The salute to our Red Hot Mama veterans continues

As a little girl watching RHM rehearse in the high school parking lot, Debbie told her mom, "When I am old enough I want to be one of those silly ladies having fun."

Even as she said it, she thought her shyness would keep her from it, but military service brought her out of shyness to the point of following through on her childhood wishes.

As life had it, she did get old enough. When creative director Vicky Jo Carey brought a RHM audition poster into Debbie's business, Debbie set about making it her business to become a member.

Life had given her the business a few times. She survived skin cancer, a divorce after 22 years of marriage, and the passing of her precious grandmother from Alzheimer's disease. She had to watch her fun, spirited, loving, caring grandma become someone who didn't recognize her own family.

As a single mom, Debbie is the caregiver for her mentally challenged aunt. They live together in the love of grandma's home. Debbie's family and amazing friends have always been there for her.

Debbie advises, "If you think you can, you can. If you want to do it, just do it, don't let anything stop you. If you want to go, then go."

Sergeant, U.S. Army 1988 to 1998

Rewards: Learning to grow up and how to fight to help save our country. Proud to have served.

Challenges: Being away from family. She told her dad there were more than 200 girls at boot camp so they would not miss her if he came and got her. He said no. She stayed.

Family's view: Shocked, surprised, scared and proud.

Public reception: She was treated very well by all and welcomed home, but her Vietnam-era dad was not. People spit and threw rocks at him.

Veteran Dad: Frank Mason, U.S. Army, Deployed Vietnam

Veteran Brother: Danny Mason, 20 Years U.S. Navy, Deployed Iraq and others.

Veteran Former Husband: Darren Hummel, U.S. Army

• Red Hot Mama Veteran, Debbie Hummel

Age: 45

Divorced, 1 son

Cosmetology education and instructor training,

Cosmetology school owner and instructor,

Idaho Board of Cosmetology Chairman

Red Hot Mama: 9 months

Enjoyments: Time with son, family and friends. Fresh air. Riding her quad. Cake decorating. Dolphins and nautical stuff. Bodies of water. Blue. The movie "Grease." John Travolta. Sarah Palin books. Country Music. Thinking and not thinking.

Highlight of her life: Having her son.

RHM Besties: Amazed to be a RHM. Being with her BFF in RHM. Roar of the crowd. 51 new friends.

RHM Tuffies: Giving up family time. Getting 50 grown women to be quiet and listen to direction. Really ladies. LOL

Those fun-loving, zany Red Hot Mamas have many military connections. Some are veterans themselves, while others come from families with a history of service to our country.

As Veterans Day approaches on Tuesday, a few of the Mamas have agreed to share their military information in hopes of relating to and encouraging service members and civilians as Veterans Day approaches.

They all agree: Find a Veteran to thank!

• Editor's note: We will publish more of the Red Hot Mamas' veterans stories over the next few days leading up to Veterans Day. The Red Hot Mamas is a Coeur d'Alene-based performance group which appears at parades and other events in North Idaho and beyond. They will be in New York City to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.