I will never forget that Saturday night, November 2, 1991, when the entire family was gathered at Long Beach Community Hospital in California waiting for my sister to give birth to her firstborn – Richard.
I loved every opportunity I had to be around Richard while he grew-up. I have tons of memories of Richard growing-up from those days when he was 3 or 4 years-old wanting to go with my Dad to the Donut Shop wearing his cowboy boots, to watching him play football in those Long Beach Poly High School green and gold uniforms. He has made me a proud uncle to see him become the first person in our family to earn their Bachelor’s Degree and play collegiate football. Richard has gone on to continued success while living in Colorado and Montana finding his calling to serve his community in helping others continue their faith. I’m proud of the man that he has become and continues to be!
Please join me
in wishing my nephew a Happy 29th Birthday!!
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| Celebrating Richard's 2nd Birthday in 1993 at Chuck E. Cheese |
THE LOS
ANGELES DODGERS ARE THE WORLD CHAMPS!
As I sat in my living room watching Dodgers Pitcher, Julio Urias strikeout Willy Adames to end Game 6 of the 2020 Major League Baseball World Series – goosebumps ran through my entire body, and was filled with excitement. After numerous recent attempts, the Dodgers finally won their first World Series since 1988 when they defeated the “Mighty Mets” in the National League Championship Series, and then the Oakland A’s “Bash Brothers,” Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire in the World Series.
I remember the
1988 World Series like it was yesterday. I remember being there during Game 1
when the Dodgers were losing going into the Ninth-inning at Dodger Stadium.
Kirk Gibson wobbled up to the plate and hit a two-run homer to win Game 1
against A’s pitcher, Dennis Eckersley. We were seated just a few rows behind
the A’s dugout and when Gibson came up to the plate, everyone stood up and I couldn't
see a thing. I was a 9-year-old kid, not tall enough to see over the crowd, and
missed witnessing Gibson's home run.
My family and I were seated in the seats behind him, right behind his helmet.
Dodgers Baseball in the LA Memorial Coliseum
NOVEMBER IS PANCREATIC
CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Many of you know how passionate I am about the fight against Pancreatic Cancer. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and each week I'll dig a little deeper into Pancreatic Cancer to include symptoms and stories of how this deadly disease has affected so many and will affect an additional 57,000 Americans this year.
In 2006, my high school friend and cross-country teammate, Tyler Noesen, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer at the tender age of 25. At the time of his diagnosis, the five-year survivability rate was only 4% - meaning that he had a 96% chance that he would pass away within five-years. He defeated the odds but lost the battle 5 ½-years after being diagnosed. During his fight, he became extremely active with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the first organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. He participated in two Advocacy Day events in Washington, D.C. where he shared his story and fought hard to help pass the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act which was signed by President Obama a year after Tyler passed away. The Recalcitrant Cancer Research required the National Cancer Institute to develop a strategic plan on how to fight pancreatic cancer. Because of that act, we have been able to raise the 5-year survivability of patients diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer from 4% when Tyler was diagnosed in 2006 to 10% in 2020.
Tyler & I in High School
In 2010, Tyler invited me to get involved with PanCAN and to meet him in Washington, D.C. to participate in PanCAN Advocacy Day. I joined and for over a decade now, I'm continuing Tyler's fight!
Tyler and I at the 2010 PanCAN Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
Tyler wrote
this in his blog just a couple of days after my first and his last Advocacy Day
in June 2010…
“JB Jaso
signed up and we met up in the morning sessions. It was great to see JB and
catch up over the next two days. He is really an amazing guy and I could not
believe that it had been 10 years or so since we had last seen each other. We
both have been through a lot and it was nice to talk to an old friend who really
knows where you are coming from. He is also a great lobbyist, an awesome
addition to the cause, and just a fun guy to be around. Sometimes, these
gatherings are a little tough for me. Most of the time I generally live in
denial of my disease and am just a happy, optimistic guy, but these events put
the cancer front and center. Of the 450 or so people who came to DC this year,
only a handful are survivors. The vast majority of people have lost someone to
pancreatic cancer and some have lost more than one to this disease. Having JB
around just made the few days easier to bear.”
Below is Tyler's Story following the 2010 Advocacy Day
As we go through November, please do these simple things to help bring awareness to Pancreatic Cancer:
- WEAR PURPLE on NOVEMBER 19 – World Pancreatic Cancer
- Share your picture of Wearing Purple on Social Media and hashtag using #PanCANforProgress
HALLOWEEN
FUN
This year has been so different for all of us, but we attempted to bring some normalcy back during Halloween. A small group of friends still gathered within North Carolina's COVID-19 restrictions to celebrate and enjoy my last Halloween in North Carolina. Here are a couple of pictures from the night. I hope you all had an amazing Halloween!!
Willy and I as "Sexy Werewolves"
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| Buddah, Willy and I enjoying my last Halloween in North Carolina |
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| Don't worry - Jay scared me too! |
RETIREMENT
TRANSITION
Over the last
couple of months, I have been hearing many transitioning military members
discussing a program called FourBlock. After further research of the
organization, I discovered that they are dedicated to assisting in bridging the
divide between Veterans and the business community, and help make a successful
military transition. I immediately became excited about their program, and over
the last two weeks, I have been going through their application process to be
considered to join their Career Readiness Program's Spring Semester Cohort.
Following my final interview last week, I was notified that I was selected for their program, which just over 2,500 veterans have been accepted to participate in the organization's history. This three-month program will be an intensive curriculum partnered with Columbia University starting in February. I'm extremely thankful and excited to be accepted into this program and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all!
MILITARY
MEMORY
In my 22-years of military service, I have worked for some great leaders – “Marty” Martinez is one of the best!! A couple of days ago, Marty celebrated his final day in the Army and is officially retired. I first met Marty when we were stationed in Hawaii together. He became my Company Commander and from day one, he was a Leader that truly wanted the best in each of his Soldiers and wanted each of them to strive for excellence.
He has never stop mentoring and encouraging those around him to be better. Even though it's been well over a decade since he was my Company Commander, he has still been there for me! Over the last few months, as I've begun my military transition process, Marty has been there to help guide me through a successful military retirement. I’m truly lucky to have him as a mentor and more importantly a friend!
To help in celebrating his over two decades of military service, I thought I would post pictures of us from our days in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds.”
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS
Without a doubt, I appreciate you all for reading this blog, as I continue to tell my story. It’s been so much fun reflecting on not just my military career, but my life in general. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would like me to discuss a subject in a future blog, please don’t hesitate to ask – I’d be happy to discuss subjects you’d like to hear!
Thank you again for reading!
Have a great
week and Spread Some Aloha!!!!
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