GIMC honors area veterans

Sharon Brokeshoulder performs a sign-language interpretation of 'God Bless the USA' in the lobby of the Gallup Indian Medical Center on Wednesday as part of a veteran's ceremony. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — On Wednesday morning, staff members at Gallup Indian Medical Center expressed their appreciation for employees who are also veterans.

"The life and work we do today is really given by those who have fought," said Floyd Thompson, CEO of GIMC.

Seventy-four employees at the hospital were recognized and honored with a special ceremony, and were awarded Certificates of Appreciation. Of the 74 employees recognized, 11 have served in the past two years with Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The hospital has hosted the event the last ten years to give special recognition to employees who have served in the military.

Thompson said while there may be several days in the year that recognize veterans, hospital staff feels it is important to put aside a special day for its employees.

The event took place on the first floor of the facility, with the presentation and posting of colors carried out by the Rock Springs Veterans Association, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Sharon Brokeshoulder.

Many employees wore their military attire to the event and were accompanied by their families.

Vice President Frank Dayish, Jr. was a keynote speaker at the event, and expressed his gratitude for veterans.

Dayish spoke about the programs that his office has worked on for veterans, and said there is still much to be done. He said that the Department of Veteran Affairs and Indian Health Service must continue working to consolidate the number of Native American veterans who have served.

After speaking briefly, Dayish presented Thompson with a military coin, containing the Navajo Nation seal and the seal of the Office of the Vice President. Dayish presented the coin on behalf of Thompson's late father, who was a Code Talker.

"We need to recognize our veterans," said Bonnie Moss, organizer. "What we did to Vietnam vets is a crime, and we can't let that happen again."

Phil Smith, security supervisor, was one veteran in attendance who was recognized. Smith served in 2003 to 2004 in east Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne, where he patrolled the Pakistan border for insurgents.

Upon returning home, Smith presented the hospital with an American flag that was flown over Afghanistan. Smith requested the flag while on active duty. The flag is framed in the first floor triage area of the hospital.

"I just wanted to do it for the staff and the community," said Smith.

Bradley Henio is the hospital's most recent veteran to return home, and he was recognized at the ceremony.

Henio has been overwhelmed by the welcome that he has received from family, friends, community members, merchants, and local churches. The event is the third recognition event that Henio has attended since he came home two weeks ago. "Thank you to everybody who has welcomed us home since we came back from the airport," he said.

Henio was stationed twice in Iraq, most recently at Tellil Airbase for 13 months with the New Mexico Army National Guard 1116th squadron. Henio has been in the military for 26 years.

Relaxing with friends and family, and eating traditional foods and at fast food joints, as Henio put it, are the best parts about being back home.

Henio, who has been employed the last six years as a telecommunication's technician at the facility, plans to start work again sometime soon, though has until February to return to work. Henio's oldest son Sebastian Henio, 29, also served in Iraq with the 720th squadron, in between the two times his father did.