NTUA receives simple “Thanks” for Military Care Packages
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. – The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Human Resources Division continues to receive thank-you notes from military personnel who received 2007 NTUA Military Holiday Care packages.
Just before Christmas last year, employees of the Human Resources (HR) Division carefully packed 30 packages of donated non-perishable items to send to military personnel stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas duty stations.
The latest thank-you note comes from Iraq from Sgt. Jacob Bekis, who is originally from Fort Defiance. Sgt. Bekis, who is on his third military tour, wrote to NTUA via e-mail, thanking employees for the gift package that he received.
“I take this time to thank you all for putting in the effort to make myself and all my other soldier/sailor/Marine, and Airmen brothers and sisters feel special this holiday season,” Sgt. Bekis wrote in his e-mail to NTUA.
The HR Division also recently received a thank-you letter from Sgt. Ionna Peterman, who is stationed in Bamberg, Germany and Vicenza, Italy.
“I would like to thank you for all of the support that you and the various sponsors have given the troops. It is greatly appreciated,” Sgt. Peterman wrote. “Your support is what keeps us going on the front lines.”
The holiday care packages, 11x16 standard, were stuffed with music CD’s, microwave popcorn, candy bars, crackers, personal hygiene items, sunflower seeds, and the latest issues of the Navajo Times, which were donated by the Navajo Times.
The packages also included more than 50 personal letters and Holiday Greeting cards from students of the St. Michael’s Mission School and the Window Rock Unified School District.
“Thank you all for the box of joy. Everything in the holiday box went to good use. The Navajo Times helped take a couple hours out of the day by reading it. The sugar from the candy kept me awake in the "wee" hours of the morning pulling route security. The rest of the snacks kept my belly full,” Sgt. Bekis wrote. “One thing in particular touched my heart - all the letters and school made cards from the local schools. One card in particular stuck in my mind, it said, "to a Hero I have never met". That will always be in my mind whenever the holiday season comes around.”
Some of the student letters were written in the Navajo language. The students are enrolled in the Navajo Immersion program.
“I really liked the letters that were written in the Navajo language. It has been a while since I have heard or seen the language; however, I cannot speak much of it,” Sgt. Peterman wrote. “I showed the letters to a friend in one of our other battalions. He (originally from Ganado, Arizona) also enjoyed the letters and reading the Navajo Times.”
Other donators were Big Lots of Gallup, Enchanted Therapy, Navajo Tractor and private individuals, including Comedy Duo James and Ernie who contributed 30 of their newest DVD production.
"I'm very proud of the Human Resources Division employees for their voluntary efforts to make a difference for our men and women serving away from home during this war time. I'm also thankful for all the contributors to the care packages, and especially the greeting cards from school children,” said NTUA HR Division Manager Paul Bemore. “We have pledged to continue this campaign every year, until they all come home!"
NTUA Sends Care Packages
By Debra Thomas
Human Resources Division
The Human Resources Division continues to receive expressions of appreciation from the recipients of the US Military Care Packages that were mailed in December 2007.
Sgt. Andrew Deskins, and his wife Corrina Yazzie-Deskins, who is also in the military, surprised the HR Division by stopping by the Division Staff meeting to personally thank everyone for the extra special holiday package. Mr. Deskins is stationed in Tacoma, Washington, and did get time with his family during the Christmas holiday.
“It’s not often that we are given the chance to say ‘thank-you’ and how much it meant to us to receive a care package,” he told the HR Division. “I wanted to see the faces of those who put this together and say how much I appreciate what you have done for us who are so far away from home.”
Sgt. Elbert Jumbo also thanked all for their support saying, “It was a pleasant surprise.” He was out in the field for several days and received the package upon returning to the base. He was especially thankful for the letters from the children. Mr. Jumbo is stationed in South Korea and was not able to be home with family for the holidays.
We are happy to announce that all 31 recipients were mailed a care package with food items, personal care items, Navajo Times Newspaper, Christmas CD, James and Ernie DVD and best of all, letters written to the soldiers from area schools. These letters added an extra special touch, especially those written in the Navajo language by students from the Immersion School in Ft. Defiance. Various businesses showed their support by donating goods, CD’s and even native jewelry.
Many praised NTUA for our efforts, including the Navajo Times, who printed our letter dedicated to our troops in the November 29 issue. This paper was included in our care packages and will be read by each recipient who will, without a doubt, remember the employees of NTUA during the holiday season and know that, although they are away from home, they are remembered, appreciated and in our prayers. This goes to show how a small company can spread holiday cheer from the Navajo Reservation to our countrymen and women stationed stateside and overseas in places such as Hawaii, Japan and Iraq.
On behalf of the Military Care Package Committee, thank you NTUA employees your support in touching the lives of our military brothers and sisters. We have exceeded our purpose by touching the lives of others, one person at a time, coast to coast, continent to continent....Until They All Come Home.