Honor & Country
Veterans praised at Gallup events

Duane Medicinecrow gets a kiss from his granddaughter Triphina Ben during a Veteran's Day service at the Courthouse Square on Sunday. About 35 people came out to show their support for veterans. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — Area veterans were honored with a program and musical tribute at Gallup High School on Veterans Day.

Nearly 200 people showed up to the Kenneth Hollaway Performing Arts Center Sunday, where the Red Rock Brass Quintet played several musical selections and the Gallup High School Concert Choir sang “God Bless America,” “American Pride,” and the New Mexico state song

Navajo Code Talker Frank T. Thompson said, “It’s an honor to have something like this for the veterans because we lay down our life when we all went in.”

Thompson, who served with the 2nd Marine Division and helped to develop the code, received a standing ovation when he was recognized during the program by Miss Eastern Navajo Yolanda Charley.

“Because of great individuals like him, we Americans are free to do what we want,” she said.

Charley expressed appreciation for all veterans and for the men and women who are now serving. She also sang “She’s My Hero,” in memory of Lori Piestewa, the first Native American women killed in service of the U.S. military.

Joshua Spencer recited “In Memory of Departed Comrades.” Patrick Moore sang “The House I Live In,” which he said expresses the way he feels about this country.

Even the Rev. Layloni Drake of the First United Methodist Church brought singing into her remarks. Recalling her childhood with a father who served in the U.S. Air Force, she sang the songs that he taught his children to sing.

Drake, who followed in her father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Air Force, said that there are certain lessons that a person learns while serving in the military.

The first, she said, is that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they bond together.”

She also said that people in service learn how to make friends quickly because of the shared bond. She recalled how her father had a notebook full of the names and phone numbers of friends he made while he was serving.

The other lesson Drake mentioned is that “sacrifice for the greater good has value.” She spoke of her nephew, also in the U.S. Air Force, who is serving in Iraq.

“He does this because he believes it’s for the greater good,” she said.

Closing remarks were given by Mike Butkovich, principal of Gallup High School followed by a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps.”

Ross Herbert, a veteran of the Korean War, appreciated the ceremony.

“I think it’s good,” he said. “At least they remember us.”
Herbert served in the U.S. Army with the 1st Calvary Division from 1951 to 1953.

Jessica Livingston, a senior at Gallup High School, participated with JROTC activities throughout the day. The GHS JROTC posted the colors during the program. Earlier in the day, the members had presented the flags at the Red Rock chapter house for a flag folding ceremony.

“I’m glad to see there’s a lot of people here to support our veterans,” she said. Livingston has attended the GHS Veterans Day program for the past three years.

“We need to give more support for our troops who are overseas and in Iraq,” she said.

Livingston said she plans to join the U.S. Army.

Other Veterans Day activities were taking place in communities all over the local area including celebrations at Mexican Springs Chapter House, Houck Chapter House, and Tse Da Kaan Chapter House, a parade in Piñon and a song and dance and powwow in Chinle. The city of Gallup dedicated the veterans mural at the McKinley County Courthouse Square Sunday morning.

Today the Navajo Nation Honor Riders will be holding a memorial honor run for the late U.S. Army Master Sgt. Marilene Begay of Steamboat. The motorcycle riders will leave Navajo Nation Veterans Park in Window Rock at 9 a.m. and arrive at the Steamboat chapter at 10 a.m.