November 11 , 2021 The Beacon • 21
Remembering Veterans Day with my late father
The last Veterans Day I spent with my dad is forever etched in my mind .
I ’ ve always been proud to say my dad is a Vietnam veteran . He was the first to tell you he didn ’ t do anything special . He drove a truck and other vehicles around Vietnam , kept his head down , and tried not to do anything that wouldn ’ t get him sent home alive . I didn ’ t care what he did . I was just proud to say he served our country during that unpopular time in our nation ’ s history .
During my days as a reporter , we actually spent a lot of Veterans Days together . Some of them were warm and sunny . Some were crisp fall days . We ’ d stand side by side on the court square listening to the message delivered that year and often head out to the AMVETS for lunch before I ’ d return to work to write my story .
On our last Veterans Day
Josie Sellers
together at the court square , it hit me that some day my dad wouldn ’ t be by my side . He fought Parkinson ’ s disease long and hard , but on that day the signs of what was to come where there . As usual he saluted the flag , but his arm shook so bad he had trouble keeping his hand where it belonged . I abandoned my notebook and held his elbow for as long as he needed me to .
Parkinson ’ s , which was linked to exposure from Agent Orange , slowly started making going out hard for my dad . When he stopped going to the AMVETS , that ’ s when people really knew something was wrong .
My dad passed away in February 2019 shortly before Valentine ’ s Day , but that ’ s not the hard holiday for me . Taps and the gun salute take on a whole new meaning after you ’ ve watched them be done for a loved one . I struggle to cover Veterans Day and Memorial Day services on the court square . The few times I didn ’ t have someone else to work for me , I did my job with tears in my eyes and cried like a baby when the honor guard fired their rifles .
I struggle to be a part of these stories . Actually , I even shed a few tears while I wrote this . But then I remember that moment on the court square with my dad . He was proud and stubborn . He refused to give up on that salute . Those are all characteristics I see in myself and my daughters . They didn ’ t get to know him long , but I will remind them to stand tall and proud like Grandpa did , even when life is difficult .
Hasseman has new service
Coshocton-based marketing firm and promotional products distributor Hasseman Marketing & Communications announced new digital marketing services for new and existing clients . While Hasseman Marketing already provided marketing services to clients , this new Consolidated Inbox service will help streamline communication for clients and will provide an affordable way for customers to market themselves . Dustin Haywood will head up the new services .
“ We offer an all-in-one communication platform for your business ,” Haywood said . “ That will help you automate your followup and interaction with your customers , leading to more
Editor
happy clients and more money in your pocket .”
The Consolidated Inbox platform is designed to help businesses keep up with communication . When customers and prospects reach out on social-media platforms , they expect a prompt response . The more platforms businesses are managing , the harder it is to keep up .
In addition , it ’ s a platform to reach out to satisfied customers to request
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Google reviews and build one ’ s online reputation .
“ We have been discussing the new service with clients , and the response has been overwhelmingly positive ,” Hasseman Marketing CEO Kirby Hasseman said . “ It ’ s great because it ’ s not only powerful , but it ’ s an affordable tool for clients that might not have been able to afford more elaborate marketing services .”
Hasseman Marketing headquarters is located at
FAMILY FISH FRY Open to the Public Friday , Nov . 12 th • 6pm-7:30pm
Adults $ 11 • Children $ 8 COSHOCTON ELKS
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Coshocton BPW names its Woman of the Year
Submitted
CORRECTION : A name appeared incorrectly with this photo in the Nov . 4 Beacon . The caption should have read : Bruce Gault , left ; Aimee Neighbor , Coshocton BPW Woman of the Year recipient ; and Pat Talbot , president of Coshocton Local BPW .
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