SMOKE SIGNALS. From the Flight Deck

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1 From the Flight Deck SMOKE SIGNALS Publisher YAKAMA WARRIORS ASSOCIATION Volume No XXXXI Issue No 41 Date: THE USS MIDWAY with Vic wearing the red jacket Sharing his words of wisdom Just a few words, Our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day gathering was a huge success. I want to thank the committee for all their hard work. The flag delivery with the civil war re-enactors was a nice touch. We had 150 chairs set up most were full with many people standing. I would guess we had probably 200 or more people in attendance. Did not see any tv cameras, but the Yakima Herald was there. We are at a standstill with the building project, waiting for action from tribal government at this writing. I m confident that momentum will pick up soon. Our D.C. committee has been working very hard making sure that all is in place for the journey in May. Fund raisers and meetings are burning up a lot of time for these people. I just want to say Thank You to all our members that are active on committees and /or details. Our Association is so blessed to have so many that really care and offer their precious time to make our activities so successful. Let us keep all our members that are sick or are in need of support at the top of our prayer list. Here is wishing all gentle winds and calm seas. Vic I will sign off for now as I know Rebecca and her gang are waiting for me to get this finished. I must apologize for the delay of this newsletter, but we have been busy with fundraising for the Memorial Day trip to Washington DC for Ceremonies that the Warriors have been scheduled to participate in.

2 So far since the last newsletter, these are the events that the Warriors were involved. February 12 th and 13 th, Bazaar and Sale at the Winter-lodge held by the Warriors. With the help of the weather being somewhat warm, the Warriors still had a good turnout for the Sale. The Warriors were selling stew and chili with fry bread. There were baked items for sale along with other great stuff. Warriors had 2 drawings daily. The winners had their photo taken when given their gifts. The first winner was Dave Crist, he won an embroidered towel set, with Valentine design. There was another drawing on Saturday and the winners also had their picture taken when they received their gifts. One of the winners was our fry bread cook. During the day there was some singing shared from Mrs. Martha Tucker. She sang some songs with Loren playing his trumpet, then little Katie sang her Alvin/Little Chipmunk song. Boy did she do great. Dudley and Karen are doing great with Katie and her brother. Thursdays in February were spent at Old Country Buffet as the Warriors showed off their poster board of upcoming events and the DC trip. Second winner won a basket with teddy bear with lots of cholates and other great stuff.

3 Loren, Joe and Corky posing beside the poster. They also sold tickets and received donations from the patrons. All had fun and enjoyed the company of the staff of Old Country Buffet. Here the Warriors are pictured in their service uniform along with Mona the Manager. Here they are pictured with more staff members March 11, Spaghetti Feed, held at All Tribes Church, in Wapato. Since there were lots of things going on this date, the Warriors did alright with the Spaghetti feed. Thanks to the few Veterans and to all the patrons we had that came to eat and enjoy the company and shared stories. A short meeting was held afterwards of upcoming details. March 24 th, from 5 pm till 8ish. The Old Country Buffet Dinner tickets that were sold for this day had patrons coming in right at 4 pm to enjoy the company with the Warriors that were there. It was great to see couples and children enjoy the activities of the evening. All that went said they would do it again, as they were all stuffed with food.

4 Loren s trumpet was used all evening playing birthday songs and anniversary songs and service songs for all that were there. Here are some pictures of the evening. Starting with Loren playing for his daughter Debbie, her birthday song. An anniversary song to Merle and Martha Tucker being married for fifty five years. Then to the group of young men who volunteer at Old Country Buffet March 25, 3 rd Anniversary of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Ceremony Sarge Hubbard Since the Warriors were instrumental in having the bill passed for the state of Washington, they have been responsible of running this ceremony. It started off with riders on horses leading with the flags and the flags were passed from the horse riders to three veterans that posted the three flags by the monument. The veterans were Vic Wood, Dwayne Drake and Dale Tadewald.

5 Once that was completed the Warriors were marching up from the parking lot. Stan Miller, Chaplin did the opening prayer. The agenda included guest speakers. They were a Navy and Army in-country Vietnam Veterans. Even Senator Norm Johnson was there to share some good words. Military honors were performed by the Yakama Warriors. Bob Ferguson, bugler and John Smith, our drummer. We spoke to one of the veterans. She said it was quite emotional at times to hear the stories that were being shared by the speakers.

6 Diep Miller sponsored a dinner at the St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Yakima. There was a Silent Auction and Karaoke. The Yakama Warriors that were at Sarge Hubbard for the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony. There were lots of veterans at the ceremony. It was not just Yakama Warriors. Some group pictures. Thanks to Flo. March 30. Several Warriors went to Warm Springs for a parade and present colors for their Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans. Here is Stan

7 Miller, Buddy Barron, with Vic Ganuelas and Gil Calac carrying the banner in the parade. Staff Sergeant Hannigan will be driving back to North Carolina to Fort Bragg. This young man joined the Air Force when he turned 19 and then into the Army where he is with 82nd Airborne. This is his first birthday cake since he turned16, a long, long time ago. The veterans that were there to share the birthday cake, and wished him well, as he will be leaving for his third tour of Iraq by the end of this year. We wish him well on his endeavors of being a career man. March 31, Warriors were invited to George Lee s home in White Swan for a BBQ as his son Staff Sergeant Hannigan, was home on leave. It was also his birthday and while the Birthday song was played by Loren, the birthday boy blew out all the candles in no time at all. ************************************************** Condolences going out to the families of: Randell Pritchett, Sunnyside, John J. Mesplie, Toppenish, We have lost them since the last newsletter.

8 Wishing all the Veterans and their families that are suffering health problems Get Well Wishes to all That includes the following Old Warrior- How-lish, Union Gap Tom Redfeldt Selah Clair Johnson SS Ray James - Max Corpuz Terry Piestewa - Loren Corpuz Corky Ambrose - William Chisholm Swede Larson -James Blackie Kiona Mike Schott and Maxine Hamilton The Next or Up-coming Events/details for the Warriors are as follows. Besides these there are always the funerals that come up. Monthly Meetings are held the First Thursday of the Month. May 19 Elders Dinner at Sundome. Warriors to bring in the colors at 8ish am. May 22, Warriors were asked to do the twenty one gun salute at Wixson Park in Selah for the Marine Corps League and Pointman Ministries May 24, About twelve Warriors will be heading to Washington DC for the 148 th Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the parade in DC. May 31 Monday, Warriors details: at 8 am, Sarge 1 pm April 7, at 6 p.m. monthly meeting April 15, Friday Taco Feed at All Tribes Church Time 9 a.m. till 6p.m. April 16 th, Gourd Dancing in Portland April 22 nd, Drawing of items at Agency at 1 p.m. May 1 st, 1 p.m. Fort Simcoe detail May 14, Zillah Parade, be there 10:30 or early if you prefer.