Vets recognized at Defiance celebration

By Sararesa Begay
Diné Bureau

Benjamin Murphy recently received a high school diploma from the Arizona Veterans' Honorary organization. [Courtesy Photo]

WINDOW ROCK — When World War II veteran Benjamin Murphy of Querino Canyon, Ariz., was drafted into the Army, he was 17-years old.

His tour of duty enabled him to go to the Philippines, and work as a mechanic among other duties, said his eldest child, Virginia "Vergee" Barkley.

Today, the Navajo man is 82-years-old, and recently achieved a life accomplishment that many others may take for granted he graduated from Valley High School in Sanders, Ariz, last May.

He received a high school diploma from the Arizona Veterans' Honorary organization.

Barkley said that her dad is pleased to bring closure to his high school education, and is even more "happy to be a veteran and to be among the veterans."

"He saved many lives during the war on one of the ships," Barkley said. "All the stuff he went through with his comrades, he survived. His friends drowned and got killed in action."

Barkley added that it traumatized her father.

Murphy, a father of nine children, celebrated this previous Veterans' Day in high spirits by attending the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Veterans' Day Celebration with his daughter, Barkley, a FDIH Radiology Supervisor.

"I'm glad to have my dad as a veteran," Barkley said. "I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but I was unable to."

Dr. Franklin Freeland, the CEO of the FDIHS, said there are about 90 FDIHS staff members who are veterans or have strong family military connections. Freeland and his staff awarded certificates of appreciation to the veterans.

Dr. Freeland, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, said he believes the hospital's veterans' recognition event helps veterans heal internally through sharing their life stories with each other.

1st Lt. Rodney Gorman who served 18 years in the Air Force as an FDIHS ICU Nurse said he wants to veterans to be recognized and appreciated so that "you can enrich us, especially the young people with your stories."

Gorman recognized a few of his work colleagues who served on the armed services or have a family member who served.

"All these people have an impact on the defense services," Gorman said. "That touches my heart. Each of you are ready to do your job with pride. I did the best I can, and that's good enough. God Bless, you, veterans of the past, present and future."

Sararesa Begay can be reached at venisondine@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.