Guest Contributor, Marcus Denetdale, M.Ed. | USAF Veteran, Navajo
Memorial Day holds a deep, personal significance for me. Each year, I make my way to the Sun City National Veterans Memorial, where I visit the final resting place of my dear friend, Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Jeremy’s story is one of courage and sacrifice—he was a special operations captain in the Air Force whose helicopter tragically went down in Iraq during a training mission on Memorial Day, May 30, 2005.
Jeremy and I first crossed paths as kids in the Young American Football League (YAFL), and then again in Jr. High. He played quarterback while I was at center. Years later, we both chose to serve our country: Jeremy attended the Air Force Academy, while I entered active duty straight out of high school. We both spent time in the panhandle of Florida, just missing each other by a year—he arrived at Hurlburt Field, FL in 2002, and I had left Tyndall AFB, FL in 2001.
As we go into this Memorial Weekend, please take time to remember the brave. Over the years reflecting on Memorial Day since when I first joined the service to now, it is much different. Then, I didn’t personally know any of the fallen, it was more about BBQs and cooking out with family and friends. Now, it has much more meaning not only because I know some of the ones we’ve lost, but it reminds me of the sacrifice many made. I remind my family and younger generations that it’s just not a “day off” but a time to honor and reflect. It’s a day to pay tribute to the extraordinary lives that shaped our country’s history.
Today, I am honored to work for an organization called Home Base, where my focus is on Tribal Relations at the national level. Through our Native Veteran Intensive Clinical Program, we strive to bring behavioral healthcare access to Native Warriors. This mission is especially important because many Native Veterans living in rural areas may not know how to access, or may lack access to, quality care. By working together, we can help save one another and make a meaningful difference in our communities.
If you or someone you know is a veteran or a family member of a veteran who is struggling with grief or in need of behavioral health services, please reach out to Home Base. Home Base is a nonprofit organization dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of military service. As part of our efforts, we offer the Families of the Fallen Intensive Clinical Program (ICP) to support those experiencing loss. Alongside this program, we provide other services for military personnel and their families, all at no cost and available nationwide.
I appreciate Tribal Gaming and Hospitality magazine for this opportunity to share my story and pay tribute to the Fallen Warriors. Ahéheeʼ (“Thank you,” Navajo).