SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

The Daily Times

www.daily-times.com

U.S. Army Sgt. Jason McClelland felt compelled to military service

FARMINGTON The day after the Twin Towers crumbled, Jason McClelland met with a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter. On 9/11, I remember seeing on the news, the Twin Towers going down, and it made me mad, McClelland said. I thought, How dare someone do that to us? Im young. Im in shape. I might as well do something about it. He didnt enlist that day. But Sept. 11, 2001, put McClelland on a trajectory to military service. Eventually, he would personally confront some of the nations enemies. I knew at that point we were going to go to war. I didnt know where or how, but I knew we were going to war. I just felt completed that I needed to jump in, he said. The 30-year-old U.S. Army sergeant is currently stationed at Joint Base LewisMcChord near Tacoma, Wash. He has completed two tours in the Middle East one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. The 2001 Piedra Vista High School graduate says he always talked about joining the military. Both of his grandfathers served during the Korean War. Photos of both men, dressed in their military uniforms, hang in the living room of his parents home in Farmington. After high school, McClelland attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of New Mexico. He graduated in 2006 with a bachelors degree in physical education and health and started a year-and-a-half teaching gig at Albuquerque Academy. And then he started looking for something different. Office work didnt suit him. He longed to be outdoors, operating as part of a team. So he moved home to Farmington and returned to his summer job working on an oil rig. But roughnecking wasnt what McClelland wanted to do with the rest of his life. He found himself back at the recruiters office on Jan. 3, 2008. He talked to recruiters with four military branches before deciding on the Army. After basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Thats where he met his wife, Carmen, via an online dating website. In late 2009, he deployed to Iraq for 10 months. Stationed mostly in the northern part of the country, McClelland led three-men sniper teams on missions countering improvised explosive devices. Eight months into his tour, while he was home on leave, McClelland watched his new infant daughter take her first breaths. Two days later, he was on a plane back to Iraq. His second tour started May 1, 2012. This one felt different, McClelland said. For one thing, his wife was eight months pregnant with the couples son. This time, McClelland knew he wouldnt be there for the birth. He was also headed to a more dangerous location Afghanistans Zhari District in Kandahar Province, the birthplace of the Taliban. It lived up to its name. We were getting into fire fights every day with the Taliban, McClelland said.

His unit worked with village elders to rebuild parts of the city, much of which was still a Taliban stronghold. The atmosphere, he said, was nerve-wracking. You didnt know if you were going to step on an IED or get shot at, he said. One day in August 2012, McClelland and about 80 soldiers lined up in formation for an executive officers promotion ceremony. Then they heard a single shot, followed by two bursts of machine-gun fire. As the bullets inched closer, the soldiers dove for cover. McClelland hid behind a metal storage container. Within seconds, he organized a team of four of soldiers to advance on the gunman from the left flank. When they were about 20 feet from him, the gunfire suddenly stopped. Another solider had shot the assailant, striking him in the face and chest. The gunman turned out to be an Afghan National Army solider, a supposed ally the American troops had trained. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and died in-flight, McClelland said. Two soldiers were injured in the attack, including the officer scheduled to be promoted. Other soldiers mostly the younger ones hid during the attack, McClelland said. That wasnt an option for him. It didnt really hit me until we left Afghanistan, he said of the incident, the closest call he had during two tours. I look back and I think, Youre an idiot for going after this guy. But I had to do it or else U.S. Army Sgt. Jason McClelland poses for a portrait at his home in Farmington. a lot of people could have been injured. I saw the objective, and my training took over, and I just went for it. When McClelland tells that story, he sticks to the facts: what happened, who was involved, how it ended. But his mother, Diane McClelland, sat quietly as her son told the story, wiping away a few tears. Its difficult narrative for her to hear. While shes proud of her son, fear is ever-present. Shes found a community of support in the Four Corners Blue Star Mothers, a service group for mothers with children in the military. Its terrifying, yet youre there for them. You support them. You go through a lot of emotions, she said. Jason McClelland returned in January from Afghanistan. Hes now looking to the future. He plans to move back to Farmington once his stint in the Army is up in spring 2014. While job prospects for veterans are bleak, hes hoping to go back to working in the oil industry, maybe as a safety man. He credits the military with teaching him discipline and helping him shift his priorities. His wife and two young children Thayne, 1, and MacKenzie, 3 come first, he said. McClelland shrugs off any accolades for service. When the Four Corners Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized him for his heroism at a ceremony in June, McClelland said the attention made him feel a little weird. To us, its a job. Its what we do, he said.

Jon Austria/The Daily Times

Photo courtesy of Diane McClelland Magdalena Wegrzyn is the city editor for The Daily U.S. Army Agt. Jason McClelland has completed two tours in the Middle East one in Iraq and one in Times. She can be reached at Afghanistan. McClelland, pictured here in 2012 in Afghanistan, was responsible for rallying a group of sol505-564-4632. diers against an enemy soldier during an attack.

For Larry Turk, making a difference is what matters most

The Daily Times

Sunday, June 30, 2013

AZTEC With pins holding his spine together and reconstructed knees, soft-spoken Larry Turk lumbers slowly along, but that doesnt get in his way. Turk, familiar to most people as the superintendent of Aztec Ruins and the acting superintendent of Chaco Culture National Park, is on a mission to make the cultural sites he oversees and the surrounding community a better place. Thats what were trying to do here, is to increase the number of programs we offer, to always focus on outreach, he said. The real dividend paid is educating our youth and you cant put a price on that. Part of that is the Park Services Call to Action plan to increase the publics appreciation and stewardship of U.S. parks as it nears its 100th year. Turk and his staff have rolled out dozens of projects to answer the call. Those projects include connecting downtown Aztec to the Ruins with a new pedestrian trail system and walking bridge over the Animas River, providing learning-service efforts in the park with area students, upping classroom visits by interpretation staff from seven to 162 this last academic year, erecting wood post fencing and shade structures designed by Turk who was inspired by the Ruins architecture, and working with a Cub Scout pack and Youth Conservation Corps to grow vegetables and native plants in the parks demonstration garden. For a guy somewhat hobbled by injuries sustained while serving the country as an airborne Army Ranger, Turk manages to stay in constant motion. In 11 years, Turk went from entry-level custodian

Jon Austria/The Daily Times

Larry Turk, poses for a portrait, Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Aztec Ruins National Monument in Aztec. Turk is the superintendent of Aztec Ruins National Monument.

A team of community service officers devoted to the Special Olympics

at South Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, to his current twin superintendent roles. Not satisfied managing two national parks, Turk serves on four boards the Aztec Chamber of Commerce, Aztec trails and Open Space, Aztec Museum, and soon to be chair of the Lodgers Tax Advisory board to increase the positive forward motion he envisions for the community. I am very driven and I enjoy a challenge, I admit it, he said. I usually reach my 40 work hours by Wednesday. But I dont wear a watch; time doesnt matter to me. If I wasnt out working, Id just be sitting at home, so I stay busy.

Turk begins each February working weekends during the remainder of the school year with Aztec High School Junior ROTC cadets whom he employs full-time in the summer. A former Eagle scout, he can be as often found sitting at a conference table or at commission meetings as picking up a shovel and diverting the parks irrigation trenches. He currently is in negotiations with Bureau of Land Management officials to limit or remove oil and gas leases that surround the park at Chaco. Noise and air pollution from roads, traffic, drilling, and anything that sullies the pristine park experience for visitors concerns him.

Today, you can almost go back in time to over 1,000 years ago, Turk said. To be out there, you can see everything in the sky in sharp focus. In July, Turks efforts to designate the park as a Dark Sky Park will be secured. The rare honor is given by the International Dark Sky Association, a non-profit that promotes the preservation and protection of night skies across the globe. Chaco will be only the fourth park in the country with the designation. In March, Turk was honored as Aztecs citizen of the year for his dedication to community improvement. Last year, Turk, who moved to Aztec when he accepted his

superintendent position two years ago, was named an official 2012 Old Sorehead for his volunteering work. Turk quietly defers any acclaim he has received to others. I couldnt do any of the things I do without my incredible staff and my awesome wife, he said. Its not my success. Its the communitys. I dont work this much for awards, even though I am very honored (to be recognized). Turk comes up with ideas for progress and sees them through. With help from the Conservation Corps workers, he is clearing a dead apple orchard on the west flank of the Ruins, removing invasive

species and revegetating the area. He hopes to put in a campground at its south end to further encourage visitors. For Turk, progress is only possible by collaborating with others and keeping at it every day. Everything I do is centered around the community, especially the youth, Turk said. Theyre our future. Were going to be passing the torch off to them and I want to make sure that were doing everything we can to live up to or surpass their expectations. James Fenton covers Aztec and Bloomfield for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-5644621.

FARMINGTON Jenny Dennis and Shawn Arachuleta are so inseparable they are known by their Special Olympics family affectionately as Shenny. Shenny even receives mail from the Special Olympics New Mexico headquarters, and their devotion to their work with the Special Olympics is just as strong as their bond with each other. Dennis and Arachuleta have been working together as community service officers for the Farmington Police Department for 15 years, and have helped with the police departments involvement with Special Olympics for just as long. However, over the years, their involvement has grown to the point that it is now more of a way of life for them. You just get sucked in. Molly Max well is a conThere really is no other way tributing writer for The Photo courtesy of Molly Maxwell to put it, Dennis said. At Daily Times. Dennis and Arachuleta go over the summer camp schedule with campers Friday June 21st. this point, even if we were no longer with the police department, we would still be doing this work. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is one of the several fundraisers Dennis and Arachuleta take part in as community service officers, and Sgt. Kent ODonnell said the women do most of the work on their own time. The torch run raises public awareness and is the main fundraiser for the Special Olympics, and umbrellas other fundraisers throughout the year. Dennis and Arachuleta are committee chairs for the run, plus they oversee the Polar Plunge, Chilis Tip-A-Cop where police officers work as Chilis waiters to generate money for the Special Olympics and the Special Olympic events that take place in Farmington. They have set a new high for raising money for the Special Olympics (for the Farmington Police Department) this year, said ODonnell. So far this year, they have raised $18,000 and they are only half way through the year. Photo courtesy of Molly Maxwell Other Special Olympics Areas in New Mexico look Jenny Dennis and Shawn Arachuleta pose with all the campers at the first Special Olympic Summer Camp Saturday June 22nd.

to Area 1s torch run and Chilis Tip-A-Cop as a model to follow. The inaugural C.A.S.T. For Kids Special Olympics Summer Camp at Navajo Lake ran June 21 through 23, and Arachuleta and Dennis took the lead role in organizing the event. Fishing was the main event, but other activities included making bird feeders, a scavenger hunt and weaving survivor bracelets. Dennis and Arachuleta work closely with Debra Lisenbee, the Area 1 New Mexico Special Olympics Director. We actually had to say OK, Jenny, we only have two days, Lisenbee said of Dennis enthusiasm for adding activities to the weekend. Theyre like a bad penny you cant get rid of them. But a whole lot of this wouldnt be happening without them.

For Larry Turk, making a difference is what matters most

The Daily Times

Sunday, June 30, 2013

AZTEC With pins holding his spine together and reconstructed knees, soft-spoken Larry Turk lumbers slowly along, but that doesnt get in his way. Turk, familiar to most people as the superintendent of Aztec Ruins and the acting superintendent of Chaco Culture National Park, is on a mission to make the cultural sites he oversees and the surrounding community a better place. Thats what were trying to do here, is to increase the number of programs we offer, to always focus on outreach, he said. The real dividend paid is educating our youth and you cant put a price on that. Part of that is the Park Services Call to Action plan to increase the publics appreciation and stewardship of U.S. parks as it nears its 100th year. Turk and his staff have rolled out dozens of projects to answer the call. Those projects include connecting downtown Aztec to the Ruins with a new pedestrian trail system and walking bridge over the Animas River, providing learning-service efforts in the park with area students, upping classroom visits by interpretation staff from seven to 162 this last academic year, erecting wood post fencing and shade structures designed by Turk who was inspired by the Ruins architecture, and working with a Cub Scout pack and Youth Conservation Corps to grow vegetables and native plants in the parks demonstration garden. For a guy somewhat hobbled by injuries sustained while serving the country as an airborne Army Ranger, Turk manages to stay in constant motion. In 11 years, Turk went from entry-level custodian

Jon Austria/The Daily Times

Larry Turk, poses for a portrait, Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Aztec Ruins National Monument in Aztec. Turk is the superintendent of Aztec Ruins National Monument.

A team of community service officers devoted to the Special Olympics

at South Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, to his current twin superintendent roles. Not satisfied managing two national parks, Turk serves on four boards the Aztec Chamber of Commerce, Aztec trails and Open Space, Aztec Museum, and soon to be chair of the Lodgers Tax Advisory board to increase the positive forward motion he envisions for the community. I am very driven and I enjoy a challenge, I admit it, he said. I usually reach my 40 work hours by Wednesday. But I dont wear a watch; time doesnt matter to me. If I wasnt out working, Id just be sitting at home, so I stay busy.

Turk begins each February working weekends during the remainder of the school year with Aztec High School Junior ROTC cadets whom he employs full-time in the summer. A former Eagle scout, he can be as often found sitting at a conference table or at commission meetings as picking up a shovel and diverting the parks irrigation trenches. He currently is in negotiations with Bureau of Land Management officials to limit or remove oil and gas leases that surround the park at Chaco. Noise and air pollution from roads, traffic, drilling, and anything that sullies the pristine park experience for visitors concerns him.

Today, you can almost go back in time to over 1,000 years ago, Turk said. To be out there, you can see everything in the sky in sharp focus. In July, Turks efforts to designate the park as a Dark Sky Park will be secured. The rare honor is given by the International Dark Sky Association, a non-profit that promotes the preservation and protection of night skies across the globe. Chaco will be only the fourth park in the country with the designation. In March, Turk was honored as Aztecs citizen of the year for his dedication to community improvement. Last year, Turk, who moved to Aztec when he accepted his

superintendent position two years ago, was named an official 2012 Old Sorehead for his volunteering work. Turk quietly defers any acclaim he has received to others. I couldnt do any of the things I do without my incredible staff and my awesome wife, he said. Its not my success. Its the communitys. I dont work this much for awards, even though I am very honored (to be recognized). Turk comes up with ideas for progress and sees them through. With help from the Conservation Corps workers, he is clearing a dead apple orchard on the west flank of the Ruins, removing invasive

species and revegetating the area. He hopes to put in a campground at its south end to further encourage visitors. For Turk, progress is only possible by collaborating with others and keeping at it every day. Everything I do is centered around the community, especially the youth, Turk said. Theyre our future. Were going to be passing the torch off to them and I want to make sure that were doing everything we can to live up to or surpass their expectations. James Fenton covers Aztec and Bloomfield for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-5644621.

FARMINGTON Jenny Dennis and Shawn Arachuleta are so inseparable they are known by their Special Olympics family affectionately as Shenny. Shenny even receives mail from the Special Olympics New Mexico headquarters, and their devotion to their work with the Special Olympics is just as strong as their bond with each other. Dennis and Arachuleta have been working together as community service officers for the Farmington Police Department for 15 years, and have helped with the police departments involvement with Special Olympics for just as long. However, over the years, their involvement has grown to the point that it is now more of a way of life for them. You just get sucked in. Molly Max well is a conThere really is no other way tributing writer for The Photo courtesy of Molly Maxwell to put it, Dennis said. At Daily Times. Dennis and Arachuleta go over the summer camp schedule with campers Friday June 21st. this point, even if we were no longer with the police department, we would still be doing this work. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is one of the several fundraisers Dennis and Arachuleta take part in as community service officers, and Sgt. Kent ODonnell said the women do most of the work on their own time. The torch run raises public awareness and is the main fundraiser for the Special Olympics, and umbrellas other fundraisers throughout the year. Dennis and Arachuleta are committee chairs for the run, plus they oversee the Polar Plunge, Chilis Tip-A-Cop where police officers work as Chilis waiters to generate money for the Special Olympics and the Special Olympic events that take place in Farmington. They have set a new high for raising money for the Special Olympics (for the Farmington Police Department) this year, said ODonnell. So far this year, they have raised $18,000 and they are only half way through the year. Photo courtesy of Molly Maxwell Other Special Olympics Areas in New Mexico look Jenny Dennis and Shawn Arachuleta pose with all the campers at the first Special Olympic Summer Camp Saturday June 22nd.

to Area 1s torch run and Chilis Tip-A-Cop as a model to follow. The inaugural C.A.S.T. For Kids Special Olympics Summer Camp at Navajo Lake ran June 21 through 23, and Arachuleta and Dennis took the lead role in organizing the event. Fishing was the main event, but other activities included making bird feeders, a scavenger hunt and weaving survivor bracelets. Dennis and Arachuleta work closely with Debra Lisenbee, the Area 1 New Mexico Special Olympics Director. We actually had to say OK, Jenny, we only have two days, Lisenbee said of Dennis enthusiasm for adding activities to the weekend. Theyre like a bad penny you cant get rid of them. But a whole lot of this wouldnt be happening without them.

JROTC mom goes above and beyond the call of duty

The Daily Times

Sunday, June 30, 2013

FARMINGTON Members of the Aztec High School Army JROTC have enjoyed the effort and hours one parental volunteer, lovingly referred to as Aunt Peggy, has put into the program. Sandoval Peggy McMurry has been volunteering for the JROTC program since her son Alexander joined two years ago as a freshman. McMurry said Alexander has had his mind focused on joining the armed services since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. From that day forward, hes been militarybound, McMurry said. I havent been able to convince him otherwise - its his dream. Im going to back him up and support him.

Col. Berris Samples described McMurry as a surrogate mother or big sister to the cadets, helping to chaperone trips across the country and helping out with the groups work at the Aztec Ruins. She was available to the cadets to encourage them and be a role model, Samples said. Shes a special person. When you dont have to get paid to care for people and be with them, it shows she does it from the heart. She has a special quality. McMurry has volunteered as sponsor and adult chaperone for the color guard, accompanying them to a Colorado Rockies baseball game two years in a row to present the national colors. Other activities include chaperoning summer adventure training, helping cadets travel back and forth for training with the New Mexico National Guard in

Santa Fe and helping the cadets with their annual fundraiser to pay for new uniforms and equipment. Most notable is her work with the cadets and the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps at the Aztec Ruins National Monument. Recent Aztec High School graduate Shenikaah Sandoval said the cadets have partnered with the Corps on upkeep of the grounds where there are ancient Puebloan structures. She spends a lot of time at the Aztec Ruins, helping by supervising, and shell help us with pulling weeds, Sandoval said. Shes not just standing around, shes actually working. Samples said McMurry helps the cadets with repairs and building new equipment around the grounds of the ruins. We do staining, we

built a picnic shelter right there alongside (the cadets), Samples said. We do shoveling, mixing concrete in the yard with them. Not only is she seen working on the job as a trainer, she has volunteered a lot of hours.

McMurry said she enjoys being a role model for the cadets, letting them know she is available if they need someone to talk to. I just like kids and they like me, McMurry said. I enjoy them, I make

them laugh, they make me laugh, just to be a positive encouragement behind them. Josh Kellogg covers education for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627.

Jon Austria/The Daily Times

Peggy Sandoval McMurry is a parenttal volunteer for the Aztec High School Army JROTC program.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

COMMUN TY XIX XHEROES

Beyale pitches in for Shiprock youths

The Daily Times

FARMINGTON Graham Beyale, a 23-yearold Shiprock resident, came back from college to help his community. Beyale started a volunteer youth group, the Northern Din Youth Committee, that is bringing together high school and college students to carry out projects such as picking up trash and helping elders. We work together to, in a way, make this community a better place, he said. He also cofounded the Healing Circle Drop-in Center in Shiprock. It started as a resource to help people dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse, but it has evolved into a community center, hosting classes, workshops and events. Beyale graduated from Shiprock High School in 2008. He attended the University of New Mexico for three semesters before returning home and taking classes at Din College. Beyale said he plans to continue his education at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. He is interested in pursuing silversmithing and jewelrymaking. Beyale said it was important for him to come

back home to help. If I dont do it, then who will? he said. Growing up here, Ive built a sense of obligation to take care of my community. Its only natural that if you live somewhere, that if you call somewhere your home, that youll take care of it and maintain it. Beyale also works at the Shiprock Chapter House coordinating a summer youth program. Hes very outgoing, very energetic and very creative, said chapter President Chili Yazzie. He said Beyale supervises 70 to 80 students in the program. Hes real busy, Yazzie said. Beyale said he wants to build programs that last after seeing many wellintended programs fade in Shiprock. Growing up here, you get used to programs and businesses coming with these huge, grand ideas, and they just fail, he said. I didnt want that for my programs. Beyale said his generation is stepping up. I can see myself not even have to be at these events, he said. Theres just been so much empowerment from the youth. Chuck Slothower covers business for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4638.

Augusta Liddic/The Daily Times

Graham Beyale is youth ambassador and founder of the Northern Dine Youth Committee in Shiprock.

RESCUE: Man saves choking neighbor at campground

The Daily Times

Sunday, June 30, 2013

FARMINGTON The pills went down easy, but when a surprise piece of plastic mixed in with her medication got lodged in Elaine Deans throat, she started to panic. Dean, a 72-year-old Bloomfield woman, was on a weekend camping trip

at the Elks Campground near Navajo Dam on September 9 when she started choking. She was alone and cleaning up after breakfast. It was a daily routine. You take your vitamins, Dean said. I thought to myself Im going to die right here. I dont know what to do. She ran from her trailer and Paul Peerenboom,

who was staying in the cabin next door, was the first person to see her. He quickly grabbed her and started to do abdominal thrusts, which can also be referred to as the Heimlich maneuver. He could tell my face was changing color and he grabbed me and got this little plastic thing to come up, she said. When he saw me he instantly knew

what was wrong. Dean quickly coughed up the plastic. She said she can still vividly remember the feeling of oxygen returning to her body after she had been deprived of it. Dean credits Peerenboom with saving her life and hopes her story will get more people to learn lifesaving techniques like abdominal thrusts and CPR. There should be more

people thats willing to do what he did, she said. And I also need to learn how to save a life. Because I needed some help really bad and Paul didnt need to ask questions. He knew what to do instantly. Peerenboom, who lives in Kirtland, said he learned in the military how to act fast and respond quickly to emergencies.

You would want somebody to help you if you were in that situation, he said. Hopefully somebody surrounding you would recognize what was happening and be able to respond and react to it. Ryan Boetel covers crime and San Juan County for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505564-4644.

Augusta Liddic/The Daily Times

Paul Peerenboom was presented with the Red Cross Emergency Rescue Hero award after he used the Heimlich maneuver to save a woman who was choking.