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16 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2024 By Clare Mendez, Resident Life, I am certain, is one disaster after another, and how you survive is up to you. California is burning, the southeastern states are under a hurricane watch, and soon there will be tornadoes and snowstorms wreaking havoc. While prompt action may save your lives, many cherished photographs, letters, or paintings may be damaged. Finding a way to hold on to or save them will be a bright spot after a dark time. The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (a partnership of more than 60 national service organizations and federal agencies) was created to protect against the damaging effects of natural disasters. They offer the following guidance to help you recover your family treasures (quilts, pictures, journals and so on) from a disaster. 1. Prioritize: You may be unable to save everything, so focus on what is most important to you, whether it be for historical, monetary, or sentimental reasons. 2. Create Space: Spreading things out to dry takes up a lot of space. Be creative: Gently clip photos to a clothesline or create a drying hammock from plastic screening. Never pull apart wet photographs that are stuck together. Remove paintings and pictures from frames so they can breathe. 3. Handle with Care: Use great caution in handling your heirlooms, which can be especially fragile when wet. Gentle air drying is best for all your treasured belongings – indoors, if possible. Hair dryers, irons, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can do irreversible damage. 4. And, they suggest, if you cannot get to everything in a few days, wrap what you can in freezer paper and freeze them until you can air them out properly. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, while we wait for the next disaster to strike, take inventory of what is most important to you. Photograph documents, photos, prints, etc. If the original is lost or damaged you may be able to replace it with the printed, near- perfect, replacement. Maybe even give a copy to a trusted family member or friend so you have your documents in two places. The memories you have of time spent with loved ones can never be taken from you no matter if there is evidence of them happening or not. So, make connections, create new memories, and talk about old times with friends and family. "Back in the day" stories should be told and passed down from generation to generation. Children and Grandchildren love to hear about times when they were younger or what happened when living was different than they know it to be now. Soon enough your stories will become family treasures. Saving Your Family Treasures The Look of War Credit to Rich "Boon" Preston; Submitted by Ralph Grider I have seen the look of war upon my brothers face e lines etched so deep; eyes lost in space We meet without words and beyond the shadow of doubt He knows without question what life's about When youth has been swallowed up in fear When the violence and death has been so near When you live your whole life in the span of one year And survive, freedom is held very, very, very dear I have seen the braggarts with tongues that boast Who say that they have greased the most ey only shine in their own eyes One day, they will boil in their own lies I have seen the silent warrior who has been through hell He sits with his back to the wall and it's easy to tell, With his eyes wide open he reveals his soul And when you look into those eyes, you know. It's in the walk, not the talk, He speaks to heal, not to shock He still welcomes his brother's home, In a crowded room he stands alone. You may notice a tear as he listens to you, He may bow his head and weep when you are through. When outsiders try to run his brothers down, His mind reects back to bloody ground. He' ll defend their honor for it's his right, Mock His war and he' ll be the rst to ght is is the character of a Veterans soul e Brotherhood of war is all he knows I have seen this look of war, On my brothers face.