Chris Kyle - American Sniper

 

"I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the vets."

Christopher Scott Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas on April 8, 1974.  He was the oldest of two sons, receiving his first firearm from his father, a Sunday school teacher, when he was just eight years old.  He'd often go deer hunting with his father and brother, but it was evident from an early age just who was top shot in the Kyle family.

After high school and a brief career with the rodeo, Kyle decided to serve his country.  He was initially intent on joining the Marines, but as the recruiter had stepped out to lunch that afternoon, he joined the Navy Seals instead.

Kyle's proficiency with firearms landed him on SEAL Team 3, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Today, the Navy credits him with more than 160 confirmed kills.  He was honorably discharged in 2009, and went on to write a best-selling novel, American Sniper, detailing his experiences.  The film was later turned into a motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper in the title role.

While Kyle was heavily involved in the production, he would never see the finished film.  On February 2, 2013, he and friend Chad Littlefield were both shot and killed by Ray Routh, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran, while the three were at a Texas shooting range.  With a history of schizophrenia and mental evaluations, Routh would later claim he killed the two since they were both ignoring him.

On February 11th, a memorial service was conducted at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.  It was followed by a funeral procession the next day, which traveled more than 200 miles to Austin, where Kyle was laid to rest at Texas State Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• You can pick up your copy of American Sniper on Amazon.
  
  
• If you go to pay your respects, watch yourself.  The cemetery is in a very sketchy neighborhood.
  
  
• In 2012, Kyle stopped by Conan O'Brien's TBS talk show to promote the book's release.  You can watch the interview on YouTube.
  
  
• In 2006, Kyle boasted that he had punched out Jesse Ventura after the former made derogatory remarks about the military.  Ventura denied the incident and sued Kyle for defamation, a legal battle that ended with a settlement five years after Kyle's death.  Ventura, dubbing Kyle an "American Liar," received an undisclosed amount from Kyle's estate.
  
  
• A fan of the 1980s GI Joe cartoon series, Kyle dubbed his military vehicles after two of its more famous characters - Duke and Snake Eyes.  Yo Joe!

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

 

Marie Catherine Laveau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 10, 1801, at a time when that future state was still under Spanish rule.  While slavery was still the law, she was born a free woman of color to her unwed mother Marguerite.  The identity of her father has never been conclusively confirmed, but many historians point to a local politician named Charles Laveau.

Today, Laveau is a folk figure known for her practice of the occult.  What is often forgotten is that she was also a shrewd businesswoman.  She owned a beauty parlor, catering to the elite and upper class of society, many of whom felt free to gossip while in her care.  Laveau would later use the information she'd overheard to enhance her reputation as a clairvoyant.  

She became a celebrated voodoo practitioner with three locations throughout the Big Easy.  Like the Miss Cleo commercials that would come two centuries later, Laveau's clients wanted help with their families, their finances, and their love lives.  She was so popular that she was named the third female leader of voodoo in New Orleans, a less-than official office granting her the titles of Queen and Priestess.

Marie Laveau died on June 15, 1881, at the age of 79.  She was entombed in Saint Louis Cemetery #1 just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans, ensuring that she would not return as a zombie.  Legend tells that if you draw three Xs on the tomb and leave an offering, your wish will be granted.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Marie Laveau, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• In 1974, country singer Bobby Bare released his single Marie Laveau, a tribute to the Voodoo Queen.  It was an overnight success, reaching the top spot on the Billboard country chart.  Take a listen on YouTube.
  
  
• A number of documentaries on voodoo and Marie Laveau have been produced over the years, including the History Channel's The Truth of Voodoo Revealed, hosted by Leaonard Nimoy.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Not only is Laveau's grave a tourist attraction in New Orleans, but her house is as well - sort of.  The original structure was torn down in 1903, but today, the house built on its foundation welcomes visitors and their wallets for guided tours.  Interested?  Visit Ghost City Tours for more information.
  
  
• Although a free woman of color herself, Laveau owned many slaves.
  
  
• Vlogger Jacob the Carpetbagger toured the cemetery and Laveau's grave in 2018.  Check out his video on YouTube.
  
  
• While this blogger has visited hundreds of graves throughout the United States, this is the only one that charged an admission fee.  Saint Louis Cemetery is by guided tour only.

Dom DeLuise - Captain Chaos!

 

"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting."

Dom DeLuise is known for many roles, but for my generation, he will always be Captain Chaos, aka Victor Prinzim, from the Cannonball Run movies.  In fact, until I wrote this blog, I had completely forgotten the character's real name.

He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on August 1, 1933.  He later graduated from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a degree in biology, most say to please his father, a garbageman, but Dom had his sights set on Hollywood.

He got his start working in children's television in the New York City area, taking over the role of Tinker the Toymaker on Tinker's Workshop, a role vacated by future Captain Kangaroo star Bob Keeshan. 

From there, he moved on to the New York theatre scene, appearing in a number of off-Broadway productions, including All in Love and Around the World in 80 Days before taking on the Great White Way in such productions as Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

In 1981, Dom was cast with longtime friend Burt Reynolds in the first Cannonball Run movie.  It was a box-office success, which guaranteed the 1984 sequel.  Dom would also appear with Reynolds in several other films as well, including Smokey and the Bandit Part 2 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and an often-forgotten film about suicide called The End (1978).

In 2008, Dom was diagnosed with cancer.  It ultimately took his life just one year later on May 4, 2009, while Dom was sound asleep.  He was 75 years old.

Dom was cremated.  His ashes were laid to rest in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery just outside New York City.

Rest in peace, Captain.

Trivia

• Dom was a prolific author, who released a number of cookbooks (go figure) as well as a series of children's books.  Check out his library on Amazon.
  
  
• Dom was a prolific voice-over artist as well, appearing in such film as All Dogs go to Heaven (1989).  For the VHS release of the film, Dom appeared in a special segment as himself for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend of The Who have recorded a song called After the Fire.  Both versions reference Dom.  Take a listen on YouTube - Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.
  
  
• Dom worked with all three of his sons on a number of TV series, including Stargate SG-1, SeaQuest 2032, and Third Rock From the Sun, as well as the 1979 film Hot Stuff.
  
  
• Dom spoofed The Godfather in two films - Cannonball Run II (1984) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1991).