Month: June 2024

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, American flew nearly 70 World War II veterans to Normandy, France. The historic trip started at American’s headquarters in Dallas-Fort Worth with a kickoff dinner that included a 1940s-era big band and the Victory Belles from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Veterans were also given a special heroes’ arrival by American Airlines team members before heading to Dallas Fort Worth International airport, where the celebration continued.

Additional trip participants include a few Rosie the Riveters, an iconic representation in the United States of the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, and six Medal of Honor recipients, our nation’s highest award for valor. Over 50 cadets and midshipmen from our nation’s military service academies also joined the group, accompanying the veterans and providing music as a joint academy choir.

Our people making a difference is a series featured throughout Owens Corning’s 2023 Sustainability Report.

A career as an environmental lawyer has been a way for Clarise Ashworth to combine two things she cares about deeply: the environment and the well-being of people. Her work has brought her to Owens Corning, where she has helped oversee product stewardship and compliance since 2021. Clarise is also actively involved in our work to ensure that the people with whom we interact are treated with dignity and respect, and she shares her perspective on why that’s important for Owens Corning.

On the collaboration required in our efforts to safeguard human rights

The Product Stewardship and Compliance teams directly support Owens Corning’s 2030 sustainability goals and its commitment to human rights. The Compliance team is accountable for our human rights Policy and our Business Code of Conduct. We actively partner with Human Resources, Sourcing, and our business partners to ensure that all people engaged in our day-to-day operations are treated with dignity and respect and their basic human rights are protected. Our global Product Stewardship function, which ensures that our products are safe to make and use and perform as expected, also plays a role by ensuring that our input materials are conflict-free and responsibly sourced.

On staying true to our core values

Our very purpose is that “Our people and our products make the world a better place.” How could we ever achieve this purpose if the people involved in making our products are not treated with the utmost dignity and respect? For me, I would say that working to ensure all peoples’ basic human rights is more than a part of our approach to sustainability; it’s simply the right thing to do. It is fundamentally who we are, as a company. In my opinion, we cannot make the world a better place unless we are relentlessly focused on making people’s lives better. We must recognize that many people’s day-to-day existence can differ significantly from ours, acknowledge that we all have a part to play in making the world a better place for everyone, and actively work to ensure that dignity and respect are freely given and safety is fundamental. If we can do that, the rest takes care of itself.

On what sets Owens Corning apart as a company in this area

Owens Corning has heart. That’s not something that you can write into your Articles of Incorporation or a business plan. It comes from the people who show up every day and dedicate themselves to the work at hand. As individuals, we are all unique. We look different. We think different. We act different. But together, we form the collective conscience of the company. What I see when I look around is generosity, pure heart, and a genuine respect for each other. That’s what sets us apart.

By Kim Borges

Marianne Masters had just three days to rehearse her delivery of 24 notes.

Twenty-four very important, deeply respectful, somber notes.

“I hadn’t played in 25 years,” Masters said of the last time she’d picked up the trumpet. “I thought, ‘How am I going to do this?’”

In a few days, she would be playing “Taps” for the American Legion Post 1115 Honor and Color Guard during a military funeral in Spring Bay, Illinois.

It’s a patriotic mission deeply rooted in her family’s DNA.

“Both of my grandfathers served in the military,” explained Masters. “My mom’s dad was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart from the Navy after being missing in action in the Korean War. My dad’s dad also served, and his four brothers were all in the military, as well.”

The trumpet Masters plays belonged to her paternal grandfather.

“He passed it down to me,” she said. “Maybe that’s where I inherited my musical talent.”

When Masters isn’t playing, the manager of Regions Bank’s East Peoria branch is helping customers build financial confidence – including Spring Bay Post 1115, which has banked with Regions for 55 years.

Masters’ personal path to the American Legion Auxiliary began five years ago thanks to an evening out.

“When I moved back to the area, a friend of mine was bartending at the Legion,” said Masters. “She said, ‘You should come down; there are so many people you’d know here.’”

While reconnecting with old friends, Masters made a new connection: Dennis Tipsword, a state commander with the American Legion. It might be overstating things to put Tipsword in the friend category immediately.

“Dennis wasn’t sure about me in the beginning,” said Masters. “But then I think he realized, ‘That girl’s not so bad,’ and I’ve been his best friend since. He has a heart of gold.”

Tipsword discovered Masters has one, too. In addition to playing “Taps,” she’s also been baking pies for the past five years – all-American apple is her standby. Plus, she’s helped with set-up and tear-down for the Legion’s family funeral services and cooking for the annual Veterans Day dinner. It’s all part of her involvement with the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.

“Marianne is always ready to volunteer for many different assignments,” said Tipsword. “She always says, ‘Let me know if I can help anywhere.’ She always does her part.”

Doing her part also includes inviting her fellow branch associates to join her in making the holidays a bit brighter for veterans.

“The Auxiliary women prepared holiday stockings filled with crossword puzzles, socks and gift cards, and we took them to the Veteran’s Administration clinic,” said Masters. “Many don’t have family and won’t receive gifts. They just melted when we presented those stockings.”

In 2022, Masters found another way to help as the American Legion revived its Spring Bay Watermelon Festival. The carnival-style event features a craft show, car show and, of course, watermelon as part of its food tents. Masters is serving as the festival’s 2024 entertainment chair. Regions Bank in Central Illinois has sponsored the event the past three years.

Masters will be multi-tasking during this year’s event by playing in the festival’s live music line-up – but it won’t be the trumpet.

“I play piano in a country band, and we’ll be opening for the headliner,” she said.

That might sound like a lot of pressure, but Masters is far more relaxed these days thanks to her “Taps” experience.

“I was scared out of my wits,” she recalled of her first trumpeting performance. “I had no idea what to expect. It was cold and rainy. There were 100 flags lined up down this road. I couldn’t believe how many people were there. It gave me goosebumps.”

You could say Masters has experienced all the feels while playing.

“We had a day that was probably 100 degrees,” she said of another ceremony. “I knew when my cue was, I stood at attention and held the trumpet in the sun for 30 minutes before playing. When I placed it to my mouth, it burnt my lips. That burn lasted a week.”

What’s lasted longer is what she’s gained from playing.

“It’s been a learning experience for me,” Masters said. “I was very timid that night back at the Legion five years ago. This has encouraged me to put myself out there and push through it despite being nervous.”

The gift she’s received for doing so? Well, it’s priceless.

“Watching everyone with their hand over their heart standing in silence it is an indescribable feeling,” said Masters. “So many family members thank me. ‘Taps’ is played to honor our servicemembers who have given their all to protect us and our country. I’m so honored to play my small part at these events. I think my grandfathers would be quite touched and proud I do this.”

Send a Memorial Day ecard in remembrance of those who have served.

A Regions Community Partner in Indy Honors the Fallen

For 60-plus years, the 500 Festival in Indianapolis has held its American Legion Memorial Service the Friday before Memorial Day. The ceremony is one of 50-plus events the nonprofit conducts each May leading up to the Indianapolis 500.

“It’s so important that we take a moment this weekend to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served their country to ensure the freedom we enjoy today,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Regions Bank for their community partnership, recognizing their pivotal role in magnifying the significance of honoring our fallen heroes and their families.”

Regions Bank in Indy has worked with the 500 Festival for more than 30 years. In 2023, the bank made its debut in the 500 Festival’s annual downtown Parade. The event draws 200,000 spectators, making it the nation’s third-largest parade. The Regions Big Bike will make its return to Indy for this year’s Parade May 25.

HOUSTON, June 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Silambam Houston is embracing sustainability with the installation of a rooftop solar array and a new pavilion at its Pearland dance studio thanks to a grant of nearly $103,000 from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

The 14.58 kW solar array is expected to offset 100 percent of the building’s energy needs and save the organization more than $4,000 each year for the next 25 years. The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Sustainability Pavilion will serve as an outdoor gathering space for receptions and events at the facility.

Silambam is an Indian classical arts organization, seeking to increase the appreciation and understanding of Indian artistic traditions across cultural boundaries. The arts academy program serves 180 students each week with more than 20 teaching artists on staff and the professional dance company with more than 20 dancers regularly performs at Houston venues, including Miller Outdoor Theater. The organization has a series called “Dancing into STEM” to explain STEM concepts, bringing together two passions of the founder — dance and science.

“We are thrilled to be able to weave sustainable practices into our arts programming, while also giving back to community,” said Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan, founder and executive artistic director of Silambam. “The annual savings from this project will allow us to increase artist pay, provide tuition waivers for economically disadvantaged students, and/or provide free or pay-what-you-can access to our ArtStream Concerts, all while benefiting the environment.”

Green Mountain Energy is inspiring hope, motivating action through the use of clean energy, and advancing sustainable communities through Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $14 million for 164 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental stewardship.

“At Green Mountain Energy, we recognize that our choices can have a profound impact on our environment,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice president. “We’re proud to support the rich and diverse culture of the Indian community, and we’re glad to help Silambam take the next step toward a more sustainable future.”

Silambam will perform at the Miller Outdoor Theater on June 7.

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About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy is inspiring hope, motivating action through the use of clean energy, and advancing sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has donated more than $14 million for 164 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

About Silambam Houston

Silambam is an Indian classical arts organization, seeking to increase the appreciation and understanding of Indian artistic traditions across cultural boundaries. The arts academy program serves 180 students each week with more than 20 teaching artists on staff and the professional dance company with more than 20 dancers regularly performs at Houston venues, including Miller Outdoor Theater. The organization has a series called “Dancing into STEM” to explain STEM concepts, bringing together two passions of the founder — dance and science.

Media Contacts:

Estefanía Joy, Green Mountain Energy 
713-537-5735 
media@greenmountain.com 
X: @GreenMtnEnergy

Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan, Silambam Houston 
713-635-9382 
lavanya@silambamhouston.org