(An Open THANK YOU Note from Trooper Jeff Cunningham) I want to thank everyone for the prayers, visits, calls, concern and support that has been given to me and my family during this time. It’s been five weeks since my accident, and I am continuing on the long road to recovery from the injuries I sustained. The support I have received from my fellow troopers - my second family - has made my recovery efforts less stressful, as I was comfortable knowing that my family was being provided for and taken care of from day-to-day. My friends and family were amazed at the awesome amount of support that I have received from troopers and other first responders from all over the state. It was difficult to explain to non-trooper families the level of commitment, the loyalty and camaraderie of the “Red Legs.” It did not have to be explained, because it was just shown. We know that three things are going to happen when a trooper is called: (1) they are going to come; (2) they are going to come fast; and (3) things are going to change when they get there. All three happened with me, and I cannot tell you how much I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR IT. After a month in the hospital, I am finally home and working on out-patient rehab. I am recovering very quickly and hope to be back at work soon. (Tell Ralph Smith about two weeks!)

Sincerely,

Jeff Cunningham, F-46

Well, you’ve been asking for them… photos from our Coast convention! Please use caution as you view the photos. Here’s what you do: click on the “photo album” tab in the box below. Then on the right-hand side you should see the Read More . . .

You never know where Lt. Ralph Smith will pop up. Could be that he pops up in YOUR next photograph. Could be that he pops up at a regional motorcycle competition in some other state. Could be that he pops up at a national K9 competition. Could be that he pops up at a TCAP drug search. Could be that he pops up at a prison riot somewhere. Could be that he pops up in Washington, D.C. at the national fallen officers memorial. Could be that he pops up at a benefit for one of his guys. He has a tremendous amount of responsibility in coordinating the motorcycles, TCAP, K9’s, and the SOG team. Next time you see Ralph, be sure to ask him what happens to that darn rattlesnake under a bush hog… Or you can ask him how to bury a bunch of chickens in a coop when the power fails…(beware, this one’s a very animated story)! If it’s true that a picture paints a thousand words, then you haven’t “talked” to Ralph Smith lately!!! Could be that he just pops up where you least expect him - when you least expect him! You see, Ralph Smith is one of those guys who just seems to be everywhere. So the next time you take a photograph, look very closely… Lt. Ralph Smith might be hidden somewhere in your picture, too!

Annie Corbin, daughter of Lynn and Freddie (F-41) Corbin, was recently elected State Treasurer for the Future Business Leaders of America organization at the State FBLA Conference in Jackson. She and the officer team and other delegates from Mississippi recently attended the National FBLA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, they attended officer training workshops and leadership seminars. She will be serving as the Future Business Leaders of America’s Treasurer for the 2008-2009 school year. Annie attends Booneville High School and will be a junior this fall. She is also a member of FFA, FCA, National Honor Society, Anchor Club, Annual Staff and participates on the tennis team at her high school. Annie, we are very proud of your election as FBLA’s State Treasurer. Who knows . . . one day we’ll wake up and see that Annie Corbin is Mississippi’s second woman State Treasurer! On behalf of the MSTA Board and the entire trooper family - CONGRATULATIONS Annie on such an outstanding achievement!