Staff Sgt. Lee returns from second tour in Middle East

BIRDSPINGS -- What started out to be a March 25 family dinner at Birdsprings Chapter House snowballed into a community event that included Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. and other dignitaries.

The morning began with traditional medicine man Thomas Bia's blessing of Staff Sgt. Lorenzo Lee Sr. Afterwards, a color guard, fellow veterans and George Willie and Bahe Ketchum ,two Navajo Code Talkers, escorted Lee into the building.

Lillian Sam sang the National Anthem before Murphy Tsosie (Korean War veteran), Richard David (Vietnam veteran) and Ben Joe (Vietnam veteran) posted of the colors. Norman Kaye, also a Vietnam veteran gave the invocation.

Melvin Tsosie served as the emcee of the event, and introduced dignitaries from American Legion District 5 (Birdsprings, Tolani Lake and Leupp chapters).

Melvin Riggs serves as the commander for the Birdsprings Chapter Veterans Organization, Jack Redsteer is the commander from Leupp, and Oscar Doctor is the commander from the Tolani Lake DinŽ Organization. Vice Commanders Richard David (Birdsprings), Sr. Vice Commander Bruce Williams and Jr. Vice Commander Murphy Tsosie Jr. (Leupp) were also on hand.

"I think this is a good day to rejoice and share some happiness as a community, as friends and relatives," Riggs said. "I think this is a special occasion. What we are here for is to enjoy ourselves and pass a message to Lorenzo to show appreciation, to show him that we appreciate him, that we welcome him home. I think he put in so many years of his time dedicated to the service of his country. On behalf of his people of the Navajo Nation, it takes a lot of commitment."

Melvin Riggs welcomed Shirley with warm praise.

"It's always honorable to see him in our presence," Riggs said of Shirley. "He is always here--when we need to be rejuvenated. He's always here supporting our chapter and I appreciate him."

Riggs shared that he and Shirley have a long history, beginning at Brigham Young University. Sharing stories of food raids and late-night conversations about home, Riggs entertained the audience as he gently ribbed the president.

George Willie and Bahe Ketchum were honored as Code Talkers.

Emma Jean Willie was honored as the only Gold Star Mother in the audience.

Walter Phelps, Native American Liaison to U.S. Congressman Rick Renzi (R-Ariz. District 1) presented a letter honoring Lee.

"I admire the work that you do and the commitment you have," Phelps said to Lee before reading the letter, which praised Lee and other Navajo warriors for their service to the United States of America, allowing all citizens to live in freedom.

"Today I am proud to honor such a man--Lorenzo Lee--for his bravery through two tours of duty. He, like others, has advanced the cause of freedom.

"As son of an army general, hold those who serve our country in high esteem, and you have earned my deepest respect," Renzi's letter concluded.

Loren Yellowhair, representing the Navajo Veterans Affairs office in Tuba City, welcomed Lee back, saying that his office looked forward to serving him.

Thomas Walker Jr., council delegate for Birdsprings Chapter, welcomed Shirley and the family of Lee back to the community.

"This is like our home, our home for planning and decision making for the benefit of our community members and those around us. Today, on March 25, we celebrate a homecoming reception. We are here to recognize that we are very privileged that we enjoy the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation within the boundaries of the United States of America. We enjoy the benefits of being a citizen, but some of us hold sovereignty very dear--it has a special meaning to us, and we are grateful to have our own self-governance. We have that freedom and that ability."

"With all of my relatives here, my leadership that is represented here, I want to welcome you back to Navajo land," Shirley said. "We just want you to know that we are very appreciative. We are thankful to the Creator and the Deities that we pray to every day that you have returned safely back to our sacred land."

Lee was presented with a plaque from the Navajo Nation, the Warriors Medal of Valor, the Navajo Nation flag and other awards before Lee offered his own words of thanks.

Lee said that the magnitude of the celebration was a complete surprise to him, and that he was honored.

Lee, his wife Marilynn, his mother and father Peterson and Marie Lee and father-in-law Kee Hardy Sr. presented flags and plaques to many people who supported Lee and his family during his deployment. Each flag had been flown aboard a CH-47D Chinook helicopter during active missions. Those honored included Joe and Vikki Shirley, the Tolani Lake DinŽ Veterans organization, the Wheyoldaashii Veterans organization, the Native American Vietnam Veterans Organization of Tuba City, Anthony and Lavonne Harvey, Maggie Smith, Mark and Irene Wilson, Ilene Hardy, Randy and Lucille Jones, Buckaroos Rodeo from Pine Springs, Frankie and Gloria Lee, Harrison and Lola J. Habahe, Cyrus and Gloria Ketchum, Thomas and Betty Bia and George and Emma Jean Willie.

Following a slideshow prepared by Company D, 113th Aviation "Mustangs," family members and guests were served a delicious meal.

Company D, 113th Aviation, a premier Nevada National Guard unit is headquartered in Reno, Nev. Ordered to active duty in January 2005, Company D deployed 247 citizen soldiers from Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

While in Afghanistan, Company D was assigned to Task Force Storm covering the southern portion of the country. Task Force Storm was composed of various types of Army Aviation helicopters including CH-47 Chinooks, UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches.

The men and women of the unit were engaged in direct combat as they supported logistical and maneuver operations while based in Kandahar.

Lee also served a term in Kosovo from 2001-02.

He said that he is enjoying his 24-day leave, but has five more years to complete his 20-year career--and a retirement that he looks forward to.