Check out our November newsletter!
November 2024
CampbellWealth.com • (703) 535-5300 • 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314
THANKFUL FOR OUR VETERANS, FAMILIES, AND THE COUNTRY WE CALL HOME
November is a significant month for many reasons. Not only do we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, but we also honor our veterans on Veterans Day. Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people came together to share a harvest feast, kick- starting a tradition of gratitude that continues today. Veterans Day, on the other hand, is a time to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are federal holidays that remind me to take a moment and reflect on all that we have to be truly grateful for. It’s so easy to take our freedom for granted, along with the beauty that surrounds us — this incredible country, our families, and the many things we’re fortunate to enjoy. I’m reminded of an article I “Happy Thanksgiving and God bless this incredible United States of America!”
wrote a few years ago about Thanksgiving, which focused on the rising cost of a Thanksgiving meal over the past 20 years. While it was an interesting read, it completely missed the true meaning of the day — the importance of gratitude and reflection. We live in a great country and are blessed by those who made it possible and by those with whom we are still able to share it. I’m thankful that 34 years ago I opened the doors to Campbell Wealth Management, met so many incredible people, and helped them along the way. I’m also grateful that I have such a great family, from my mother and father-in-law to my grandkids. I’m also thankful for you, our incredible clients, for whom we work hard each day and who are also the reason behind Campbell Wealth Management. And finally, I’m thankful for our creator who made all of this possible. So, Happy Veterans Day. Thanks to all of our U.S. veterans for their sacrifice. Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless this incredible United States of America!
Kelly Campbell
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GOBBLE, GOBBLE The Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition
Part of what makes special occasions special is the foods they are synonymous with. We have cake on our birthdays, candy on Halloween, and turkey on Thanksgiving. How these culinary staples became linked with these holidays is rarely questioned because we all enjoy sweets, and blowing out candles is fun. But is that reason enough for them to be integral to our holidays? Why is Thanksgiving Day, the celebration of harvest and gratitude, synonymous with turkey dinner? The Original Menu Many in America believe we model our Thanksgiving cuisine after the menu of offerings available during the original feast. But in 1621, the Plymouth Pilgrims and Wampanoag did not eat like we do today. Moreover, they did not see their meal as a special occasion. Thanksgiving dinner has been used to celebrate the autumn harvest for hundreds of years and is a tradition that predates the colonies. The Wampanoag people brought venison to the party, and the Pilgrims supposedly brought wildfowl. While an estimated 10 million wild turkeys were prowling the Americas at the time, the Pilgrims more likely dined on duck and goose — which begs the question: If the Pilgrims didn’t eat turkey on the “original” Thanksgiving, why do we?
A Love/Hate Relationship Turkey became the staple of Thanksgiving dinner due to a few contributing factors. Unlike chickens and cows, which can provide eggs and milk, turkeys are only useful to farmers as a source of meat. As gruesome as it may sound, that fact also makes turkeys disposable. Additionally, one turkey can typically feed a whole family, so it became a popular source of protein in America. However, it may be cultural staples, like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and Sarah Hale’s novel “Northwood,” both portraying decadent turkey meals, that played a more significant part in its popularity on the holiday table. Hale was also a key campaigner for Thanksgiving to bring together families across America and repair a nation splintered by the Civil War. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln granted her wish and made Thanksgiving an official national holiday. She was likely the biggest factor in turning turkey into the star of Thanksgiving dinner and, as a result, is likely the nemesis of turkeys everywhere. In 2022, about 210 million turkeys were farmed across the country, and Americans consumed 46 million on Thanksgiving alone.
We had a great time on Friday, September 27th, seeing so many of our clients and guests at our 6th Annual Life Beyond Numbers Expo! Thank you to all our speakers and vendors who provided great information on cyber security, health and wellness, elder care, retirement living, and more. We look forward to seeing you next year! Thank You for Making the Life Beyond Numbers Expo a Success!
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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.
When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and 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.
How a Rescue Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life RIDING FOR A CAUSE Cloverleaf Polo Classic Raises Funds for Life-Changing Equine Therapy
The Cloverleaf Polo Classic is the signature community event and largest annual fundraiser in support of Cloverleaf Equine Center’s mission. Kim has been on the planning committee for the event for the last two years, and Kelly is involved in the organization’s investment committee. Guests enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon featuring world-class polo, lively live and silent auctions, music, gourmet dining, and refreshing drinks — all set against the stunning backdrop of Virginia’s scenic hunt and wine country. The event highlights Cloverleaf’s vital work in empowering children and adults with disabilities, underserved youth, marginalized communities, and military personnel in recovery, showcasing the impact the center has on these individuals’ lives.
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CampbellWealth.com | (703) 535-5300 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
INSIDE Honoring the Past and Celebrating Our Present Blessings How Turkey Became a Thanksgiving Staple Life Beyond Numbers Expo Was a Success! Paws of Hope Polo With a Purpose: The Cloverleaf Polo Classic A Big Wintertime Playground
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Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Campbell Wealth Management, LLC (CWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. MAS and CWM are not affiliated entities. Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation.
The Unique Allure of Big Bend National Park
Most national parks are full of visitors from spring through fall. Big Bend National Park turns that schedule upside down. The ideal time to visit this southwest Texas wonderland of wild river canyons and stunning mountain vistas is from October through May — the offseason for most national parks. But summertime temperatures in Big Bend soar to 105 degrees F or more, too hot for safe vacationing, while wintertime is mild and usually sunny. Many tourists and vacationers have recently discovered the park, driving visitation 16% higher since 2018 to more than 511,000 people annually. Big Bend offers a diversity of sights and terrain. Elevations soar from about 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande River to almost 8,000 feet in
the Chisos Mountains. Boating and rafting trips along the Rio Grande, which Congress designated as a free-flowing Wild & Scenic River, take visitors through the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon limestone cliffs. Options range from a leisurely float lasting less than a day to a seven-day wilderness adventure down the Lower Canyons. Big Bend is also a birder’s paradise, with 450 species sighted there on various occasions. The park also offers an abundance of family- friendly activities. A legal Port of Entry enables visitors who bring their passports to cross the Rio Grande River and visit the shops and restaurants of a rural Mexican village, Boquillas del Carmen. Families also enjoy stargazing at the Sotol Vista Overlook, scrambling over the boulders on the Upper Burro Mesa, and
trekking the Grapevine Hills trails to see Balanced Rock, a giant boulder seemingly teetering in midair between two smaller boulders. Kids can also see dinosaur remains at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or explore the ruins of a mercury-mining ghost town, Terlingua. Five visitor centers are usually open through the winter. Construction of a new visitor lodge and water system will begin in late 2024, likely causing some disruptions. However, Big Bend has four developed campgrounds and many backcountry camping opportunities. Most campsites are filled six months in advance, so reserve a spot early for your winter camping adventure.
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