PINE RIDGE, S.D. - Members of two Army National Guard units delivered lumber to various towns on the Pine Ridge Reservation on June 5 as part of the 2008 Golden Coyote training exercise hosted by the South Dakota Army National Guard.
Soldiers of the 1742nd Transportation Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard and the 1116th Transportation Company of the New Mexico Army National Guard supported a mission that involved hauling raw lumber to several towns within the reservation to help support the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
"Seven trucks hauling six cords of trimmed timber were delivered today," said Maj. Jade Beehler of the 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of South Dakota and the officer in charge of the timber-haul mission. "Our ultimate goal is to deliver 120 truck loads, roughly 600 cords of wood, to eight locations on the Pine Ridge Reservation."
While the aim of the mission is ambitious, the Soldiers providing the support were eager to do their part.
"We were happy to be out here in support of this mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Henio of the 1116th. "It was good training, and it gave us the opportunity to take part in something we've never taken part in before. It just feels good to do your part."
The support provided to the Oglala Sioux Tribe was much appreciated, as well as needed.
"The National Guard has come out here about two years in a row, and the wood they provide us goes a long way in helping us sustain ourselves during the winter," said Tim Yellow Bird Steele, the facility manager of the Oglala District Service Center.
"We use the wood for heat in the winter. We also use the wood to make fence posts and other general needs for the community here," added Steele.
Certain members of the NMARNG and the Oglala Sioux Tribe share a very special bond. Many of the NMARNG are members of various southwestern tribes including the Navajo, the Pueblo and the Zuni.
"Many members of our unit are Native American, and yes, we share that bond with these people," said Staff Sgt. Norman Martinez of the 1116th. "But ultimately, it's all about helping people. When we put on this uniform, we take it upon ourselves to do the best that we can do for whomever it is we are helping, whether it be here or in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit."