PRST STD US POSTAGE september 2019 PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411 1201 3rd St connect with us! Corpus Christi, TX 78404 www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 4121 N 23rd St, McAllen, TX 78504 Inside This ISSUE 855 E. Harrison st, brownsville, tx 78520 • 8122 Datapoint Dr. Suite 816 San antonio, TX 78229 The Plight of Our Veterans Page 1 Streaming After ‘Game of Thrones’ Hear What People Are Saying About Us The Plight of Our Veterans Page 2 Bad Driving Habits to Steer Clear Of How Service Members Continue to Live With the Nightmare of Burn Pits Classic Apple Crisp Page 3 In July, we sponsored the second annual Texas Patriot Ruck their options for help are limited. So Honoring the Canines of 9/11 March that was held in Robstown. This event was established far, the Veterans Administration Page 4 to bring attention to the issue of burn pits — a subject I want to (VA) won’t recognize these talk about this month. issues, and neither will the Pentagon. The burn pits have been exposed as another dark side of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Burn pits were used by the military One company, KBR, Inc. as a way to dispose of trash. However, they turned into health (formerly Kellogg Brown & The 4-Legged Heroes of Ground Zero nightmares for many of our men and women who served in Iraq Root) was part of a class- and Afghanistan. action lawsuit involving soldiers who served in both Iraq and Honoring the Canines of 9/11 The pits were used to burn all kinds of material — plastic, Afghanistan. This company played medical waste, batteries, and appliances. In some instances, a significant role in facilitating the burn they even burned dead animals and human body parts. That last pits. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs one often catches people off guard, but that’s the reality. To get New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, became increasingly stressed and depressed the the fire started, they would often douse the material in jet fuel, The Supreme Court came back to say that KBR has immunity. offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a longer they searched without any results, mirroring so these pits would burn for long periods of time. They were serving as a government contractor and therefore fall powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government — and you can’t and while most of the individuals helping with to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep Part of the problem was the lack of oversight about what was sue the government. It was another roadblock for veterans who the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 the dogs’ spirits up. being burned, and much of the materials in these pits put off just wanted to move on with their lives. canines also answered the call to service. toxic fumes. The health risks of inhaling these fumes are very Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and serious, and it’s been compared to the air quality first responders This decision was devastating for a lot of people. Veterans who Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including their handlers made did not go unnoticed. breathed in on 9/11, which has resulted in numerous health were exposed to the “black smoke” of the burn pits are losing search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service Many dog owners were inspired to earn issues for those brave men and women, including cancer. their jobs due to the health issues. Some can’t get jobs because dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to their search and rescue certifications after they can’t pass a physical. Even worse, these service members help find and care for survivors in the wake of the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future Similar side effects are being experienced by service members can’t get any compensation, because no one will recognize the the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such who breathed in burn pit smoke in Iraq and Afghanistan. In many root of their problems. rescue crews as they searched through the debris. catastrophes. cases, burn pits were raging within 100 yards of where these soldiers slept. People were breathing these toxic fumes day and Thankfully, we’re working hard to change this. We’ve actually Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16- After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies night. been in contact with Jon Stewart, the former host of Comedy hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both Central’s “The Daily Show.” He’s been doing a lot of good work through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible Now, more and more service members are reporting that they’ve helping get 9/11 first responders the help they need after through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give developed all kinds of respiratory issues, some very severe. And continued on page 3 ... task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased victims refused to eat or AKCCHF.org 4 844.567.6399 www.herrmanandherrman.com 1 The King of Streams Is Dead 4 Driving Habits We All Need to Stop Streaming in the Wake of ‘Game of Thrones’ Distracted Driving take caution. It’s not worth arriving a few minutes early when there is a slight chance of not arriving We have all been stuck behind the person in at all. With the conclusion of “Game of Thrones” Hulu’s Old Enough to Party front of us who continuously flashes their earlier this year, the streaming industry brake lights, overcorrects their steering, or Not Signaling When Changing Lanes looks eerily similar to the first season Hulu may have looked like an upstart a takes forever to go when the light turns green. of HBO’s fantasy series. The king decade ago, but the video-on-demand You pass them up only to find that they are This is a common habit that can lead to of binge-watching is dead. The service has always had powerful on their cellphone, putting on makeup, or road rage, a ticket, or even a collision. Use once-proud house of HBO Now is friends. Thanks to early alliances with chowing down. Don’t be “that person”; save your signal light as necessary to alert other trying desperately to maintain its broadcasting giants like NBC and Fox, the texting, eating, or whatever else for later. It drivers of your intentions. That also doesn’t dominance, but there’s plenty of the service has always been defined can always wait. mean to switch on your turn signal after you streaming royalty vying for the by great, binge-worthy shows. Riding already started to switch lanes. crown. Most interesting of all are the success of “Brooklyn 99” and “The Driving Too Fast for Road Conditions the different tactics these services Handmaid’s Tale,” Hulu has turned its Leaving High Beams On are using to win over subscribers. attention to film, releasing several classics Whether it’s foggy outside, raining, or even snowing (not exactly this summer including “Drop Dead Gorgeous” an issue in South Texas), there is always one car that seems to There are places and circumstances that call for high beams — Netflix Gets in the Robot and “Superbad.” By finally beefing up its movie be invincible to the elements and continues to drive the normal cruising down Ocean Drive is not one of them. There is nothing selection, the site feels like it’s come of age. speed limit or faster when it really calls for slower, more cautious more irritating than driving down the road and being blinded by a The most venerable of the streaming houses, driving. It’s not only annoying but also extremely dangerous light almost a mile away. Be considerate of other drivers and try Netflix has spent the last two years courting a new ally: Amazon Expands ‘The Expanse’ to drive recklessly in low-visibility weather. Depending on the to routinely check your dashboard to make sure your high beams anime fans. This flirtation with Japanese animation reached circumstances, your vehicle may not grip the road as well and can aren’t on. If you are using your high beams because your low beam a fever pitch in June with the re-release of 1995 cult Like many wise rulers before it, Amazon has made a bid cause a serious collision if not driven properly, so it’s important to bulbs have burned out, get your bulbs replaced ASAP! classic “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” A heady psychological for the throne by giving the people what they want. The drama told with giant robots, religious iconography, and multimedia giant shrewdly picked up the rights to “The tormented characters, “Evangelion” isn’t for everyone, but Expanse” after Syfy canceled it last year, delighting fans who it’s still revered by many for its complex story. The fact petitioned for the show’s continuation.