Ronald H. Cox was born in January 1943 and raised in a middle-class family in the Saint Louis area. As the oldest of three children, Cox experienced a typical middle-class upbringing. He fondly recalls growing up with fun memories of boating, family vacations, and participating in activities typical of middle-class families. Due to his mother’s…

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National Grandparents Day is coming up next month on Sunday, September 8th, and this year’s theme is “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy.” It’s a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the love given by grandparents. When my dad became a grandpa, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and often quoted Bill Laurin, saying, “If I knew…

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James Robert Laizure was born on his family’s farm in Cherokee County, Kansas, in 1924. Laizure, who went by Bob his entire life, is the oldest of seven siblings, all born in their home. Laizure explained that whenever a new sibling was going to arrive, the children were sent to wait in the barn while…

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  Alicia Pederson has been a valuable member of Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) since March 2020. Despite joining during a challenging time with few people in the office, Alicia seamlessly and instantly connected with clients. Over her four years of service, Alicia has consistently embodied VCC’s core values of accountability, continuous improvement, and serving one…

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Over a decade ago, I founded Veterans Care Coordination to assist veterans and their families. Since then, I have remained committed to serving the community by establishing several organizations that support various philanthropic initiatives. As a sports enthusiast and a sponsored pickleball player, I decided to combine my passion for sports and philanthropy. That’s when…

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Dealing with the challenges of aging can be overwhelming for both the individual experiencing it and their loved ones. An aging Veteran may start to struggle with basic care or face physical challenges due to injury, age, or health. Often, it is not easy for aging Veterans to ask for help when it becomes difficult…

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  Vietnam War Veterans Day Have you ever heard someone say “Welcome Home” to a Vietnam Veteran, and if so, do you know why this is done? It is a small gesture of gratitude and recognition for their immense sacrifices for our country. These brave soldiers were not only fighting in a war zone, but…

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In November of last year, I had the opportunity to explore the charming Normandy area in France. To make the most out of my visit, we hired the services of a local tour company called Albion Voyages, located in Bayeux, France (https://www.albion-voyages.com/). Our itinerary included visits to Pointe Du Hoc, Omaha Beach, The Normandy American…

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Pickleball has taken the United States by storm in recent years, captivating players of all ages and skill levels. This engaging game combines the elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, creating a unique and exciting experience. In this article, we will delve into the remarkable growth of pickleball in the US and shed light…

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Robert Leon Schell was born in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1927. He preferred to go by Leon, as his mother never wanted him to be called Bobby. Schell had an older sister with whom he shared a very close bond. His father worked at a woodworking plant that, at one point, produced wooden…

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