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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2004)
JANUARY 15, 2004 SMOKE SIGNALS kES3 J3ZKQS Dear Editor, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the people who took the time to send me flowers and good wishes recently. I'm doing better and feeling good. Gene LaBonte Roll 348 Dear Ron, I have never complimented a reporter for an article they have written, let alone written a compliment letter. I read your article (Smoke Signals, "Warrior Interrupted," 12152003 issue) and was moved by it. I found it was objectively written but very compassionate. Congratulations on such a fine piece of writing. Tom O'Brien Polk County Sheriffs Deputy Dear Smoke Signals, My name is SGT Athena Cook of the 324th Military Police Battalion which I have been serving with since February 2003. We are currently deployed in Iraq. As a medic I do what I can to keep us safe and unharmed. Sometimes it does not always work, but I try. I would like to know if you would place an ad in the Smoke Signals for my family I left behind in Maryland and Kansas. I want "I serve in the Army so that one day my chil dren will not have to." Athena Cook them to know that I'm alright and that I miss them every second of every day. I hope someday soon I will be back in their loving arms. I have married a wonder ful man, Jeremy, who sends me the Smoke Signals when he can. I love reading about the lives of the Tribe. Also, let my loved ones know that they are every thing to me. They have all given me their love, trust and respect all of my life. Thank you. Without their support I do not know if I would have made it this far. I also left behind two very important parts of my life, my children. Cheyenne is 7 years old and Michael is 1 year old. Some days are better that other days when I think of what I have missed in their lives. I serve in the Army so that one day my children will not have to. I want to give them the freedom to choose their life path. One day they may understand the sacrifice that I had to make for their freedom. And yes, I do believe that about everything. I believe in freedom. SGT Athena Cook 324th MP BN Roll 4829 Dear Smoke Signals, News from Tikret, Iraq! Hello my family in Chehalis, Washington, my wife Debbie, sons Matt, Alan and my daughter Jennifer. I love you. To the rest of my abundant family members, you know who you are. I am a Stryker Technician with the Stryker Bergade stationed in the area of Tikret, Iraq. I'll be home in about a year, hopefully sooner. Love you all God Bless! John Young Roll 2569 (Mother, Betsy Schaefer (LaBonte) Astoria, Oregon; Grandmother, Ester LaBonte, at peace with God, laid to rest at the Grand Ronde Cemetery.) Dear Smoke Signals, My heart was beating with an enthusiastic pace as the day arrived for the hand drum class at the Vocational Rehabilitation Portland Area Office, (PAO). I give thanks to Joanne Carr and Bobby Mercier for their dedication to spend all day with the local Tribal members on May 22, 2003. I also thank the Education and Culture Departments for the dedication and funding to the Tribal members in the Portland area so that they feel do not feel left out of their arrival; we all were. Bobby was very instructive in his way in presenting the process and we all pitched in to eagerly listen, learn and begin. It was a day that built community among Portland Tribal members. Every one was in agreement that it was going to be a special day and something special was going to be achieved. That special item was an Indian hand drum. The emotions ranged from the soaking tanks to setting up the tables and tools. Ev eryone set aside their differences and became one Tribe for one goal. The process of making a drum took patience and skill. Bobby was only one person, but it seemed that he was pulled into 20 persons once the drum was taking on a life of itself. The excitement became overwhelming and the atmo sphere became filled with anticipation to see the finished product. I commend Bobby for his patience and assistance with everyone. My finished drum has become an important part of my heritage and culture now. I have already used it in ceremonies and have even had a chance to drum and sing with Bobby on a cultural trip to the top of Spirit Mountain. I have taken it to a Native Christian conference and have sung one of the songs that was taught to the VR group by Tony Johnson. It has inspired me to want to learn more and teach my children the importance of the drum and the songs that come with it. I will one day make a drum with my boys, so that they will have their own and one day they will make a drum with their children and pass on the songs they have learned. With respect, Jon A. George Roll 1631 mi Mtiiii nr rm 1 i ii'n -' rf .,...., j otto rra?rTwrag PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org fttfl BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOREDITOR 503-879-2321 brent.merrlllgrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS GRAPHIC DESIGNER 503-879-2190 (ustIn.phllllpsgrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSJJEDAIE Tues., Jan. 20 FEB.1 Thurs., Feb. 5 FEB. 15 Fri., Feb. 20 MAR. 1 Fri., Mar. 5 MAR. 15 Frl., Mar. 19 APR. 1 Mon.,Apr. 5 APR. 15 Mon., Apr. 19 MAY. 1 Wed., May. 5 MAY. 15 Frl., May. 21 JUN. 1 Frl.,Jun.4 JUN. 15 Frl.,Jun.18 JUL. 1 Fri., Jul. 2 JUL. 15 Mon., Jul. 19 AUai Thurs., Aug. 5 AUG 15 Frl., Aug. 20 SEP. 1 Frl., Sep. 3 SEP. 15 Frl., Sep. 17 OCT. 1 Tues., Oct. 5 OCT. 15 Wed., Oct. 20 NOV. 1 Fri., Nov. 5 NOV. 15 Wed., Nov. 17 DEC.1 Fri., Dec. 3 DEC. 15 Thurs., Dec. 16 JAN. 1,2005 A. " V, i 1 . V RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kaaengrandronde.org TOBYMCCLARY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT I 503-879-1358 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org SANDY BOBB SECRETARY 503-879-1453 sandra.bobbgrandronde.org PETATINDA FREELANCE JOURNALIST 503-879-1416 peta.tlndagrandronde.org SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-521 1 shelly.kentgrandronde.org SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Commu nity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission. Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or email address must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not be published unless requested. 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