Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

military

Can You Climb A Mountain?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

It’s been a bit of a weird Spring here in the good old USA and in other parts of the world. Seems the wackier it gets out there, the more I retreat to my books and happy ending tv shows. Then I come across a story that puts my perspective firmly in place.

These veterans accomplished an amazing feat in February and I wanted to share it. Through grit and determination, they climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. That may sound like a bit of a task, but these military foot soldiers are missing body parts which would make the climb a challenge even if they had all their digits.

Even the “normie” cameraman had a hard go of it and he had all his appendages. The documentary should be out the end of this year, you can catch up with this group at

www.kilimanjarowarriors.com

When it comes to being WIA, wounded in action, the hard road begins afterwards. The long hours and months it takes to not only get physically well, but to also deal with the mental and emotional scars. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have left us with many wounded warriors, each one an important story.

These are the kind of tales which make me write about my fellow veterans and talk about the day-to-day courage of veterans that most folks never see. It seems veterans and especially wounded warriors have been climbing this mountain for years now. Go grunts!

I salute these hard-charging men and women who are still fighting, for themselves and others who can’t make the trip. Take a look. Freedom isn’t free and these veterans are the best of the best.

KILIMANJARO WARRIORS: Teaser Trailer 1 from Bevan B. Bell on Vimeo.

What Do We Do When Our Dream Sails Away?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

I’m one of those personality types who need closure, tidy endings, aka a wrap-up. Not that I have control issues – much, but according to my Myers-Briggs INFJ category, leaving possibilities open for eons raises my blood pressure. With that in mind, I am blowing my own cover and saying goodbye to a volunteer project I worked long and very hard on, the USS Ranger Foundation.

Long story short, we tried to bring  a retired USS Navy aircraft carrier 125 miles upriver from the Pacific Ocean to her new life as a Museum, Memorial, Education Center, Tourism and Special Events and Emergency Preparedness site. In 2005 I attended a Foundation board meeting with a marketing plan draft and got thrown on the Board of Directors. Literally. Figured they needed some Army blood amongst all those retired sailors and pilots, I guess.

Worked my tail off on the project until work and family needs made me step back in 2008, but I maintained the Foundation’s phone line. Fast forward to July 2010 when I needed to turn the phone line over to the Foundation’s Development Director. Shannon Chisom and I bonded, especially when she finally met the person who everybody would tell her, “Oh, Kim used to do that.”

It was an exciting time with the Foundation since a potential site had finally been secured in Fairview, Oregon. I volunteered to set up Twitter and the YouTube Channel for the Foundation, since I figured I could manage that with the day job, writing and family. The first day I met Shannon I went from posting two Spec Ops Cat videos on YouTube to interviewing the mayor of Fairview. Ha! Mission creep struck and soon I was the Online Media Manager and handling the Foundation’s Facebook page, Twitter, Zazzle store, Pinterest, posting to the Main Web Page, and producing 25 YouTube videos, in addition to a thousand other things.

In the end, our dream was not to be. We came close, very close. Throwing grenades and horseshoes close. With amazing support from the City of Fairview staff and citizens, plus all of East County, government entities and our elected representatives, we damn near did it. U.S. Navy budget constraints and time did us in. USS Ranger was to be bid out for scrap as a package with her de-commissioned sister carriers sitting in Bremerton, Washington and the Navy couldn’t wait any longer. With more aircraft carriers coming off active duty, they needed moorages. We got that word directly from the Secretary of the Navy’s Office.

When the news came last winter, the Foundation still worked behind the scenes hoping for a Hail Mary. Didn’t work. We never had a “final meeting” for our Team Ranger Staff and volunteers. We closed the Foundation office and put items in storage. It took several months for the Board of Directors to decide what to say on the web site. Recently I closed the Twitter and YouTube accounts, Zazzle is next.

It broke my heart to lose USS Ranger. She is a historic aircraft supercarrier whose like will never be built again; Navy ship building needs have changed. She was a decorated Vietnam War and Desert Storm veteran plus a movie star in “Top Gun” and several other films.

My greatest regret is she did not get to live on in retirement to serve again honoring the men who sailed on her, those who flew off her and never returned and those who died on her decks. In her new role, Ranger would have been a memorial to all women and men who served in all branches of the Armed Forces, active, reserve and guard.

So I want to thank all the Ranger veterans, all our veteran helpers, Team Ranger staff, volunteers and citizens who worked hard and fought to save the great Gray Lady. We didn’t give up the ship, but we lost her anyway. I had the honor and pleasure to go aboard Ranger in 2005 and 2012. Since I want to make sure we keep a part of her legacy alive, I posted her final YouTube video I made on Spec Ops Cat’s channel for all who want to see it again.

The video also shows what you can do with a still camera, a Flip video recorder, some paid music, creativity and some practice. You can almost move an aircraft supercarrier. We had a dream and we went after it big time. Will I miss USS Ranger and the vision we had for her? More than you will ever know. Will I give up dreaming big? Never!

My favorite photo I took of the great Gray Lady, USS Ranger, in January 2012. She is truly the "Top Gun of the Pacific."
My favorite photo I took of the great Gray Lady, USS Ranger, in January 2012. She is truly the “Top Gun of the Pacific.”

Get Ready For The Fourth Of July!

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We are heading toward the Fourth of July with amazing speed. Wanted to share one of my favorite memories. Grew up watching The Capital Fourth on PBS in Oregon. In 1990 while in Washington, D.C. with the Air Force Reserve, I got to experience it in person. Amazing!

Every year without fail I watch it on tv, but being in person is a knockout. Watch the reflection on the tidal pools and the river. But of course, my favorite part is the 1812 Overture with the cannons! Makes my little Army heart flutter. In person the finale looks like they are going to launch the Washington Monument into space! Enjoy this clip from one recent Capital Fourth broadcast.

Happy Quirky Friday! Happy Birthday USA and a big thanks to those who serve to keep her free!

Happy 238th Birthday to the Men and Women of the U.S. Army!

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

When I was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado with the 4th Supply and Transport Battalion, back in the Dark Ages, we had the best mess hall on post. Great food. So who better to make the Army’s birthday cake for today’s big celebration than veterans becoming chefs!

Take a look at this video from the “other CIA” and maybe you too can use those G. I. Bill benefits to become a cook. An Army moves on its feet, powered by its stomach, so let’s all eat birthday cake today. Happy Birthday to my fellow Army veterans, Reserve, Guard and Active Duty soldiers.

Happy Quirky Friday!

Taking Time To Remember Those Who Gave All

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We head into the Memorial Day weekend, a time for remembering those who gave the greatest sacrifice so our nation remained free. With respect for the families and friends who have lost so much, please take time to remember our fallen warriors this weekend. Freedom isn’t free.

What Do Mud And Marines Have In Common?

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Been trying to get myself into some kind of shape for this summer that doesn’t resemble a dud spud. Who better to turn to for fitness tips than the U. S. Marines? Seems even when they play, it involves mud and running. I particularly like the different outfits, the tutus rock, and the free shower at the end.

Writers need to have fun, exercise and get some fresh air in our heads, so maybe this is one way. Or a simple trip to the gym works too. Check out how the Marines play in Oahu! Happy Quirky Friday!