What do I think about the shooter? Do I think he had PTSD/secondary PTSD or anything like that? NO – that is total BS! We will see what unfolds about him, since unfortunately, he still lives while taking so many lives and wounding so many others. I believe we have a murderer who did it because he wanted to, whether in the name of religion or whatever else. He killed his brothers and sisters in arms because he is a murderer -period.

Last year, I was approached by Wizard 101 as a Milblogger. They wanted to initially reach out to the military community with this game and sent me this email (along with a trial subscription):

One of the great things we’ve been seeing since the launch of Wizard101 is how families are using it to spend quality time with each other across distance, and we’re excited about the implications for military families. Although your husband is no longer in the military, I know you are still involved in the military community via your blog, and we’d love for your family to check out the game free of charge and let us know what you think. It’s a fun way to interact with long-distance grandparents, as well. And if anyone else on your blog team might be interested, please let me know!

Wizard101 is a colorful, friendly, kid-safe world, with a card-based combat system (similar to Pokemon) and a rich storyline that introduces players to Ravenwood School of the Magical Arts and engages them in saving a fractured world as they hone their magical skills.

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My 11 yo son has continued to be a big fan of this game and plays with many of his friends on-line. Today he asked my husband for his .mil address. They are offering special codes for children who can provide a .mil address of their parent in honor of Veteran’s Day. I just hope they don’t spam my hubby (I am confident they will not as they don’t send mass emails).

It will get toasty on air this week!

What started as a PTA suggesting school uniforms for Williams Middle School in Huntsville, Alabama has grown into a huge ordeal. My confirmed guest as of now will be Emily Grisham of A Soldiers’ Perspective. Emily and her husband and several other families have become in a heated debate about this proposal.

My guest is my good friend and complete political opposite, Ed Branley – AKA “Yatpundit” @yatpundit

The show will finish up with my wonderful sponsors ClearedJob.net, who will have LT Commander Kevin Childre speaking about the upcoming Wounded Warrior Ride they are sponsoring.

The Kiss My Gumbo Radio show airs each Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 (central) Saturday on AM 690 WIST or live on your computer here. 888-880-WIST or (504)260-0690

If you would like to offer help, please go to Soldiers’ Angels and see what you can do to help.

1.There are a variety of items up for Valour-IT auction. Go bid on one of them!

2. Go register your blog or website to join one of the 4 teams and get your own thermometer widget.

3. Make a donation – no matter how small. Remember 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase & delivery of technology to our wounded heroes.

4. Tell everyone you know about Project Valour-IT! Create a viral email or put on you Facebook wall.

5. Buy a fabulous gift for yourself or for someone for the holidays from one of the businesses supporting Valour-IT. Or register for the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas quilt.

Though either Army, Air Force, Navy/Coast Guard, or Marines will be declared the winner of the competition and will gain bragging rights until next year, our wounded heroes are the winners! Go Project Valour-IT!

When: Friday November 13th
Where: Superdome Plaza Level by Vietnam Memorial Statue
Time: 9:30 ceremony followed by a street parade
Route: Veterans_Day_Parade_2009

The Veteran’s Day National Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs selected New Orleans as a Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day 2009. The celebration has been scheduled for November 13, 2009 at 9:30 AM mustering at the Vietnam Memorial Statue, New Orleans Superdome Plaza Level. The Greater New Orleans Veterans Council would like to have a representative from each service organization and each branch of service on the podium for opening remarks. Please contact the coordinators Isaac Gilliard at Igilliardj@aol.com, or JJ Witmeyer at jjwjr@bellsouth.net to confirm who your representatives will be or with questions. Military units are requested to advise the coordinators if they can participate in the parade following the presentations.

Col. Henry J. Cook

Past National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, after serving over fifteen years with MOPH, gaining invaluable experience while in the positions of National Aide-de-Camp, Chapter Commander, Region Commander, National Junior Vice Commander and National Senior Vice Commander.

He was a career Special Forces (Green Beret) officer for thirty-three of the total forty-two years that he was on combined active and reserve duty. His combat tours began in 1967-68 when he operated behind enemy lines in for extended periods of time conducting operations with native guerrilla troops as the Executive Officer of the 4th Mobile Guerrilla. He saw additional combat in 1969-70 when he led a U.S. Special Forces Mobile Strike Force Battalion (MIKE FORCE), consisting of Green Beret officers and sergeants leading Cambodian mercenaries, again working behind enemy lines as well as reacting to attacks on friendly bases, often requiring that his unit be parachuted into hostile drop zones.

Later, he participated in Desert Shield (Saudi Arabia), Desert Storm (Kuwait) and Iraq, and Operation Provide Comfort (Support to Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq.

For his valor and military skills, Colonel Cook was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold and Silver Stars, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge, Special Forces Tab, and numerous other U.S. and foreign decorations.

Henry Cook is now twice retired, as a soldier and as a lawyer and resides in Diamondhead, Mississippi. He is a member of the Pro Bono Consortium representing veterans who appeal denial of claims and is a member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims. He’s been a member of the Mississippi Bar Association since 1978 and also serves as a Municipal Judge Pro Tem in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Other significant contributions to veterans by Henry Cook include: a major role in the creation of the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Ocean Springs and helping raise over $500,000 to help MOPH members in Louisiana and Mississippi who lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. In addition to MOPH, he also belongs to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Special Forces Association (SFA), Special Operations Association (SOA), Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW). He is also he Legislative Advisor for Soldiers’ Angels.

You can read more about Col. Henry in this PDF file on pages 31 & 32.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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