Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

military animals

Memorial Day Thoughts

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                                          First Peace rose bloom in my garden this month after a rain shower. The drops look like tears.

Recently, I fished clumps of crud out of my shower drain and I asked myself; how did I get here? My goal was to clean the bathroom counter and sink. But first I needed to clear an assortment of items off the counter. This led to sorting a small tray in my top bathroom drawer.

Then I grabbed the cleaner from under the main sink and found one of the bottles had dripped. Next, I pulled everything out to clean that up which meant I then reorganized the plastic baskets under the sink to add one for the cleaning supplies. Then I wondered if I could use a basket from under the second sink.

I pulled those containers out and found water in one. Uh oh. A quick inspection revealed the drainer stopper holder pipe thingie (technical term) had popped out. The last time I opened it, a part of my plastic glove ripped off and jammed it. Okay. Easy enough fix. Cleaned and reorganized those baskets under the sink, grateful the plastic one contained all the overflow.

Then I saw the small sink drain snake that hangs on the inside cabinet door. Maybe I should use that on the shower drain? There was some stuff in it. That led to popping the drain cover which revealed sludge city. Way more than the sink snake could handle. I scooped out as much as I could with my gloved fingers, but my digits were not long enough.

Creativity works, so I dashed to the garage to get my recycled wire coat hanger used for toasting marshmallows for s’mores in the fireplace. (I upgraded to fancy ones from the sports store) Proceeded to mangle it into submission and happily fished out clumps of muck.

And boy howdy, I felt like I’d landed a wild ocean salmon when I got great results on this specific fishing expedition. So proud of myself. And that’s when I realized how similar my activities were to what it’s like to live in the United States today.

Fishing through crap looking for gems.

Whatever your feelings about the war in Iran, please SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

Trust me, I have very strong opinions about this war as an Army veteran, former Air Force Reserve officer activated for Desert Shield/Storm, and the proud daughter of two World War II veterans.

As the creator and instructor for the Writing War Stories class from 1998 to 2000, I witnessed the impact on the men and women who served and still bore the brunt of unpopular public opinion decades after the Korean and Vietnam Wars. I’m sure the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can relate, plus all the other deployed military members and their families.

Don’t take your frustrations out on the troops. They are doing the best they can in an untenable legal quagmire full of dangerous physical situations.

My condolences and heart aching support goes out to our recently fallen and wounded, and their families and friends. There are no words to ease their sorrow.

On this weekend meant to honor all who gave their lives in defense of our nation, we have troops in harm’s way.

At a time when the Department of Veterans Affairs is decimated, and our current veterans are not supported, this song gets old fast for those of us who have seen it happen again and again.

War is not a game.

Nor should it be used to make people money.

Women, men, children, pets, and animals die. And suffer.

The brave people of Ukraine know this agony firsthand.

In addition, every war stirs up an ugly bunch of emotional sewage for all veterans and their families.

This weekend would be a good time to check in on veterans, friends, family members, or those serving, and let them know you support them.

Because our days in the United States right now resemble cleaning my bathroom.

What I thought was a simple job turned into three and a half hours.

Life is never simple. Neither is logistics.

We’ve got a lot to clean up these days, in the USA and around the world. We’ve got big messes on ALL of earth’s grocery aisles.

We break it, we own it.

But we must support our troops when they are mobilized.

Do it for the future veterans we are making today who are honoring their oaths to the Constitution. At great risk to themselves and their families.

Because real warfare requires steady professionals with strategic and tactical brilliance and logistical magicians.

Leaders who truly care about our troops and humanity in general.

I don’t see that from the current civilians responsible for this tragedy. Far from it.

More like subpar soap slime in my shower drain.

But you know what comes out of our current American decay? Decomposed rot turns into compost. With that we can grow a better democracy out of the wreckage that works for we the people. Not just the billionaires.

Right now, we have to be like oxen and plow ahead to create a better country that is fair and equal for all.

Because as a veteran and military romance author, I don’t want to keep writing about the trauma of our military members who are used as pawns, not people, and the lasting effects of those tragic decisions on their lives.

Serving in the military, we fight, cry, bleed, and die together. We are bonded by blood.

This weekend, please remember the ultimate sacrifice of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard personnel and military animals over the last two-hundred and fifty years.

We owe their priceless gift to our nation more than fancy speeches and photo opportunities for a day.

We have to do the daily work to carry on the ideals for which they gave their lives.

Every small step forward counts.

Lead with kindness and love.

Support our troops.

Have a safe weekend.

Peace out.

 

“Memorial Day Thoughts” Copyright © 2026 by Kimberly A. Cook. Image Copyright © 2026 by Kimberly A. Cook

Happy Veterans Day To All Who Have Served

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George W. Tuthill, Army, Union, 1861-1865. My great-great-grandfather.

I come from a long line of warriors. On this Veteran’s Day, I would like to thank all who have

John Tuthill, Army, World War I. My Grandfather.

served in the United States military. Past and present.

All who have served in the National Guard, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and all working military animals. I also salute those in the Merchant Marine who have endured hardship and sacrifice to support us on the seas.

With the United States population estimated at 329,064,917 million, there are approximately 23,234,000 living veterans, of those 16,962,000 being war veterans.

That works out to roughly seven percent of the entire United States population, of which five percent are war veterans. Numbers change daily with worldwide conflicts and deployments.

On this Veteran’s Day, I’ve decided to share photos of my family citizen soldiers who have taken the oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

When you raise your right hand and take that oath, it is a solemn occasion. Three times I’ve felt the weight and responsibility of that oath settle on my shoulders.

To those serving on active duty and in the reserves today, I salute you, thank you, and look forward to welcoming you into the veteran family when your duties have come to an end.

For those of us who are veterans, we celebrate this day given to us by the service of those who have gone before us.

Betty Cook, Marines, World War II. My Mom.
James Cook, Army-Air Corps, World War II. My Dad.

Men and women of each generation step up to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Hats off to all who have dug deep and sacrificed to protect our freedoms.

I am here because of their legacies.

Happy Veterans Day!

Rod Tuthill, Marines, served during Korean War. My Uncle.

 

Gordon Hubbard, Army, served during the Vietnam War in Berlin. My brother-in-law.

Honoring The Brave

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

This weekend we head into Memorial Day and last Saturday was U.S. Armed Forces Day. With all the crazy going on in the world, we can always rely on the men and women in our military doing their jobs day in and day out to keep us safe.

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Tomb Sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conduct a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 5, 2017. Members of The Old Guard have guarded the Tomb every second, of every day regardless of weather conditions since April 6, 1948. (U.S. Army photos by Pfc. Gabriel Silva)

 

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A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter arrives at the pickup zone at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 6. The aviators were taking part in a joint-training exercise with Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, in anticipation of working together during future Atlantic Resolve missions. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Thomas Scaggs)

 

I wanted to recognize all service members in the National Guard, Reserve, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and our military animals. This Sunday on Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country.

Laboon is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region
 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (May 11, 2017) Yeoman Seaman Theresa Porcellini mans the ship’s wheel from the aft steering station during a simulated toxic gas drill aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). The ship is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J. R. DiNiro/Released)

 

A picture speaks a thousand words, so these photos are courtesy of the Department of Defense amazing photographers.

 

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Pfc. Heaven Southard, an Army military working dog handler with the Directorate of Emergency Services, Area Support Group – Kuwait, releases her military working dog “Jerry” during a demonstration of MWD capabilities at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Mar. 7, 2017. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Smith)

 

Give a prayer of thanks for those who serve and take a moment of silence to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our country. Freedom isn’t free.

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GULF OF OMAN (March 2, 2017) Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) disembark a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) after returning to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) following exercise Sea Soldier 17. The annual, bilateral exercise is conducted with the Royal Army of Oman and is designed to demonstrate the cooperative skill and will of U.S. and partner nations to work together in maintaining regional stability and security. Somerset, with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce and enhance regional stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amanda Chavez/Released)

 

 

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USCG Motor Lifeboat 47213 conducting surf operations near the treacherous Columbia River Bar, Washington. The 47-foot Motor Life Boat is primarily designed as a fast-response rescue vessel for high-seas, surf, and heavy weather environments. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Thielen)

 

Angel Thunder 17
Angel Thunder 17
Air Force pararescuemen with the 58th Rescue Squadron prepare for aerial transport during a personnel recovery scenario at Pond Landing Zone during Angel Thunder 17 in Tucson, Ariz., May 11, 2017. Angel Thunder is a two-week, Air Combat Command-sponsored, joint certified and accredited personnel recovery exercise focused on search and rescue. The exercise is designed to provide training for personnel recovery assets using a variety of scenarios to simulate deployment conditions and contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marianique Santos)

 

Take A Moment To Remember On Memorial Day

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Next Monday is Memorial Day and many of us will be off work. In this age of Memorial Day sales and the rush out-of-town for a long weekend, take a few moments to reflect on what Memorial Day is really all about.

The Vietnam Wall at night on November 5, 2005, in Washington, D.C. The blue folder contains the War Stories I left there from my veteran writing students.
The Vietnam Wall at night on November 5, 2005, in Washington, D.C. The blue folder contains the War Stories I left there from my veteran writing students.

This national holiday was put into law to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who died while in military service. It is also a time we can remember those who have served and passed on after war and peace. It’s also a time to honor and never forget those who never came home and are still Missing In Action or Prisoners of War, their fate never to be known.

Thumbing through the back newspapers from my vacation on Sunday, I came across an article that one of my former veteran writing students, Phillip Leveque, had passed at the age of 92. Phillip was a character in every sense of the word and never failed to entertain us all with his stories and brought tears to our eyes when telling the truth about his service during World War II.

He served with the 89th Infantry Battalion as a Battalion Scout and earned the Combat Infantry Badge. As he told it, “he walked from Luxembourg to near Dresden mostly under fire.”

In Oregon he is better known as the “Pot Doc,” a name he preferred to be remembered by as he introduced medical marijuana to Oregon and later lost his license issuing cards for users. In a news story in February of this year while he was on hospice he stated he was “very proud” that medical marijuana would be legal in Oregon this July, especially for veterans with level five and above PTSD.

It was an honor to coach Phillip for three years in my class and read his stories. Later he published his own book of war stories and I wish I had a copy. Life goes by quickly enough, so on this Memorial Day take a few moments to remember the men, women and military animals who gave their all to keep this country free.

Then go have a great picnic and celebrate the day in honor of those who are no longer with us. I know they are with us in spirit and would want us to play and have fun with family and friends, because those are the most important things in life after all. So raise a hot dog, beer or s’more in toast to them all on Memorial Day.

Those we’ve lost are watching from the true high ground and will be cheering us on. Land of the free, because of the brave.

Special Note: For all those now riding across the country on Run For The Wall to participate in Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C. the day before Memorial Day, God Speed and ride safe.

Have You Built Your Pet A Castle?

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We love our pets. Spec Ops Cat is a big part of the Warrior Tales team, even though he is retired he is still in charge of ecommerce, security and conducting perimeter patrols. Pets give us unconditional love with no strings attached; something not always available from other humans.

This is one reason I think veteran’s bonds with their pets are so important; the furry ones may be the only “people” who give a veteran total acceptance and trust. This attachment/love is very strong for all the active duty personnel and veterans who worked with animals in the military too. We all know our pets and marine mammals are smarter than we are, but we try to pretend we are in charge.

Rufus the cat knows all about the power of love. His Dad decided to do something special for him after a tough two weeks of having to give Rufus icky medicine. Not only does Rufus Rock, but his human Dad is pretty cool too. Build your pet a castle today! Happy Quirky Friday!