Guest Column: Legislative branch to send care packages to military personnel

Posted by Navajo Times | Nov 5, 2015 | Guest Essay |

By LoRenzo Bates
Navajo Nation Council Speaker
Special to the Times

In support of our brave Navajo men and women serving abroad in the Armed Services, the Navajo Nation Legislative Branch will be sending care packages to our warriors who are not able to be with their families during this holiday season.

We ask for your assistance by providing us with a mailing address for your loved one(s) who are currently serving in the military in foreign countries. Please contact the Office of the Legislative Services at 928-871-7254 or send an email to seymoursmith@navajo-nsn.gov to provide the person’s name and mailing address. Please provide the information no later than Monday, Nov. 9 to ensure that the packages are received on time.

On Nov. 11, the Navajo Nation and the entire country will celebrate Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who have made the tremendous sacrifice to serve and protect our way of life, as well as this great country.

For our people, it is quite common to have many relatives who serve in the Armed Forces around the world. Each of us has mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters that sacrifice time with their loved ones to defend our Nation.

Many of our sons and daughters continue to serve our people proudly in the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, and we are deeply grateful for their service. In fact, Native Americans serve in the Armed Forces in much greater numbers than any other ethnic group in the country — a testament to the longstanding strength and honor of our people.

For Diné Citizens, we pay tribute and honor our Diné warriors in many ways including through the power of prayer. We ask for the Creator’s guidance and protection for our men and women serving in the military and for their safe return home to our great Nation. We pray that they prosper upon their return home to continue to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

On behalf of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our Diné warriors and I ask for your assistance in supporting this effort to help our Navajo military men and women.