Back to the Grind

Good day all!

Apologies for the delay in postings. Please stay tuned, we will be providing updates soon!! We've had quite a bit happen these last months...to be continued!!

Native Warrior Run 2009 is upon us...

And so the sacred journey begins...

On May 11th, 2009, the Native Warrior Run will begin its trek to Washington, D. C. This event will feature many stops through various Native Communities through this great country. This Run has been instrumental in bringing long overdue recognition to our Native American Veterans of the Vietnam Era. With it comes a healing process for Veterans, families and Communities and a time to recognize past events and memories that acknowledge the fact Native Americans are all a part of an American past, that has seen success and has felt failures.

This run is about neither loss or gain; it is about an appreciation for our communities' warriors, those who give unselfishly. It is about people who humbly gave of themselves; their time, their bodies, and their minds. Years have been given to protect America and what it stands for, their bodies have felt and may show what all they gave or lost and their minds will forever be with their time and service and experiences that many will never come to understand. It is during this time, that the participants of the Native Warrior Run, Veteran and supporter, acknowledge the Veteran and those who made the Ultimate Sacrifice.

During this Run, we credit our true community leaders, our Veterans, as they have demonstrated the greatest of all civil service duties: service above self.

The Native Warrior Run will begin its trek in Arizona, but it must forever run in the hearts and minds of all our communities...we must never forget.

The Run will continue its journey through the Gila River, Salt River, San Carlos and White Mountain Indian communities before it heads to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee and finally to Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam War:

It was the longest war in American history and the most unpopular American war of the twentieth century. It resulted in nearly 60,000 American deaths. During the Vietnam War, close to 90% of the 86,000 American Indians who enlisted volunteered, giving Native Americans the highest record of service per capita of any ethnic group. Over half served in combat.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

NABI Chasing the Sun Powwow

May 2, 2009 was the inaugural Chasing the Sun Powwow, held in conjunction with the Native American Basketball Invitational, (NABI). NABI has been held annually and is a showcase for young Native American basketball players from throughout Indian Country. Over the years NABI has drawn many major sponsors and has been a show of great encouragement to our Native youth through the sport of basketball. Each year, the event seems to get bigger and bigger.

This year, Native motorcycle riders came together to support the youth through a show of honor as they rode from the Gila River Indian Community to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The ride of honor included members of the Rez Riders, Hemajkam Riders, Red Mountain Riders and the American Legion Riders as well as other riders who support the youth and positive activities within Native communities.

The honor ride to the stadium was capped with the procession of riders becoming part of the Grand Entry of the powwow. Many thanks go to all the riders who participated that day, it was a great ride and was a great event to attend. We look forward to watching this grow as an annual event with the powwow.

Family Advocate Center Donation Presentation

Today, Coolidge Mayor Tom Shope, members of the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce, the Brothers From The Rez, Gila River Police Department Motor Officer Wilcox and Sgt. Tanokeowma were on hand as donations from the Coolidge Cotton Days Run to the Ruins, held on March 07, 2009, were presented. The proceeds raised from the Run and a donation from the Law Tigers was presented to Mr. James Walsh, Pinal County Attorney, who accepted on behalf of the Pinal County Family Advocate Center.

The Run was has been organized in conjunction with the Coolidge Cotton Days by the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce. This year, the Brothers From The Rez participated and volunteer their time to provide help with the Run. Members from the Gila River Police Department Motor Unit played a major role in escorting and navigating the motorcycle run through Pinal County and worked extra hard to ensure that the Run was as safe as could be.

Overall, it was the efforts of all the Run participants who helped make the Run a success because in the end the donations were presented to a worthy cause. Thank you for all who participated and we all look forward to next years Run!! See you there!!

Updates, Updates!!!

Say folks, been slackin here for a bit, my apologies. We have quite a few events to catch up on...so hang on and we'll get 'em out here soon enough!!

Thanks for your support!

Piestewa Memorial & Iraq POWs Honor Escort

We will be meeting for the annual Piestewa Memorial and Iraq POWs memorial and recognition event on March 22, 2009. On that Sunday, we are scheduling to meet with the Piestewa Family and the Iraq POWs at Piestewa Peak in Phoenix at 1100am, for an escort to the Mul-Chu-Tha Pow Wow in Sacaton, on the Gila River Indian Community.

All those interested, please contact us for more information.

Additionally, on March 23, 2009 before sunrise, there will be an escort of the Piestewa Family and Iraq POWs from their hotel to the Piestewa Peak, for the annual ceremony honoring our Fallen Warrior, Lori Piestewa. More information on that to come.

Coolidge Cotton Days: Ruins Run

The Rally at the Ruins run for the Coolidge Cotton Days was a success! We had great riding weather which made for making the run through Sacaton, Casa Grande and Coolidge awesome. Overall, the prizes that were donated by the various businesses were excellent.

In all, we had over 75 bikes accounted for, (an official count will be coming soon). Rex served as the MC for the raffle and bike games. At times you thought he was Elvis, but the King was actually on the Main stage behind us performing, so it was tough to differentiate them from eachother, since Rex is so talented!! (besides, Rex had a bigger crowd!!)

Overall, many thanks go to the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce and all those nights spent at Tag's and Brads to plan for the Rally. We look forward to the 2010 Rally!!

[ABATE of AZ] Veterans' Support

For those interested and available; on February 16th 2009 at the Arizona State Capitol Grounds there will be a Flag raising ceremony. The current flag pole is being replaced by three new flag poles that will proudly display the United States Flag, the POW/MIA Flag and the Arizona Flag. There will also be a brass plaque honoring Veteran’s past, present and future. During the ceremony the AZ National Guard will do a Black Hawk fly by. A large turn out is expected. We hope that you will attend and rally more veterans and support to accompany us. If your interested, let us know! Thanks!

What: Flag Raising Ceremony to Honor Veteran’s

When: 16 February 2009 at 12 noon

Where: Arizona Capitol Grounds
1700 W. Washington Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Remembering Our Nation's Heroes

On February 21, 2009; Sacaton, AZ will be hosting the 64th Anniversary of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising. A flyer for the event is available on our website under "Events", check it out; http://www.brothersfromtherez.com/.

We hope to see you there!

Tribute to the Tohono O'odham Nation's Veterans

A sincere thanks and much appreciation go out to all the riders who participated in the 71st Annual Tohono O'odham Nation Rodeo and Fair Parade!! We would like to to say thanks to the GRPD Motor Units for their representation of Gila River's Finest and for leading the way. Also we'd like to express a great deal of thanks to the Hemajkam Riders, which consist of riders from the Gila And Salt River Indian Communities.

Overall, the morning was excellent! We had perfect riding weather, which made for an awesome day to ride and pay tribute to the T.O. Nation's Veterans and Community. The parade had over 80+ entries and the parade route was spectacular as many in attendance were excited to have seen and heard us participate. As we made our way through the parade route through Sells, the local radio station, 91.9 KOHN FM got to broadcast the sound of our engines as we rolled through, that was cool!!

We capped the day with a terrific lunch provided in the Veteran's Center in Sells. Thanks to Eva and the T.O. Veterans and the blessed hands for helping to provide a great meal, it was delicious. We can't wait to come back !!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday....Coolidge Swap Meet...revisited

Here we go again! This coming Sunday, February 1st, we are planning to set up shop at the Coolidge Swap Meet again. Last Sunday was a great day and since not everyone had a chance to shake their closets and storages out, we decided to come out wheel and deal again! We will be meeting at the "Meet" at 0700 hours. If your interested, come on down!! Got too many things laying around the house, (spouses and significant others and most animals excluded), bring em on down and donate them to the cause!!

Once again, proceeds raised from the sales of the donated treasures will be put toward the 2009 Native Warrior Run for the Wall events, come and out and see us...Thanks!!

Saddle up for the 2009 T.O. Rodeo and Fair!!

The Brothers will trek on down to the Tohono O'odham Nation for their parade for the 2009 Rodeo and Fair and to show their support for the Nation's Veterans!!! We will depart from the Ira Hayes Memorial Park at 0600 on February 07, 2009.

The plan will be to head on south with the Red Mountain Riders and any one else interested. For this day, we are planning to have lunch with the TO Vets and friends and spend some time with our family down south! We are planning to secure an escort and attendance of the Gila River Motor Officers, these guys are WAY cool!!! More details on this will be coming!

got a new years resolution...cleaning your closet out one of them???

Need to let some things go...got some things 'round the house you feel you can finally part with?? On Sunday January 25th, we will be planning to dump that junk from your trunks at the Coolidge Swap Meet. We'll meet at the 'meet' at 0700 and be there til 1100.

All proceeds and funds raised from the sale of our donated items will be put toward the Brothers fund for the 2009 Native Warrior Run....one man's junk is another man's treasure!!!

Supporting the GRHC...

Friday January 23rd we will be heading out to Komatke for the Gila River Health Care Grand Opening Ceremony for the Komatke Health Center. The ceremony will be at the new facility which is east of the Pecos Rd and 51st Ave intersection. Come out and show your support!!

For those of you who are able, we will meet in Sacaton at 0800 at the Ira Hayes Memorial Park.

Donation Round-up

For those of you interested, this Saturday, January 17th we will meet at 0900 at Ira Hayes Memorial Park in Sacaton. We plan to ride the day around Phoenix and Mesa to collect donation items for the Coolidge Cotton Days, Ride to the Ruins Rally.

Let us know if you are interested....and if you have any questions...let us know!!! See you then!!

Get the scoop and be in the know!!

Welcome to our blog!! Here we will post information and news regarding events and gatherings of the Brothers From The Rez, as well as other happenings in and around our community!! So, stay tuned and if you got an questions or information, we'd love to hear from you! Thanks!!

Also, check us out on the web: http://www.brothersfromtherez.com!!