s our duty to honor their service and remember the price of our freedoms. Whether through community events, a simple thank you, or just taking a moment to reflect on what they’ve done for us, let’s make sure we never forget the sacrifices of our veterans.
War. Initially, he wasn’t too excited about the prospect, but having attended military school for several years,
he was familiar with the military way of life. He managed to work out a deal to enroll in ROTC and go back to school, hoping the war would be over by the time he graduated. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and he had to enlist. He ended up in the artillery, thinking he’d be safe behind the cannons, away from the front lines. However, fate had other plans, and he was assigned as a forward observer — a role that
—William F. “Trey” Underwood III
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
www.puttingpeoplefirst.law | 1
Elevate Your End-of-Year Holidays
Go Hunting Outdoors Work off that Thanksgiving meal by visiting a nearby park or trail for a hike and scavenger hunt. Give each family member a list of items to find. Small children might look for a pinecone or sparkly rock, while teens could hunt for a bird’s nest or a particular tree species. Your kids will learn about nature while enjoying some adventurous competition. Friendsgiving If you aren’t overwhelmed by relatives during Thanksgiving, consider letting your children plan their own Friendsgiving celebration. This relatively new holiday has become a popular way to relax with your besties, and hosting a kids’ version can help children strengthen social ties. Serve Thanksgiving leftovers or let the kids plan the menu. Year-End Gift Fest Three gift-giving holidays — Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa — all fall near the
end of December this year. Consider making gifts rather than buying them. Purchase supplies for a crafting or baking session and encourage your kids to create keepsakes or treats for loved ones, such as beaded jewelry, photo albums, trinket trays, original storybooks, artwork, cookies, or candy. Your kids will see that many recipients value their effort in making gifts more than the money spent on purchased ones. A Year of Memories The year’s end is a time to remember special people and events. Decorate a glass Memory Jar and ask each family member to recall a few favorite happenings or activities from the past year. Record each one on a slip of paper, drop them into the Memory Jar, make it the centerpiece for a family meal, and take turns pulling out and reading each other’s memories. This simple ritual can spark plenty of fun, plus warm conversations about the abundance that families share.
The end-of-year holidays are festive but famously stressful, with fighting crowds and busting budgets. Here are five ideas to elevate your holidays by embracing new, simple family traditions. Shop-Local Friday Avoid door-busting Black Friday crowds by shopping locally. Visit nearby shops as a family and try out their offerings. Or stay even closer to home by gamifying Black Friday into an online scavenger hunt. Make a shopping list and see who can find the best deals on each item.
Safeguard Your Military Benefits Veterans’ Guide to Personal Injury Claims
assignments, directly impacting their future earning potential.
Veterans Day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our military personnel. It’s also an opportunity to discuss an often-overlooked topic: the unique challenges veterans face when pursuing personal injury claims. After working with numerous veterans, our team understands the complexities involved in these claims and is here to help.
The Impact of Military Benefits A critical part of a veteran’s personal
injury claim is the potential loss of military benefits. These benefits are often substantial and include basic allowances for housing (BAH), subsistence (BAS), health care benefits, education benefits under the GI Bill, and retirement pay. An injury that disrupts a veteran’s ability to serve could lead to the loss of these essential benefits, making it vital to factor them into the personal injury claim. Navigate Tricare and VA Settlements Veterans seeking compensation for personal injuries may also need to navigate Tricare, the military’s health care program. While Tricare provides excellent medical care, veterans might face challenges ensuring any settlement they receive adequately covers their needs. In some cases, veterans may need to repay the VA for the care
they received through settlement funds. Understanding these nuances is crucial to securing fair compensation.
Understand Veterans’ Legal Challenges
Experience Matters Handling personal injury claims for
When military personnel are injured due to someone else’s negligence, they face a distinct set of challenges that civilians often don’t encounter. For veterans, personal injury claims involve more than just medical expenses and lost wages. Veterans may suffer losses in several areas that require careful consideration, such as lost retirement pay, benefits, and the ability to continue their service. For instance, if an injury affects a service member’s ability to fulfill specific duties, it could prevent them from being eligible for promotions or special
veterans requires a deep understanding of military life and the specific financial and legal considerations involved. Our law firm has represented service members from the nearby Marine base and others in the area, giving us valuable experience managing these cases. If you’re a veteran dealing with a personal injury, know we’re here to guide you through the legal maze. Reach out to our team today for dedicated support in your personal injury claim.
2 | 229-888-0888
Run, Celebrate, and Give Thanks Where Community and Celebration Meet
Albany is a city that thrives on community, and this November, the opportunities to celebrate with one another are endless. Picture yourself strolling through a festival alive with creativity, running for a cause supporting our veterans and canine friends, or dashing through the streets with loved ones before indulging in a Thanksgiving feast. These events aren’t just about fun but also about coming together, supporting one another, and making our community stronger. Let’s embrace the season with gratitude, joy, and a shared spirit of giving. The Heart of Albany Festival 2024 Saturday, Nov. 16 AlbanyMuseum.com/events/heartfest Experience a vibrant celebration of art, music, and community at the 7th annual Heart of Albany Festival, hosted by the Albany Museum of Art on Saturday, Nov. 16. This free event invites you to encounter art in a whole new way, featuring professional chalk artists
creating stunning large-scale works on the pavement, live music, art demonstrations, and delicious offerings from food trucks and vendors. As the museum marks its 60th anniversary, come enjoy a crisp fall day filled with creativity and culture. 11th Annual Barney’s Run for Warriors Saturday, Nov. 16 RunSignUp.com/race/ga/albany/ BarneysRunForWarriors2023 Join the 11th Annual Barney’s Run for Warriors, a meaningful race supporting K-9s for Warriors. On race day, choose between a 13.1-mile, 10K, or 5K race, with cash prizes for the top finishers. Your participation helps rescue shelter dogs and provides a local veteran with a highly trained service dog, giving both a new lease on life. Bring your dog along and enjoy a flat, well-marked course through Albany neighborhoods. Register by Nov. 5 to receive a race T-shirt and swag bag!
Flint River Entertainment Complex’s Turkey Trot Saturday, Nov. 23 FlintRiverEntertainmentComplex.com/event/ turkey-trot-presented-by-smile-doctors/ Before you chow down on a Thanksgiving feast, how about joining the FREC 5K Race Series Turkey Trot? It’s presented by Smile Doctors. The race kicks off at the Veterans Park Amphitheatre, leading you through Albany’s scenic Riverwalk, past the Thronanteeksa Heritage Center, downtown streets, and the Albany Municipal Auditorium, before returning to the Flint Riverquarium and Veterans Park. Grand Prizes will be awarded at the final 5K event for the top three overall best times across all three races!
Everything-Seasoned Dinner Rolls Inspired by RealSimple.com
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our September newsletter:
Heather Scarbary Charlie Barrett Tamonda Givens
No need to make rolls from scratch this season. Instead, dress up store-bought rolls with delicious everything bagel seasoning!
Ingredients • Cooking spray
Your recommendations are treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations so they can find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
• 1 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
• 20 frozen dinner rolls • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Directions 1. Coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and arrange frozen rolls in the pan to thaw according to package instructions. 2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Then, melt butter and honey together in the microwave or on the stove. Once the rolls thaw, brush butter mixture over the rolls and sprinkle seasoning on top. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden, and serve these tasty rolls straight out of the oven!
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
www.puttingpeoplefirst.law | 3
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
The Underwood Family Legacy to Serve Our Country PAGE 1 De-Stress the Holidays With These Simpler Traditions Protect Your Military Benefits After a Personal Injury PAGE 2 Join the Fun and Make a Difference This November Everything-Seasoned Dinner Rolls PAGE 3 Paws of Hope PAGE 4
A Warrior’s Best Friend How a Rescue Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life
When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link. K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day.
realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches. “Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.”
Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session. Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
4 | 229-888-0888
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator