Book Description - Chummy’s Spirit tells the inspirational story of Cordelia “Chummy” Johnson, who learns that the remains of her son, James, have been found in Vietnam 32 years after he was reported missing in action. Chummy has never left Louisiana, but is determined to visit the site where her son’s remains were located. This long-awaited revelation also encourages her to finally inquire about the sketchy details surrounding the death of her husband, who was murdered in a New Orleans brothel ten years after James’ disappearance.

Despite Chummy’s amazing faith and extraordinary psychological resources, and the support of both her church community and other women who have experienced their own tragic losses, her hopes of visiting Vietnam are constantly challenged by her violent, drug-infested New Orleans neighborhood and non-supportive nephew, Bryan, who believes she’s an unrealistic old lady.

Bryan reluctantly travels with Chummy to Vietnam. There, Mr. Bao Tin, a mysterious, ex-North Vietnamese Army officer, escorts them to Cu Chi, Tay Ninh and Nha Trang, Vietnam. In addition to seeing where James’ remains were found, Chummy and Bryan meet the Vietnamese woman that James had planned to marry.

web: http://www.chummysspirit.com

About the Author

Hal Clark, host and producer of WYLD-FM’s Sunday Journal, believes the airwaves are sacred, and are to be used to inform, uplift and educate the masses. He has enhanced Sunday Journal’s outreach by inviting a diverse roster of both local and national guests to discuss various issues which affect the African American community.

Hal uses the program to promote his personal platforms of literacy, homeownership, health and fitness, AIDS prevention and the rebuilding of New Orleans. Sunday Journal airs live in New Orleans from 7 AM to 9 AM.

Sunday Journal has a monthly housing segment with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans to encourage as many people as possible to become homeowners by demystifying the home buying process. There’s a monthly health and fitness segment with certified personal fitness practitioner Diana Beasley, who regularly works with fitness guru Donna Richardson, Grammy Award-winning singer Patti LaBelle, Louisiana State Senator Paulette Irons and others, designed to encourage listeners to workout and eat right. Authors such as Ernest J. Gaines, Iyanla Vanzant, Dennis Kimbro, E. Lynn Harris, Les Brown and many others appear regularly to share the joy of reading and inspire listeners to live their best lives.

Hal has worked as an announcer and program director at several other radio stations in New Orleans, Cincinnati, Ohio and San Diego, California, where he also hosted a music video show. He also serves Southern University at New Orleans as director of public relations.

As a public relations consultant, Hal has worked with State Farm Insurance Companies, ESSENCE, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, T.D. Jakes Ministries, Dillard University and Coca-Cola. He was born in New Orleans grew up in both Algiers and Marrero, Louisiana. He earned a B.A. in Radio/TV Arts from Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana) and an M.S. from Western Illinois University (Macomb, Illinois).