‘We need to say thank you’

Posted by Stacy Thacker | Jan 22, 2015 | News |

Welcome home celebration starts healing process for family

Katherine Dahozy Arviso hugs her son Sgt. 1st Class Oliver Arviso during a welcome home celebration in Fort Defiance on Saturday, Jan. 17. Oliver served 24 years in the Army Reserves and signed up for six more years. He completed four tours, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. (Times photo-Stacy Thacker)

FORT DEFIANCE

The band went silent as the roar of motorcycles neared the Fort Defiance Chapter House.

Family, friends, veterans and community members waved their flags and cheered as the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders brought home a soldier.

Sgt. 1st Class Oliver Arviso served 24 years in the Army Reserves and on Veterans Day, he signed up for six more years. At the age of 41, Oliver has seen four deployments. In 2003 and in 2005 he served in Iraqi Freedom and in 2010 and 2014 he served in Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Oliver was awarded the Bronze Star during his most recent deployment in Afghanistan. The award was based on him receiving the rank of 1st Sgt., which put him two ranks higher than Sgt. 1st Class at the time of deployment, it was also based on the number of personnel under him as well as the jobs they completed.

Welcoming home her son home meant that Katherine Dahozy Arviso had her family back together.