Washington National Guard Deploys Contingency Force During Makah Days
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Makah Days is an annual event sponsored by the Makah Tribe located at Neah Bay on the tip of western Washington’s Olympic peninsula. Each year thousands of tourists are attracted to the exciting and colorful event showcasing this ancient culture. In 1998, there was some concern by the Makah Tribe and local Law Enforcement Agencies that the traditional celebrations might be overshadowed by protests regarding a recent court decision allowing the Makahs to hunt whales in the area, in accordance with their 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay.
In response to requests by the tribe and law enforcement, the Washington National Guard was asked to participate in support. Over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of August 1998, on order from the Governor, soldiers and airmen of the Washington National Guard began preparations for movement to the Olympic peninsula. Their mission was to provide support to local and state law enforcement agencies. As it turned out, the Guardsmen were not needed, returning immediately following the peaceful Makah Days weekend of 28-30 August.
The purpose of this website is to bring to the citizens of Washington a view of what their National Guard does. These articles do not address political, ecological, legal or moral issues involved in and around Neah Bay. Rather, they highlight the selfless service of Washington State's Citizen-Soldiers - the men and women of the Washington National Guard. To each of these Guardsmen "Well Done!"
Throughout Makah Days, Guardsmen occupied a small area in the nearby foothills. What follows is a series of articles that appeared in the field newsletter "Olympic 98", published by the WAARNG’s 122nd Military Public Affairs Detachment, commanded by Maj. Phil Logan. Other members of the detachment that called Neah Bay "home" for a week were: Capt. Johnny Fisher, Staff Sgt. Lisa Dougan, Sgt. Fred Newcomer, and Specialist’s Jack Eden, and Al Lancaster.
The 122nd PAD was assisted by Washington Air Guard Staff Sgt. Carlos Acevedo. Additional articles presented here were written by Spec. Charles Ames, WNG-Web Staff Photojournalist, who deployed to Olympic 98 in his role as an Infantryman. These stories were further edited and formatted by the Webmaster.
This type of newsletter provides a source of information for our Guardsmen. It was produced locally and distributed daily through supply channels to the individual soldier and airman. We hope that these issues will give you a glimpse at the daily routines and duties of those friends, neighbors and family members that make up your Washington National Guard.
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"Fast Eddy"
Story / Photos SPC Charles Ames
As the line for breakfast lengthens, "Fast Eddy" pours what appears to be a gallon of eggs onto what must be the biggest portable grill you can get.
Mr. Eddy Yo is set up on North Fort Lewis on a dusty parade field serving the men of the 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry, which will soon be deploying to Neah Bay. They will train here for a few days prior to leaving for the peninsula. Lunch will still be an MRE, but breakfast and dinner will be served up by "Fast Eddy".
The Washington National Guard occasionally uses Eddy's Food Service to feed small groups of Guardsmen on short notice, or when the cost of opening a full Dining Facility and staffing it with National Guard or civilian cooks is not cost effective compared to the duration of the event. The latter was the case during the preparatory training conducted on North Fort Lewis in support of Operation Olympic 98. Eddy will feed the troops until the Mobile Kitchen Trailers are set up at Neah Bay.
"I came in the military in ’49 in Knoxville, Tennessee", says Eddy. From the first day of his active duty, PVT Yo distinguished himself in the mess hall. "Of course we had to pull KP, and I did such a good job in the kitchen, that the Company Commander made me the Mess Sergeant!" Eddy took a break from cooking by doing recruiting for a while, but soon missed the clanging pots and pans and long lines of hungry soldiers.
"I decided I wanted to get off recruiting duty and get back to the troops. The only way I could do it was to put in for Warrant Officer and I made it." If it is true that an army travels on it’s stomach, then Eddy had found an additional way to boost retention. "When you see what good can do for the troops, keeping them happy and the morale high, you know its helping to keep them in, and helping them to bring other people in."
"Now that I’m retired after 31 years, I do a lot of feeding for the Army Reserves, National Guard, Marines and Navy. I really enjoy it because the Army was so good to me that I want to do something for them. Good food helps keep soldiers in, so its a retention effort, too!"
About the deploying troops; "I wish them good luck to wherever they may be going, and when they return hopefully they’ll come back and let me feed them; I love ‘em."
Over 700 Guardsmen have to be fed in two different counties twice daily over the next two or three days. When asked what time he has to get up, he pauses, and replies, "Well, there were a couple days that I didn’t even go home!"
Eddy has hired a few young lads to directly assist him as he prepares his meals. Typically a small businessman must drive his employees to succeed, but his young charges listen carefully and work hard. This man has brought them out of hardship and given them the opportunity to excel. The servers periodically cry out, "Only two sausages!" but Eddy's meals (especially his breakfasts) are truly worth fighting over, and Joes will be Joes. Eddy smiles and keeps on cooking.
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The Camp Murray Print Shop & Alice Neibaur
Story / Photos SPC Charles Ames
Alice appears to be in constant motion. For 22 years, Alice Neibaur, a member of the Washington State Guard, has single-handedly operated the Print Room located right behind Building 1. "I support the Guard on drill weekends also, with last minute projects and tasks that are too big for their copiers." She has long forgotten who bestowed her with the nickname "Copy Cat" that claims a position on her wall.
Alice is being recognized for her part in producing the "Olympic ’98" newsletter that circulated throughout the forward area of the Neah Bay deployment. "SSG Clayton of the Public Affairs Office came over the morning of the 28th and asked me if I could do it. I said, ‘Sure, it’s part of my job." Despite the fact that the document in question had to be e-mailed using America Online (Murphy had our network down at the time), was in the wrong format for the software on the receiving end, had font and layout problems, and was to be printed in a non-standard 11" x 17" format, the first issue was done in just over an hour. Subsequently she handled 3 similar print jobs at 450 copies per run.
Really, this was a fairly straightforward print job for Alice. She has the capability to handle color prints, special paper, stapling, wire binding, covers, handbooks, charts, and much, much more. When the rest of the world goes to Kinko's, the Washington National Guard goes to Alice.
When she started at the Print Room, she says her supervisor (COL Morley, at that time, for you old-timers) said, "Remember, if it weren’t for the troops in the field, you wouldn’t have a job." The Colonel was a visionary way before his time. Now that we are firmly entrenched in the Information Age, you can imagine the workload that Alice deals with daily. Yet you can always expect a smile and a friendly chat each and every time you walk in the door of the Print Shop... not to mention the fact that Alice always has a jar of chocolates right by the work order window.
When she receives muddy artwork or off-center originals, she actually enjoys molding it into a polished finished product. "I don't believe in the adage "Garbage In, Garbage Out", and points to a framed quote, "Today’s Quality is Tomorrow’s Reputation". Alice has indeed supported the reputation of the Washington National Guard for over two decades. "I like the job because it’s a challenge; everyday is something different." Thanks Alice. You really do make a difference.
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