JUNE 9TH, 10TH, 11TH AND 12TH 2010 DAY THIRTY EIGHT-FORTY ONE

Where to start? This is going to be another four day compilation blog, to include a lot of pictures. I can't break this into days because it is impossible to do so. The past four days have been some of the best in recent memory. I finally made my way to Tibb Armboy, a fellow paratrooper that I spent several years with in a recon unit while serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. Tibb and his absolutely beautiful family live on the Navajo Reservation here in Arizona. I will try and explain Tibb and his family to you as best I can. They come from a proud and dedicated people and they live their lives keeping the memory and honor of their ancestors alive, by living with the same ethics and respect that molded this Nation into the majestic wonderland it is. Tibb was fortunate enough to marry the most beautiful and caring woman on the entire reservation, her name is Marcy. They have three wonderful children, the oldest is Tristen 14, followed by their other son Mackenzie 11 and their beautiful little girl Tatum, who is 9. Tibb knew my Mackenzie since the day she came home from the hospital but never had the chance to see her again after we left Bragg. His family stays true to the customs and culture of the Navajo way of life and he ensures the legacy continues by teaching, training, and mentoring. The customs and ceremonies that have been handed down over the years are still practiced and performed here daily. My first day here with Tibb and the boys was one to remember, we drove across to the homes of Marcy's family. The majority of the reservation is ranch type areas that are occupied by family's, in other words, when you see an area of five to ten homes, they are all of the same family and direct decedents of the same clan. These are called camps and the Navajo family structure is matrileneal, this means that the children are firstly of the mothers clan and secondly of the fathers clan. Marcy's mothers side is the "beaded people" and her fathers is "many goats" and Tibbs mother is of the "salt water" people and his father was of the "big water" people. This first camp we visited had several generations living there. I guess I probably should of described this place first, in order for you to better appreciate it. The Navajo Nation is comprised of wide open desert plains and rolling hills that lead to the most picturesque rock formations, mountains and monuments that you will ever see. The pictures will tell the story better than I ever could. Animals are abundant, as a matter of fact, there are wild horses EVERYWHERE, running free and feeding off of the land. This leads me back to the first day. We were Marcy's family's camp to see their horses, which included two recent wild mustangs that they had caught. We accidently let the two wild horses loose and spent the majority of the day trying to re corral them using the other horses. It was amazing, to be taken back to a place and a time where the most basic tasks were still performed the way they had been for centuries before. The two mustangs proved to be quite formidable foes. The area they had to run was further than the eye could see and they were a sight to see flying and bucking across the gorgeous landscape. Tristen was actually thrown by his horse, while in pursuit, and landed in cactus. The next hour or so was spent removing cactus quills and breaking for lunch. Afterwards we took the kids, to include their cousin Monique, loaded up one of the trucks and drove farther in to the mountains to see where Tibb likes to go rappelling (you can take the Ranger out of the action, but not the action out of the Ranger). He explained to us how the Navajo Reservation is cornered by four mountains that watch over the Rez and its people. We played and talked and stood in awe of the places we saw and enjoyed the moment. Ever since my daughter left us, I have been talking with Tibb about coming out here and making it a part of my and Mackenzie's journey. Tibb thought that it would be a good idea to come out here and perform an ancient and time honored ceremony known as the sweat lodge, or in Navajo language, it is known as Tahchei. We spent the rest of the afternoon driving out to inspect the sweat lodge and prepare for our ceremony that would take place the next day. This particular sweat lodge was built by Tibb and his boys and it was dedicated to Veterans of this land. I met a man there named Herbert Braidhair, also a veteran and to whom the land belongs, where the sweat lodge is built. I cannot speak of the happenings or the ceremony itself, nor would I, if I could. What I can tell you is the basic concept of the ceremony and what is that it is meant to accomplish. The sweat lodge is a structure built into the ground with cedar and completely covered with the earth. Every step of construction and the ceremony itself has a purpose. There is a reason for absolutely everything, down to the construction of the fire pit outside and the heating of the rocks for use inside. The complete darkness and unbearable heat inside, provide the healing power of the rocks. On to the day of the sweat lodge. We arrived early to prep the tahchei and its surrounding area. As we entered onto Mr. Braidhair property, we noticed that he had posted the colors and a monument to fallen Veterans, which included the boots, upside down rifle capped with helmet and a stone type walk way with all wars and conflicts represented on them. It was amazing to say the least, to see this out here, the pictures will once again do more justice to it than I ever could. Upon completion of this and the fire for the rocks, which was about three hours, we executed the ceremony. What else I can tell you is that it consists of four sessions, each more intense than the last. Four is the number in which everything is done by the Navajo people, and I do mean everything. I can tell you that with the exception of Mackenzie leaving me, it was the most emotional and releasing thing that I have ever experienced in my life. I will never forget the honor I feel and the appreciation I have for Tibb allowing me to be a part of this. I wont mention who or what, but understand this was a life changing experience for all involved. I am forever grateful and forever in your debt Tibb. We were also here during a sacred ceremony known as The Enemy Way or Nidaa, which is a ceremony performed for the sick or in this case a Veteran who recently returned from Afghanistan and brought back with him the haunting memories that so many do. It was for Tibbs cousin, which means his family is more or less, the host family. This ceremony is performed by a medicine man, the Veteran and numerous other participants. The Veteran is painted in black, after the ritual is performed he leaves the start point with the family and surrounding community present in support. He is given a stick by a child with a red bandanna attached and mounts his horse and is followed into the wild by some fifty horses and riders. His destination is the house of another Veteran. Upon his arrival, the veterans family hosts the reception of all the people involved, to include the convoy of trucks and horse trailers that follow. There is a bonfire and a dance. The next day he rides to the halfway point on his return. The stick is decorated in yarns along the way. The following day he arrives back at the host family's camp, where they are now responsible for feeding all involved, and two sheep are used in the sacrificial part of the ceremony and prepared for the gift of food. A piece of the enemy's uniform is then used in the ceremony, and the Warrior shoots one shot into the piece of uniform to quiet the nightmares and memories forever. It is a ceremony that lasts for five days, what an experience. I did not take any photos of this because it was not my place to. This is someplace I should probably not have been but Tibb and his family brought us anyways. My description is once again weak but to the best of my ability. The nights here are filled with beating the Pow Wow drum with Tibb in his backyard, while he sings the Navajo songs, handed down by his ancestors and explains them one by one. I can and will post these too. There are many things I have experienced here and I cant write about them all, but know that this has been a eye opening part of my journey and that Tibb and his family and people have made it possible for me to continue with a lighter heart and a new sense of direction. I leave today to continue my journey and I will take with me many things but none more important than the value and friendship and family. Don't wait to reconnect with those special to you, the time lost is time you will never get back, and the joy of reuniting is priceless. Tibbs father was a huge influence in his life, he was a Vietnam Veteran and I am sure walks daily in the spirit world with a smile and a sense of accomplishment as he watches over Tibb and his family. Like Tibb, I lost my father when I was a senior in high school also. Once again, thank you mom and dad for showing us the the beauty of this place so many times when we were young. It is what gave me the intestinal fortitude to brave this part of our journey and recognize all of its beauty. Mackenzie is here and I know this to be true. I only regret that she could not experience the Navajo Tacos that Tibbs family prepared for us. I look forward to the next time.

This part of the blog is dedicated to one of the best men I have ever known, who left to go back home yesterday. It is Kevin Harrell who left to return to his family after being here for me through this difficult leg of my journey. Kevin and I go way back. We served together at Ranger Regiment in Ft. Benning and again in Iraq and Germany. Kevin has been with me in my mind since the last time I saw him, which was too long ago. He is a friend that I reconnected with, left his family and came to my side. He is that person everyone wishes they had. I am proud to know him and prouder to call him my friend. I can say with all certainty, that there is no one like him anywhere. I want to thank him and his family for both their sacrifices that were made on my behalf. He will be waiting for us at the end of this journey and I will walk faster knowing this. I miss you already Sally. I love you and will always be here for you. We were also joined by Kris Jenkins who is still serving and getting ready to redeploy to the Middle East. He came for two days and I will write about him tonight. Thank you brother, I love you and have missed you. Now it is Bryan and I left and I will start that book soon. Thank you all for never leaving a fallen comrade.....more pics this afternoon...

*Mackenzie would never pay attention to the landscape when we were driving, as most children wouldn't. I always tried to say "look at that, isn't it beautiful?" This time I could hear Mackenzie turning my head and I hope she enjoyed this place as much as I did. I miss her more than words can say.