The United States Department of Justice is reconsidering significant portions of the Americans With Disabilities Act. One of the provisions involves reasonable accommodation when the disabled person (and/or their service dog) presents a “direct threat” to those around them. In the past, reasonable accommodation could be dispensed with if the individual was afflicted with a communicable disease. Now, the government is considering expanding “direct threat” to include service animals as well as other circumstances. The way this is worded, it is probably going to fly under the radar. Quite a few Veterans I know have service dogs and this may affect them.
The EOD Warrior Foundation has two upcoming events. All proceeds from both events benefit the EOD Warrior Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on meeting the needs of wounded, ill or injured EOD techs and their families. Register at www.EODwarrior5k.org
Tattoos have become an essential way for those in the military, law enforcement and first responder communities to celebrate and commemorate their service. EVERENCE is going taking that idea to a whole new level. The name itself is a portmanteau of the words Forever and Reverence. Both of those concepts describe why people get tattoos, but EVERENCE is a patented technology by Endeavor Life Sciences that allows you to add DNA from a loved one into any new or existing tattoo.
EVERENCE was created after Patrick Duffy saw a commemorative tattoo on the leg of the widow of a fallen SEAL while SCUBA diving in Key Largo, Florida. There, he and his father run a therapeutic diving program for Veterans. Duffy looked at the tattoo considered how to add something even more significant and that’s when he came up with DNA. After a lot of research, Endeavor Life Sciences was born.
I’m told the process is simple. The collection is as easy as taking a cheek swab. The DNA is then synthesized and encapsulated in what looks like a powdery substance. It is actually a medical grade polymer called PMMA, often used in medical applications. The PMMA contains the DNA sample. The vial of Everence can be brought to any tattoo artist and added to the ink. This is significant because it means you can go to any artist you choose.
It’s harmless and completely individualized. Because it’s a powder, you can take it to any artist. They add it to the ink, prior to tattooing. Here, Retired SEAL Stephen “Turbo” Toboz talks about his experience.
Once you start thinking about it, you can do almost anything. Imagine a tattoo of your family with their DNA. It’s like having them with you always. Likewise, a unit tattoo can be customized with DNA from fellow teammembers. It could even be the DNA from a beloved pet.
But that’s not all. The EVERENCE powder could be added to many processes or left in a vial. It could become a keychain or placed in the handle of a knife. In fact, I imagine specialty vendors creating new applications.
While I see it as very complimentary to military tattoos commemorating friends, family and service, anyone could incorporate EVERENCE into tattoos and other applications, and I hope they do. It’s a fine way to honor those who mean so much to us.
Classy Raptor is run by Disabled Veteran Curtis Iovito II and his wife and fellow Veteran Jennifer. I know Curtis through his dad and he’s a great guy. For the last several years they’ve been knife dealers. More recently, Curtis and Jennifer started making firearms parts from Copper and Titanium. They’ve really expanded their line which includes back plates for Glocks and M&Ps as well as magazine floor plates. They are worth checking out.
Yesterday, I took my sons to Colonial Shooting Academy Virginia Beach. While there, I noticed a display for a local, Veteran owned business named Colonial Flag Company.
They offer a wide variety of options, including customization.
Eagles and Angels Limited has two lines of laser cut leather, American flag patches. The last time we mentioned them, their website went down so we wanted to remind everyone about this.
Above, you’ll see the Warrior Collection, which uses fabric from the MultiCam family, and below is an example of the Eagle Collection, which uses the fabric donated from a service member.
