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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Frank Guerrettaz was born in a small town in Northern Illinois. He was the second youngest of five, with three older brothers and one younger sister. His father, a paratrooper in the Army during WWII, worked on oil rigs, and the family moved frequently as the rigs for the oil fields were pulled and relocated.…

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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~ Ronald Reagan The American Revolution, also known as the United States War of Independence or the American Revolutionary…

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Why Companies Should Care for Their Caregivers: A Call to Action By Lisa Rill, PhD DECK: “Leadership isn’t about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.”  – Simon Sinek  The ability to successfully integrate work, family commitments, and personal life is important for the well-being of all employees. The Organization…

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Wilburn “Bill” Williford was the oldest child among seven siblings. He was born in Whitten, Arkansas, in 1917, but his family later moved to the Bootheel of Missouri to search for better employment opportunities. His father worked various odd jobs to support the family, and when Williford was only 7 or 8 years old, he…

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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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Skin Cancer Awareness Month: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the US, with over 5 million cases annually. However, the good news is that skin cancer is also the most preventable form of cancer. Because skin cancer is visible, it can be detected…

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May is a special month as it marks Military Appreciation Month. This is a time for us to acknowledge and honor the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by our military members and their loved ones. Every day, families across the nation and the world hold their dear ones in their hearts and thoughts, feeling both…

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Samuel Jefferson Hughes, named after his grandfathers, was born in St. Louis in 1947. He is the oldest of two boys. His family never stayed in one place very long. Hughes laughed, saying, “We moved a lot; we were gypsies, I guess.” They always lived in the St. Louis area, but he estimates he moved…

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