As the nation mourns the loss that occurred a decade ago this date — I’ll head home from my post at the radio station and mourn my own personal loss. You see, today a friend is to be buried in services to be held in private.

I wasn’t invited — but that’s okay.

Instead I’ll go out into my backyard, pull up a chair and drink an ice-tea (or maybe something stronger) to my friend. I’ll say a small prayer for her soul, thanking God for letting me know her friendship and I’ll shed a few tears along the way.

In my head I keep saying, “Your smile, your silly grin, your laughter and your friendship will be sorely missed. And I’ll never look at another cupcake in the same way.”

I’ll see you on the other side of the hill,  Miranda.

The world grew smaller some how as I slept the day away, resting for my overnight shift at the radio station. I didn’t find this out until I got up to get ready for work.

My bride told me she received a telephone call from her sister, Sarah, who lives in Ramona, California. The two ended up talking about the shootings that happened in Carson City at the local IHOP.

That’s when Sarah informed my bride that she knows the brother-in-law of Florrie Donovan-Gunderson. Her next-door neighbor is the brother of Wally Gunderson, Florrie’s husband, who was also shot in the attack.

I understand from various media reports, Wally is continuing to recover.

Evidently Sarah spent part of her day with her neighbor, Randy, as people dropped by his home to offer their condolences. Sarah and her husband have known Randy for over six years.

I couldn’t make this stuff up — even if I tried!

Meanwhile,  the Nevada Army Guard has announced Major Heath Kelly, who was gunned down while eating breakfast, has been elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  On the day of the shooting, another soldier shot and killed, Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege was promoted to Master Sergeant.

Spanish Springs 2011 — Since returning from Afghanistan in April 2010, Christian Riege had settled into his full-time position with the Joint Forces Unit of the Nevada Army National Guard in Carson City. The Nebraska native was one of four people killed when a gunman opened fire at a IHOP in the same city.

After a deployment to Fort Irwin, California in 2004, Christian, 38, thought about voluntarily deploying to Iraq. But at the last-minute decided his four children needed him more at home.

He had already spent 19 years in the military, including two years with the Navy. While Christian was described by friends and fellow Guard members as quiet, he also had a big smile and someone, who while training for combat, could do 2,000 push ups in one day.

Christian was promoted to master sergeant effective September 6, the day the shooting occurred. His body has been flown back to Nebraska at the family’s request.

A note attached to a stuffed bear was left for Christian from his fiancée at a memorial in the parking lot where the unprovoked attack took place reads: “I’m grateful everyday that you are the one who has the key to my heart.”

Got up early yesterday morning so I could take some pictures of the 30th Annual Great Reno Balloon Races. I have often wished there was a way the races could be held later in the day — I’m so not the early morning guy I used to be.

Afterwards, I had an eye-appointment. After more than three-years between visits, I paid over $120 to learn what I already knew — I need new glasses.

Fortunately I went and played photographer before the exam, since  Doctor Tom dilated my eyes. I couldn’t see much of anything once I got outside the building  and into the sunshine.

My friend Kay, told me my pupils were so “blown” I could have been a model for a Precious Moments figurine. But instead of applying for the modeling gig — I went to bed in order to get enough sleep for my midnight shift at the radio station.

Spanish Springs 2011 — Major Heath Kelly, 35, survived the battlegrounds of Iraq – but was one of four killed in the Carson City IHOP by a man on rampage who then took his own life in the parking lot. The highly decorated Nevada Army Guard soldier was married and had two young children.

Between 2004 and 2005, he was in Iraq on active duty with the U.S. Army. While there he served as a border enforcement officer, battalion fire support officer and a 1st Cavalry Division lieutenant.

He then joined the Nevada Guard, becoming Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters in Carson City in August 2010. Heath earned numerous decorations including the Global War on Terrorism Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Kuwait Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign medal.

The Louisiana native leaves behind his wife, Tracie, four-year-old daughter Cassidy and a nine week old son, Triston.  Heath’s family said those who want to honor him can help by supporting the troops through the non-profit, “Soldiers’ Angels.”

Heath’s grandmother Janet Scaruffi adds, “For this kind of pain — there’s no medicine.”

Eleven people were shot during the rampage at a Carson City IHOP when a gunman sprayed bullets around the parking lot and at neighboring businesses. Five people were killed in the attack including U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Miranda McElhiney, 31.

She and fellow Nevada Army Guardsmen were taking part in an off-site meeting, having breakfast when the killer walked to the back of the restaurant and started targeting the soldiers. Miranda initially survived the assault.

She was airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno, where she later died of her wounds.  On Facebook, Nevada Office of Inspector General investigator Paul Hinen wrote that a first responder shared with him what happened while he attended to Miranda following the shooting.

“When they went to load her onto Care Flight, in the midst of the chaos, she looked at the trooper and gave him a thumbs up!” Hinen wrote, “That was just Miranda’s character; ever reassuring and calming to others in her final hours.”

Her death has had a rippling effect throughout the Nevada National guard community, including those no longer serving. Washoe County School District trustee Scott Kelley tells KOLO-TV he first met Miranda when he was assigned to the Stead Armory.

“Miranda was a wonderful person,” Kelley says, “She shouldn’t be remembered as one of the victims in this tragedy — she should be remembered for all the wonderful things she did in this life.”

She was a student at Columbia Southern University, an online university based in Alabama, seeking a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Miranda held several positions while serving the last 13 years in the National Guard including medical, dental and human resources.

Kelley adds, “She’ll be missed.”

Spanish Springs 2011 – As the community of Carson City attempts to come to grips with the multiple shooting deaths at a local IHOP, authorities are still searching for a motive in the homicide case.  So far investigators have had little luck in learning why the gunman open fired on the group of Nevada Army Guard as they ate breakfast.

What is even less clear to police is the shooting death of 67-year-old Florence Donovan Gunderson. Her husband, Wally Gunderson, a retired Marine, who recently underwent back surgery, was also shot in the attack and is expected to survive.

The Associated Press reports Florence, who went by the name Florrie, was active in the Republican Party and prior to retiring she worked in the credit department of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe casino for 10 years. She also liked to cook, bake and knit.

Wally was a security guard at the casino until 1998. He has multiple sclerosis, uses a wheelchair and service-dog and depended on Florrie to get around.

It’s believed the couple was at the IHOP to have breakfast before Wally’s dentist appointment in Carson. So far there has been no word on funeral arrangements.

The group that celebrates the death of American soldiers is confirming they are heading to Carson City to picket during the funerals of soldiers slain during the mass shooting at an IHOP

“Yes, we are planning on being at the National Guard memorial and the funeral home in Carson City,” says Fred Phelps Jr., son of Westboro Baptist Church leader Fred Phelps, Sr., “This is a high-profile, classic example of what’s going on in this country. God is punishing this nation.”

Phelps adds the group plans to send six members to Carson City this weekend to protest during the memorial for both Major Heath Kelly and Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, killed earlier in the week. Westboro has held protests in Reno before, in both 2008 and 2009.

Meanwhile, local and state law enforcement met in preparation of a possible protest. Authorities say the primary concern during any kind of protest, is the safety of the protester and their freedom of speech.

According to the Patriot Guard Northern Nevada Captain Dave Kealey, the wife of Major Kelly and the mother of Sgt. !st Class Miranda McElhiney Army National Guard has requested their presence for both escort duty and flag formation. There will also be a police escort accompanying the procession.

Authorities say the man who opened fire on Nevada Army Guard members at a Carson City restaurant had two guns in addition to the AK-47 he used in the rampage, but he left them in his vehicle. The shooting at the IHOP left five people dead and seven wounded.

The gunman, Eduardo Sencion of Carson City, also shot himself in the head and died at Renown in Reno. Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong says Sencion was born in Mexico and was in the U.S. under a valid U.S. passport.

Furlong also says after the gunman exited the IHOP, he got into a vehicle and drove around in circles, shooting at nearby businesses.  The vehicle, investigators say, is registered to one of Sencion’s brothers.

Sencion is also listed as the registered agent for Mi Pueblo Markets with Gilberto Sencion Gonzalez and Israel Sencion Gonzalez as managing partners. The business has locations in both South Lake Tahoe and Stead.

Initially, Gilberto denied being related to Eduardo, but later admitted to being his brother and having knowledge of the shootings.

“I feel very sorry about what happened,” he told the Reno Gazette-Journal. “I feel very sorry about those people. I’m trying to find out what happened.”

He also said he expected more calls from the press.

“You are going to make a lot of money from this,” he said to reporters, adding, “Pay me a lot of money and I’ll talk to you.”

Meanwhile the motive in the shooting spree remains unclear, but other family members say Sencion had mental issues. Police say Sencion had never been in the military and had no known affiliation with anyone at the restaurant.

Over 300 employees and uniformed military occupy the 80,000-square-foot National Guard complex known as Joint Force HQ. The $8.5 million complex, dedicated to the late state Senator Lawrence Jacobsen of Minden, opened in 2002 at Fairview and South Edmonds drives, about two miles from the IHOP restaurant on South Carson Street.

The state Capitol and Supreme Court buildings were locked down for about 40 minutes, and extra security measures were put in place at state and military buildings in northern Nevada, but the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident. Security measures at area base’s including the Nevada Guard Headquarters in Carson City, NAS Fallon, Stead Training Center and Hawthorne Army Depot were also raised

Governor Brian Sandoval returned to Carson City, having cancelled an appearance in Henderson and was briefed by the Carson City Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Public Safety, his Homeland Security ad visor and the National Guard on the shootings. At the briefing, he was joined by Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell.

Two Nevada Army Guard members remain in serious to critical condition after being shot while having breakfast at IHOP in Carson City.  Authorities say one of the guard members was wounded in the arm so severely doctors thought he was going to lose the limb, however they managed to save it.  The second guardsmen was shot in the foot.

Finally, a candlelight vigil was held for the victims of the shooting.  Hundreds of people gathered around the Fallen Soldiers Memorial in the Capital building complex to honor the four Nevada Army Guardsmen and the civilian gundown as they ate breakfast at the restaurant.  Seven others were injured in the attack.

This is the largest one day loss of Nevada guardsmen since September 2005 when a Chinook helicopter stationed in Stead was shot down killing five guardsmen during combat operations in Afghanistan. So far none of the victims names have been officially released pending notification of next of kin and flags have been ordered to fly at half-staff.

Managing the histories between Native peoples and the settlers is much like walking a tight rope in a gale-force wind. I want to avoid the politics, the right and wrong of the incident and get down to telling the story of what happened.

During  the years, 1851 and 1852, the California Legislature authorized payment of $1.1 million for the “suppression of Indian hostilities.” This revenue came from the gold fields — the high financiers and not the struggling miner.

But this was not enough. In 1853; the Yreka Herald called on the government to provide assistance to “enable the citizens of the north to carry on a war of extermination until the last redskin of these tribes has been killed. Extermination is no longer a question of time – the time has arrived, the work has commenced and let the first man who that (sic) treaty or peace be regarded as a traitor.”

The State Legislature would appropriate money for this activity through 1857, which is about the time when the financing from the gold fields dried up due to a lack of new strikes and claims. So towns started offering bounty hunters cash for every head or scalp obtained — man, woman, or child.

These laws would lead to the deaths of several Tolowa from the Smith River area. However, it’s generally understood that the Tolowa had administered the first blow, which was repulsed by the Army’s superior firepower.

During autumn 1857, troops under the command of Lt. George Crook killed 10 Tolowa and captured more than two dozen others when the Indians refused to stay on a reservation far from their Smith River home. Afterword the lieutenant ordered all Tolowa to return to the reservation.

Indian Agent and U.S. Army Major H. P. Heintzelman agreed with Crook that pursuit of the Indians was necessary. With Tolowa and Chetco Indians in the mountains, and reports the two might fight together against the settlers, Heintzelman wanted them brought to the Wau-Kell Reservation, four and a quarter miles inland along the banks of the Klamath River. 

But Superintendent Thomas J. Henley concluded that the lack of food and dissatisfaction with housing at Wau-Kell had sparked the fight. Furthermore he blamed Heintzelman for the discord claiming he had put the “service before the needs” of the Indians.

In reality though the trouble was being caused by a number of whites living within the Native community who were not only spreading rumors but planning  to murder both Heintzelman and Crook.  As for the Indians they were being told these same white , called “squawmen,” they would continue to be harassed by the Yurok.

Relaying the information about a planned assassination to department headquarters, Henley warned if the Tolowa were allowed to remain on the Smith, these “squawmen,” would cause a war. He also warned that the Tolowa had not laid in a winter’s supply of food, and would either end up stealing or starving.

Higher federal authorities disagreed with Henley and the Tolowa  were allowed to return to Smith River. In the meantime, Crook turned his attention to building a new Army outpost further down river at a places called Ter-Waw Flats.