Even in a small town, there’s no shortage of interesting news articles, but sometimes…we need a news item in a pinch.  I’d like to take a second to say that the following story was written-up in style and so quickly that it’d make your head spin.  Who wrote it?                                                                                                                                     No…it wasn’t some fresh-faced kid who needed a byline: we turned to the most trusted, seasoned voice we are honored to have on our newspaper: Rusty Strait came through as he has all his life.                                                                                                       Enjoy this wonderful piece written on the fly and from the heart, by our own inimitable, Ray “Rusty” Strait.    

A MORTUARY DOES MORE THAN BURY PEOPLE
Nick and Charlotte Jones, owners of Miller-Jones Funeral Home are hosting an Ice Cream Social for the benefit of Veterans and their families at American Legion Post 53. The event will be taking place on Wednesday December 4th at the Post, 124 N Ramona Street in Hemet.

The public is invited.
Perhaps it is not generally known, but the Jones family has always been first in line to move forward with anything that benefits the community and they have a special connection when it involves veterans from all branches of the armed forces.

The primary purpose of this particular event is to make available to veterans and any others that might be interested, the importance of planning ahead for that time when decisions have to be made when someone passes. This is especially true when a veteran dies and there has been no pre-planning. Has the deceased planned ahead to be buried in a National Cemetery? What kind of services would that person have desired? All too often with everyday turmoils and problems that particularly very important decision is thrust on surviving families at a time when they are least emotionally capable o f making such a decision.

At this event you will be able to discuss such important matters as cremation and burials, traditional funerals, veterans benefits, payment plans, pre-arrangements and discounts according to financial situations.

You may think that you will “worry about that” when the time comes, but you will be gone and someone else will suddenly be responsible for making such decisions that you could have made ahead of time, saving your love ones additional suffering outside of natural grief.

This reporter once served two years as an apprentice in two different funeral homes: Walters Funeral Home in Tampa, Florida and Cunningham’s in Charleston, W. Va. Both were family owned businesses and I can tell you from my experience that those people who have the obligation to take care of your body after your demise, and arrangements always treat surviving families like their own. It is a tradition I have seen first hand and the Nick Jones family is a classic example of that kind of devotion to your needs at a time when you really need someone to lean on.

So, if you haven’t thought about that time, and the responsibility you leave to your family, it might be a good idea to come on out and find out just how prepared your family will be when you depart the living scene.  Just sayin’
rustystrait@gmail.com

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So many brave men and women choose to make the sacrifice to serve our great country, and as a result of their devotion to service often leads to injuries sustained in battle or service and results in a loss of freedom due to these injuries. The Veterans Mobility Project gives back to those that sacrificed so much, by providing a way for these Soldiers to regain some of that freedom.

Having the ability to be independent is something we often take for granted. Going outside to enjoy a day at the park or just rolling up to the market without having to rely on someone else can make all the difference in a quality of life that is worth living and feeling the personal satisfaction of being self-sufficient. Pride begins to show in their faces and attitudes as they become accustomed to meeting their personal needs of independence. These men and women of our armed forces have given so much of themselves for our freedom, Veterans Mobility Projects gives some of that freedom back.

In 2017, the question was asked, “How do we provide Veterans with mobility issues easier access to the devices they need? Cloverlane Foundation was instrumental in developing the partnership to bring the Veterans Mobility Project to be realized. Gerald Chase of Cloverlane Foundation, Michael Wofford of Empire Mobility and Russell Mills of American Legion Post 53 teamed up to design this project, and it has become successful in assisting the Veterans within the local communities to expedite getting a mobility device that meets their personal needs. From power wheelchairs, power scooters, to devices tailored to help veterans perform their daily activities. We will also provide a Rollator as a rehabilitation device for a less severely injured veteran. This device will aid the individual and provide stability when walking. It will have brakes, a seat to rest when needed and a storage compartment for personal belongings. Honorably discharged veterans within our local communities are able to apply and obtain the benefits of this program enabling us to provide mobility assistance devices to those in need free of charge with all maintenance included at no cost. This can be accomplished faster than applying through the usual red tape of government agencies.

All applications will be evaluated at no cost to determine the need for assistance as well as the type of device from power wheelchairs to lesser devices. The application process is simplified to speed up the approval process so awards can be promptly made. These mobility devices are awarded at public venues as awards to promote the program and grow community support. If you are interested in further information or would consider a donation to the Veterans Mobility Project, please contact Russell Mills of American Legion Post 53 at (951) 658-2436 or Michael Wofford of Empire Mobility of Hemet at (951) 330-0395 Veterans Mobility Projects are a 501c3 Charity Organization, and your donations are tax-deductible.

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