As a kid during World War II, I listened to news about the war on a battery-powered radio. I wondered what it was like to be a soldier in war, while wishing I was old enough to serve. I was in awe of the soldiers who returned to the small community of Marietta, S.C., where I grew up. I also have memories of a few who didn’t come home. Those were sad days. All of the men serving in WWII were my heroes then and today. Next week, I will spend a day with WWII veterans and Korean War veterans, like myself, during Honor Flight Upstate. This is the first year that Korean War veterans will participate in the flight. I was delighted when I first learned that WWII veterans were participating in Honor Flights to Washington, D. C. to see the WWII Memorial. I thought it was a great tribute to those men. We can’t honor them enough. They are truly the “Greatest Generation.” What they and their families endured is unimaginable to most of us. At the same time, I thought of all the work, effort, fundraising and coordination required for these flights and recognized that’s no easy task. I personally want to thank all the volunteers and contributors that make this day possible for our veterans. However, I must admit that I felt a little left out initially. The Korean War was dubbed “Police Action” and the “Forgotten War.” By and large, Korean War veterans were ignored as well. I was barely 16 years old when I enlisted in the Army. It was a month after North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. I was scared to death, but I remembered WWII. I wanted to be a part of this war. You’ve probably heard the saying, “God takes care of dogs and soldiers.” Well, God sure took care of me. Long story short, my unit was sent to California in preparation for shipping out to Korea in 1952. But, we were shipped to Germany instead. Some of us were really disappointed by the decision, but just as many, or more, were very pleased that we were not going to Korea. So, I didn’t get to go to Korea during my first three-year stint in the Army. Although the armistice had been signed, I still wanted to go to Korea, thus I re-upped (Army slang) for three years and was sent to Korea in January of 1954. I spent 18 months in Korea. At the end of my service, I was a sergeant first class. When I learned that Korean War veterans would be eligible for the “Honor Flights,” I was ecstatic. I immediately got on the phone to call everyone that I thought could help me apply for the flight. I completed an application and sent it in. I called and emailed the volunteers so much they probably thought I was a pain. When I got notice that I had been selected for this first flight with Korean War veterans, I was absolutely on cloud nine for days. I thought, “My goodness, what could be better than this?” I will see the Korean War Memorial and spend a whole day with men who had many of the same experiences as me. But, it does get better. I had mistakenly thought this flight was for Korean War veterans only. But to my delight, I learned that WWII veterans would also be aboard the flight. Now, I get to meet and talk to some of the greatest of “The Greatest Generation.”

According to a study published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a higher fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with fewer cancer deaths and longer life. However, a survey recently conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) shows that most Americans still don’t know that what they eat can help prevent cancer.

We know that, as we age, the prevalence of hypertension increases, with more than 60% of the U.S. population that is over the age of 60 having hypertension. We also know that people who have blood pressures closer to 120/80 mmHg have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.

So, why did the expert panel go against what would seem intuitive and actually raise the blood pressure goal for those over the age of 60 from 140/90 to 150/90 mmHg?