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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404-994-6218 | SEPTEMBER 2019
THE SAINTS VS. THE FALCONS
A LAW FIRM DIVIDED
A few months into working with Danielle, I found out something shocking — I had unknowingly started a law firm with a New Orleans Saints fan! I was born and raised in Atlanta, which means my team is, by default, the Atlanta Falcons. To make things more interesting around the office, our two legal assistants, Jordan and Deidre, are a Saints fan and a Falcons fan respectively. We have inadvertently become a law firm divided between the Falcons and the ‘Aints. Don’t worry though — the rivalry is all in good fun. If anything, it makes for some good-natured teasing every now and again. When it comes to NFL fandoms, it seems like Atlanta is a melting pot. A lot of people who live here come from other cities around the country, and they bring their favorite teams with them. I’m by no means a die-hard Falcons fan, but I root for them when they’re on. I don’t know how serious of a Saints fan Danielle is, but I imagine she’s probably in the same boat. Most days, after a big game between the Saints and the Falcons, a few comments will be thrown around the office depending on whose team won. If the Saints win, I know to expect at least a knowing smirk or an “innocent” question about the game. It might not be much of a reaction, but it’s enough to know the good-natured rivalry is still there. Luckily though, we know how to be merciful to one another through truly devastating losses. During the 2017 Super Bowl between the Falcons and the Patriots, I was more into the game than usual. I was sick as a dog that day, which meant I couldn’t do much else besides watch the chaos unfold, and the Falcons had never won a Super Bowl before. The Falcons were leading the game until the third quarter, and I thought they had the win in the bag! I was sure I was going to be one of millions of Atlantans to witness history.
But, alas, it was all downhill from there. The Patriots clawed their way back to tie with the Falcons 28-28 in the second half, and with a toss of a coin at overtime, the fate of the 2017 Super Bowl was decided. The Patriots won 34-28. I was devastated. The next day, instead of exploiting our rivalry to gloat over the Falcons’ loss, Danielle expressed sympathy for their loss. She understood how big a blow it was for Atlanta to come so close to victory only to have it taken away by a team that wins every year. And, while I can’t say for certain, I think she may have been silently rooting for the Falcons along with me. At the time of this article, both the Falcons and the Saints are looking like they have a good season ahead of them. A couple of sports writers have pegged the Falcons as a team that could go all the way. And, while Drew Brees might be approaching retirement, the Saints always bring their A-game on the field. In any case, I’m looking forward to reinvigorating our “rivalry” this upcoming football season.
–Teri Fields
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This month on Patriot Day, we remember those who sacrificed their lives in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, whether they were firefighters, police officers, or regular citizens, and chose courage over fear. Among those heroic tales are the stories of a few veterans who, armed with little more than their military training and good will, stood tall in the face of chaos and collectively saved thousands of lives. These are their stories. These two former U.S. Marines met each other in their old uniforms, having had the same idea to help search for survivors. Thomas drove from Long Island after dropping his daughter off at school, and Karnes came from his office in Connecticut. While searching together, they found and helped save two survivors buried 20 feet underground. Both men assisted rescuers for multiple days after that, and Karnes ended up reenlisting and serving two tours in Iraq. VETERAN HEROES OF 9/11 JASON THOMAS AND DAVID KARNES STANDING IN THE FACE OF CHAOS
STAY TONED BY LIFTING WEIGHTS AT HOME THE ANTI-AGING BENEFITS OF FREE WEIGHTS In her best-selling lifestyle guide “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” Mireille Guiliano advises women in their 50s to invest in a set of free weights — nothing too heavy, perhaps 3–5 pounds — in order to maintain their toned, youthful appearance and range of motion. She notes that lifting weights isn’t entirely necessary during your 20s and 30s, but it’s essential to maintain muscle tone and bone density in your later years. Though Guiliano’s evidence is anecdotal, the science confirms that lifting weights can be an indispensable aid to healthy aging for both men and women. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information recommends strength training 2–3 times per week to lower your risk of health problems and preserve bone density, independence, and vitality. According to WebMD, “Muscle loss is one of the main reasons people feel less energetic as they get older. When you lift weights, work out on machines, use resistance bands, or do exercises with your own body weight (like pushups and situps), you build strength, muscle mass, and flexibility.” You don’t have to join a gym to reap the benefits though; just pick up a set of free weights and a resistance band and research how to safely use them in your own home. Bodybuilding.com recommends designing a workout routine that includes one or two exercises for each of the major muscle groups: legs, back, shoulders, arms, chest, and abs. Try 8–10 repetitions per set, but don’t push yourself to use heavy weights. Even options that are 10 pounds or less should be enough to keep you chasing after your grandchildren for years to come. One public figure who has taken the weightlifting creed to heart is Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The documentary “RBG” shows the 86-year-old judge at the
BENJAMIN KEEFE CLARK
Clark was a chef on the 96th floor of the south tower, and, when the plane struck the building, he made sure everyone in the offices on his floor got to safety. His mother attributed his courage to his eight years as a Marine, and one company official later said that his courage saved hundreds of lives. Clark gave his life that day, and many of those he saved were among the 1,200 in attendance at his memorial service.
RICK RESCORLA
The 2,700 workers at Morgan Stanley in the World Trade Center owed their lives to the company’s head of corporate security, Rick Rescorla, a decorated former Army officer of the Vietnam War. After the first plane struck the north tower, Rescorla ignored intercom warnings for workers to remain seated in the south tower and ordered Morgan Stanley employees to evacuate the building. While they evacuated, he sang songs over a bullhorn to keep them calm. He was last seen looking for stragglers on the 10th floor of the building before it collapsed. His body was never found. The acts of these men foreshadowed the heroism of the brave military men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next several years. This month, we remember not only the tragedy of what occurred that day but also the bravery of those who faced it.
gym, pumping lightweight iron with her personal trainer, and she even walked spring chicken Stephen Colbert through her routine on “The Late Show.” Ginsburg has called her trainer “the most important person” in her life apart from her family, which is a ringing endorsement for lifting weights if ever there was one.
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THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR A HISTORY OF LABOR DAY
What do you picture when you think of Labor Day? The last long weekend of summer? The start of the school year? Maybe you and your family have a cookout, eating barbecue and corn on the cob into the dim hours of the evening. It’s as well you should! If you’re an American worker, Labor Day is a time to celebrate your achievements and contributions. While the holiday’s name makes its significance intuitive, you might not know the history behind the day and the sacrifice of American workers to make it a reality. The height of the Industrial Revolution was, in many ways, the utter depths for the average American worker. Workdays lasting 12 hours and seven-day workweeks were the norm, and in many states, children as young as 5 or 6 worked in mills, factories, and mines. Working conditions were often unsafe, unsanitary, and inhumane by today’s standards. And the reason we have those standards today, as well as the Labor Day holiday, is thanks in large part to labor unions and their collaboration against these egregious injustices. As labor unions grew in popularity, so did the idea of having a day to recognize the achievements of the American worker — albeit sluggishly. Even though the first Labor Day was celebrated
in 1882, states didn’t begin recognizing the holiday until 1887, and it wasn’t federally recognized until 1894. The 12 years in between were filled to the brim with
strikes, riots, and violence, all culminating in a strike of workers at the Pullman Palace Car
Company in Chicago in May of 1894. The federal government dispatched soldiers to quell the strike, which resulted in the deaths of 30 workers. In order to appease the outrage that followed, the government finally made Labor Day a legal holiday. While the holiday’s dour origin may contrast with the lighthearted nature of Labor Day celebrations today, the progress for workers’ rights that it represents is worth celebrating. So fire up that grill, eat a burger, and play some lawn games. You’ve worked hard this year, and you earned a day off. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
NEED A SPEAKER? If you are interested in having Teri Fields speak to your organization about estate planning, please contact us at 404-994-6218.
CACIO E PEPE
INGREDIENTS
• 6 oz. pasta, ideally spaghetti or bucatini • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed and divided • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano • 1/3 cup finely grated pecorino • Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste 1. In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stopping 2 minutes short of desired doneness. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. 2. In a large pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add pepper and cook until toasted and aromatic, about 1 minute. Add reserved pasta water and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer pasta and remaining butter to pan and reduce heat to low. Add Parmesan cheese and cook until melted, tossing pasta throughout. Remove pan from heat and add pecorino, continuing to toss until cheese is melted and sauce coats pasta. 4. Transfer to bowls and serve. DIRECTIONS
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Law Firm Divided
1 2
Stay Toned by Lifting Weights at Home
Veteran Heroes of 9/11
A History of Labor Day
3
Cacio e Pepe
Honoring the Canines of 9/11
4
THE 4-LEGGED HEROES OF GROUND ZERO HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue
dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up.
Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org.
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