GREEN SYMBOLIZES NORTH, SPIRIT, WISDOM BUTTERFLY, PUMA ARIZONA <strong>VETERANS</strong> MAGAZINE Healing Through Artistic Expression VETERAN ART EXHIBIT To purchase this art call Jim Covarrubias at 602-579-6308 FLUTE PLAYER — Larry Ashkie IN MEMORIAM: Brett James Lawrence — Jim Covarrubias BUT NOT FORGOTTEN — Clyde Ross Morgan Love Song — Joe Granado WARRIOR’S VISION — Larry Ashkie AIRBORNE — Alfred Aguero PAPA SAN — Jim McHaney Carved Painted Gourd — Octavio Martinez Bull Ride — Pancho Mendoza NUEVE ONCE — Jorge Moreno KACHINAS — Tofe Eslava ENCANTO — Jose Andres Giron TESLA’S LAB — Val Callaway
“CHAPITO” CHAVARRIA: A CENTURY OF LIFE The Music Instrument Museum (MIM) honored "Chapito" Chavarria on his 100th Birthday. He was a band leader in the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. His music Latin Salsa! His bands had thousands ++ dancing to cumbia, cha-cha, boogie-woogie, corridos and all the Latin dance craves of the day. He helped a lot of people fall in love. Young latinos and Latinas dressed to the nines, saved their shekels to party on a Saturday night and meet cute dance partners! All were Hoping for that romantic connection, that cool dude with the pressed suit and trimmed moustache, that suave dancer with the glittering smile who took them out on the polished dance floor and shook it up to the intoxicating rhythms of "Chapito" Chavarria. He didn't perform on this 100th commemoration of his life, but he did share some charming words and warmth from a history spanning 10 decades. He misses his wife Connie and many friends who shared all those beautifully packed dance halls in California, Arizona and a hundred other places. He was a star in a culture of Latin music; a culture of Zoot suiters, low riders, barrios, veterans, G.I. Bill, menudo, La Suegra, Vatos, drive-ins, boot-leggers, American Legions and racism. Chapito grew up in a world within a world, the sub-culture of Mexican- Americanism of the southwest especially Phoenix and Los Angeles. The areas where Chicanos congregated were called "barrios". Each barrio was given a descriptive name which were culturally profound. These barrios have an ancient history spanning back to the 6th century, back to the most important religious complex of ancient America, Teotihuacan, a holy site where different tribes would gather to pray. The tribes would enclose themselves in fortified cities of clay providing a safe refuge for their tribe in the midst of allies and enemies. The same ownership of an area applied in Chapito's world there was "Golden Gate", "Campito","Cuatro Milpas", "Mickey Mouse" and many more colorful names peopled by colorful people who like their barrio were given nicknames. Hence "Chapito" (Shorty), was the tag given lovingly to a pint-sized fireball with the big personality. Many Chicanos in these barrios were veterans. Chapito served in WWII, was a proud Mexican American and expected positive changes in America for their barrios. But upon returning to Phoenix he was faced with racism and "Good Ole Boy" practices. Prior to the war, the Latinos and Blacks in Phoenix lived south of the railroad tracks, attended their own schools, churchs, sat in segregated sections of movie theatres and were denied service in "White Only" establishments and social clubs. So they created their own social hub including the Calderon Ballroon and the Riverside Ballroom. These dancehalls were home to Chapito Chavarria's energetic beats, where beautiful girls and dashing men danced to salsa! Other notable big bands were lead by Pete Bugarin, Little Joe and later by "Gumbi" Salazar. Chapito was there every weekend for over six decades turning to his band and saying, "Orale muchachos, uno, dos, tres...Cumbia!" Documentary Film Producer Paige Martinez is currently in production on a Chapito Chavarria biography for PBS. Happy 100th Anniversary MASERATI A R I Z O N A V E T E R A N S M A G A Z I N E Page 59 Charity Italian Car Show Arizona American Italian Club Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, 10am-3pm 7509 N. 12th St. Phoenix, Arizona www.italiancarshow.com 631-974-2543 by Jim Covarrubias, Arts Editor, ARIZONA <strong>VETERANS</strong> MAGAZINE The Hopi are most likely the direct cultural link to the first permanent agricultural residents of Arizona spanning 2000+ years. Inspired by the city complexes of Mexico, they developed a peaceful communal society with a complex religious system. They continue this small village success to modern times. Other geographical neighbors with more numbers, ie. Phoenix's Pueblo Grande, New Mexico's Chaco Canyon and Colorado's Mesa Verde didn't make it past the major droughts in the 13th Century. All these cultures had an elaborate ceremonial religion, a complex clan code and connections to distant cultures. They became known as the "peaceful ones" and indeed it was their goal to live in harmony. After the Spanish Revolt of the 17th Century they added the more war like Tewas to their villages. The Spanish, besides war, brought new resources, horses, metal tools, sheep, etc., but also attempted to conquer and control the Hopi. After the Civil War the Anglo-Americans invaded and attempted to proseletize, educate and control them. Thru centuries of these exteme external pressures the Hopi have survived and adapted. The 20th Century brought paved roads, tourism and the irresistable lure of the outside world. They slowly and cautiously became part of the modern world. When WWII started, they understood the threat of the AXIS powers to the world. 10 young men from their isolated Hopi world made the difficult decision to go against their peaceful ways and together they volunteered to fight for their new country and the future of the free world. They used their language to confound the enemy and help our soldiers pass coded messages. When the war was over they returned to their villages were ritually cleansed, given new names and resumed their peaceful way of life. These 10 Hopi grew up together, they all went to High School in Kyostmovi which was the only secondary education available at the mesas. The school went up to the 10th grade. 7 of them were Hopi and the other 3 were descendants of the warriors who carried out the revolt against the Spanish. The Tewas culturally were able to join the Armed Forces, but the 7 Hopi had to cross strong cultural blocks to serve. All became brave, honorable soldiers. 3 served with the 5th Air Force (Army Air Corp); Sergeant Rex Pooyouma "Sekyung'yum'tewa" - Corn Clan from Hotevilla Village, Corporal Orville Wadsworth "Dawahoynewa" - Bear Clan, Shungapavi Village and Pvt. 1st Class Percival Navenma "Masahoyiwa" - Tobacco/Rabbit Clan, Mishongnovi Village. 7 were with the 81st Infantry Division; U.S. Army, Pvt. 1st Class Charles T. Lomakema "Tawayawma" - Bear Strap Clan, Shungopavy Village, Pvt. 1st Class Perry Honani "Wupatawa" - Water Clan, Shungopavy Village, PIESTEWA CEREMONY HONORS FALLEN by Jim Covarrubias, Arts Editor Over a decade ago the Iraq War was exacting a terrible toil on our country, troops were lost and the first woman killed in a combat role SPC. Lori Piestewa made international news when her convoy was ambushed and she lost her life. She was an Arizonan, a single mom, a Native-American, a Latina and she became an icon of the poignant grief suffered by families whose sons and daughters fall doing their duty. Five of her fellow troopers were taken captive, tortured and abused and threatened with execution. Their dramatic rescue was played practically real time before our eyes! Much to their chagrin all became the focus of national attention; Jessica Lynch, Shoshana Johnson, Joe Hudson, Patrick Miller and Edgar Hernandez endured this uncomfortable attention. A memorial for Lori was arranged here in Phoenix at Patriot Park, a candle light vigil to honor her and her fellow soldiers who died on that fateful day. Her Uncle Ernesto Martinez oversaw the arrangements and Mary Jo West, the first woman news anchor in Arizona graciously managed the program. Among the attendees were Lori's fellow soldiers. For them is was especially difficult to share their grief with strangers as many of these strangers felt compelled to share these trying grievings. I was one of those strangers and I asked Ernesto if I could accompany my friend, musician Keith Secola while he sang. I painted while Keith sang. Somehow it felt appropriate to paint an allegory of Lori's culture. When the entertainment was over we were given candles. We all stood there in the center of Phoenix holding a light, a light that beaconed to all Americans, "we will not forget your sacrifice, we will never forget". It felt right and comforting to share our grief and strangers became family. Now, after a decade of ceremonies, we continue to grieve and honor other soldiers who have fallen for freedom. We continue to share with the grieving of families, for Mother's who have sadly earned the Gold Star status. Some families return year after year to offer solace and love to new grieving Mothers and families suffering the loss of a son or daughter, though some choose to avoid the public trauma altogether, I am now a committee member, the artist who shares his art. I paint live at the annual dinner and we raffle off my painting. This year a Gold Star Mother won the painting. She was there for her first time and she thanked me saying," I don't know how to thank you...this means so much". Tears welled up in her eyes and she couldn't continue. This is why the Piestewa family and committee do this every year. Our Gold Star family sadly grows and these new grieving families struggle to cope and understand their children's sacrifice. We will be there for them, like the first year holding a light of love, of freedom. The Tony F. Soza-Ray Martinez Post 41 and Piestewa Memorial Committee will host the Fallen Heroes Benefit Fundraiser, 6-12 PM on October 17th. Post 41 is located at 715 South 2nd Avenue across from Grant Park. To help, please send donations to: Piestewa Memorial Committee, c/o Ernest Martinez, 1932 E. Lamar Road., Phoenix, 602-312-8663. SEE JIM COVARRUBIAS PAINT LIVE Piestewa Fallen Heroes Benefit Dance American Legion Post 41 Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, 6pm-midnight 715 S. 2nd Avenue Phoenix, Arizona www.azforpiestewa.com HOPI CODE TALKER RECOGNITION CELEBRATION PREPPER FEST West World, Scottsdale Saturday Oct. 25 & Sunday Oct. 26 WestWorld, 16601 N Pima Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260 www.prepperfestaz.com Technical 5 Franklin Shupla "Awiino" - Tobacco Clan, Tewa Village, Pvt. 1st Class Travis S. Yaiva "Sikawistiwa" - Corn Clan, Moenkopi Village, Pvt. 1st Class Frank C. Chapella "Tuukwavi" - Bear Clan, Bacavi Village, Pvt. 1st Class Warren Kooyaqaptewa "Shuute" - Bear Clan, Tewa Village. True to their solemn pledge of silence, none ever shared their war duty as Code Talkers. In 2008 Congress awarded them their own Congressional Medal. On one side there are two soldiers, one on a radio the other with binoculars (spotter), above them is printed "Hopi Code Talkers" and below is U.S. Army. A plane flies overhead in tribute to the 3 in the Army Air Force. On the other side is the Hopi Circle of Life. Inside the circle are 4 quarters demarked by crossed lines and in quarter is a small circle, bordering on either side are corn plants with ears ready to be plucked. They're rooted in a small mound with the words, "A CODE NEVER BROKEN" and "ACT OF CONGRESS 2008 WORLD WAR II" printed on this side. I attended the Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day Ceremony at Kykotsmovi on April 23rd. It was titled; "Through Humble Duty and Sacrifice E'dah Lavay E Da Muy Duwala". It's a beautiful drive to the mesas. Go north on state route 87 at Winslow, enjoying the scenery for the next hour. When you arrive at the mesas there's a "T". Go left to Kykotsmovi. The winding road along the face of the mesa had me considering and imagining the difficult life the Hopi's created to live peaceably; how frugally they lived and how they cared and shared for each other. The ceremony was warm, sentimental and humorous, especially the recollections of the elders trip to Washington! A delicious lunch was served with the main entree being a traditional hominy stew. My dining companions included members of Warren Kooya-quaptewa's family. He had 7 daughters and 2 sons who now have many children and grandchildren. "Be sure and tell everyone that our father was from Hano Village, that they all went to Kykotsmovi High School together, played on the same basketball team and rode the bus together". The Hopi and Tewa have continued their Grandfathers' military traditions; serving in the Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf/Afghanistan Wars. Terry Piestewa, Vietnam Veteran trained as a code talker in 1965 and served as a radioman in Vietnam. He joked that occasionally he used Hopi on the radio to see if another Hopi was listening, but there wasn't. The US military trained other Native-Americans in the code, they were never used in Vietnam, but they'll be there if and when they're called, like their Grandfathers - "Kaheyatah" (Sacrifice for Freedom). "Kwakwey" to the Peaceful Ones "Kwakwey" (Thank you).
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