Alaska Natives have a strong, proud tradition of service to our country. We have the highest record of service per capita compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. There are 6,959 veteran and active-duty Alaska Natives, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. This is seven percent of the total Alaska Native population of 99,062, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

In a 1998 ceremony in honor of Veteran's Day and Native American Heritage Month, the U.S. Department of Defense recognized the contributions of Alaska Natives and American Indians in defense of this country, noting there are nearly 190,000 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Secretary of Defense John J. Hamre said, "Today we celebrate those heroes - American Indian and Alaska Native men and women who served in uniform and who sometimes paid with their lives for the liberties and freedoms we all enjoy."

In recognition of this valuable service, CIRI acknowledges our shareholders and descendants who are veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces.

Veterans

Master Sgt. Teddy A. Koweluk was born in Wales, Alaska, on Nov. 18, 1923. Koweluk, a CIRI shareholder, served in the Alaska Territorial Guard, stationed in Wales. He then transferred to the U.S. Army's 138th Infantry, stationed in Nome, Alaska. Koweluk served as a quartermaster in the Army's 206th Infantry Division during World War II, and was stationed on Attu Island in the Aleutians. Koweluk, 82, retired from the National Guard in 1984 as a master sergeant. He and his wife, Ruth, married on Aug. 7, 1947. They have seven children: Robert Koweluk, Kay Koweluk, Louise Peck, Hazel Nyberg, Michael Koweluk, John Koweluk, and Harvey Koweluk. Koweluk has an adopted grandson, William.

Cpl. Jacob C. Coffey joined the U.S. Army in April 2000, serving until honorably discharged in April 2004. Coffey's service to his country took him to Korea for a 12-month tour of duty. Coffey also completed a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq, from March 2003 to April 2004. Coffey received several awards for foreign service and lost several comrades-in-arms. His proud father, CIRI shareholder Pat Coffey, sends his best wishes to those who have children, relatives and friends serving in troubled areas.

Currently Serving

Cpl. Paul M. Frazier serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. Frazier, 22, was born in Palmer, Alaska, and graduated from Palmer High School. Frazier is the son of CIRI shareholder Karen L. Frazier, and is currently serving his country in Iraq.

Spc. Patrick L. Pearl serves in the Nevada National Guard. Pearl, 20, is from Reno, Nev. He is stationed in Afghanistan, and should be home in a year to continue his education at the University of Nevada Reno. Pearl is the grandson and adopted son of CIRI shareholder Margaret J. Pearl.

Airman 1st Class Brian Kilborn is on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. Kilborn is the son of Mitch Kilborn and CIRI shareholder Olga Kilborn.

Spc. Joy Mendenhall, of Kotzebue, Alaska, has been serving the U.S. Army since May 2001. Mendenhall, 22, is stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala. Mendenhall has been awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Superior Unit Award. Mendenhall is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Roy Mendenhall.

Staff Sgt. Carol Lynn Morgan, of Wasilla, Alaska, serves in the Alaska Army National Guard. Morgan, 43, works part-time in Fort Richardson, and is a CIRI shareholder.

Staff Sgt. Sharon Louise Padua, of Hillsboro, Ore., serves in the U.S. Army. Padua, 39, is currently stationed in Oregon, and is a CIRI shareholder.

Cpl. Robert Olsen Solomon Bahr accomplishes everything he sets his mind to, says his proud parents, CIRI shareholder George F. Bahr and wife Nathalia. Robert O.S. Bahr graduated from U.S. Marine Corps boot camp on July 2, 2003, earning the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Ribbon, the 2nd Award Rifle Expert and Pistol Sharpshooter. Bahr was promoted first to lance corporal, then to corporal on Dec. 3, 2003. Bahr will be deploying on a U.S. Navy ship to regions unknown in July 2005, with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton, Calif. Bahr was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and graduated from Service High School in 2002.

Michael Owen Read Kent, Utilitiesman Construction Apprentice, E-2, graduated from U.S. Navy boot camp in 2004, after graduating from Kenai High School earlier that year. Kent then completed apprentice school in Texas, and is now at Norfolk, Va. He expects to be shipped out to Kuwait, where he will provide support for the Air Force or the Marines. Kent, 18, was born in Homer, Alaska. His mother is CIRI shareholder Brigitte Armstrong. Kent's favorite activity is the Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska; he has finished every race in the last five years except for one, when he was airlifted off the mountain with a broken leg.

Petty Officer 2nd class Perry Oly Larsen has been on active duty in the U.S. Navy for the last five years. Larsen is an information systems technician currently stationed on the frigate USS Rentz. Larsen, 24, has received the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Larsen was born and raised in Anchorage. His grandmother is CIRI shareholder Mary Dimmick Sorensen, and his mother is Helena Dimmick-Mark. Larsen's family lives in San Diego, and includes his wife, Sierra Rene Larsen; his daughter, Kallina Kay Larsen, 4; and his son, Anthony Kuagak James Larsen, 1.

Pfc. Daniel A. Hymes, 20, is serving his second year in the U.S. Army. Hymes is an MP at Fort Leavenworth Military Prison, Kan. Hymes is the son of Alvin R. Hymes and CIRI shareholder Molly A. (Hootch) Hymes, of Bemidji, Minn.

Staff Sgt. Martin Ernest Teresin Jr., 47, has been serving in the Army National Guard for 30 years. Teresin's hometown is San Bernardino, Calif. He is currently serving in Kosovo for 18 months.

Chief Petty Officer Shawn Wayne Eksak Reynolds, Sr., 39, is currently serving at the U.S. Navy's Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Reynolds Sr.'s many awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy Achievement Medals, the Joint Military Unit Award, Battle E, five Good Conduct Medals, the Naval Expeditionary Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon, two Humanitarian Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, six Sea Service Ribbons with Silver Stars, the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, the Coast Guard Expeditionary Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait), the Naval Rifle Marksmanship Medal (Expert), the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal (Expert), and the U.S. Air Force Air Medal. Reynolds Sr.'s grandmother is CIRI shareholder Mary Dimmick Sorensen, and his mother is Helena Dimmick-Mark.

Sgt. 1st Class Bruce M. Anthony II entered active service in the U.S. Army in June 1991. Anthony, a CIRI shareholder, was born in Anchorage. Anthony is currently stationed in Fort Sill, Okla., as an Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course Instructor. Anthony served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He trained as a Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember, instructor and physical fitness trainer. Anthony has received numerous awards, including induction into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Board. Anthony was selected as Instructor of the Quarter, First Quarter, in 2005, and Instructor of the Cycle, in February 2005. When giving mentoring advice to new noncommissioned officers, Anthony says, "It's easy to tear someone down; it's harder to build them up. Some people refer to those below standard as 'rocks.' Well, if you shape and polish that rock, it may turn into something special, because you see, some rocks are considered precious stones. Like diamonds."

Jared Andre' Sharp Patterson was born on March 11, 1981. Patterson is the son of Carolee R. Sharp Deboer and grandson of Frederick J. Sharp and CIRI shareholder Annette Mae Sharp. Patterson joined the Air Force on May 21, 2001. He is presently stationed at Robbins Air Force Base, repairing equipment on the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System. Patterson will be shipping out to Baghdad, Iraq, soon, at his request.

Chief Petty Officer Jonathan K. Detwiler, 41, is a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the U.S. Navy, which involves neutralizing and disposing of bombs. He is a mixed gas diver, a freefall parachutist, and the enlisted leader for the area response detachment for Naval Station Activity Bahrain. Detwiler has been deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, three times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other places in Europe. Detwiler is currently serving in Bahrain. His awards include the Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Commendation Medals with Valor Devices, the Army Commendation Medal, and Achievement Medals from the Army, Navy, and Joint Operations. Detwiler is from Colorado Springs, Colo., but was born in Anchorage.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Devon Fisk has been serving in the U.S. Navy since June 2001 as a Cryptologic Collection Technician. Fisk, 22, recently signed her re-enlistment papers, reassigning her from Misawa Air Force Base in Japan to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She will complete a six-week training class in Pensacola, Fla., and one month on leave back home in Anchorage, Alaska, before she goes to Hawaii. Fisk, her sister, Shannon, and her brother, Aaron, are CIRI shareholders. Fisk's parents are Fred Meyer and CIRI shareholder Justina Meyer of Anchorage and Rick Fisk of Seattle, Wash. Fisk's grandmother is CIRI shareholder Jennie Larson. Fisk's brother is a U.S. Army veteran, having ended his four-year commitment with the Army in January 2004 and the Army National Guard in January 2005.

Tech Sgt. Timothy L. Hook will have been serving in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years on Oct. 19, 2005. Hook, a CIRI shareholder, has been stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., since Feb. 1991. Hook has been deployed for missions in Kosovo, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Hook's primary job is working on Slick C-130 aircraft, which move support items for troops. Hook has received many awards, including four Aerial Achievement Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor Devices, four Air Force Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal, four Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbons with Gold Borders and two Air Force Longevity Services.

Pfc. Thomas David Yates III, 27, serves in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army, at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. Yates served a year in Iraq. He is the son of CIRI shareholder Janice and Thomas Yates, of Wellston, Okla. Yates' grandmother Virginia McMillan, uncle Ken McMillan, aunt Sue McMillan, and cousins Christine and Chrystal McMillan are residents of Anchorage.

Staff Sgt. Michael Todd Shane serves in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Shane, 34, is a CIRI shareholder from Owyhee, Nev. Shane was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal - Kosovo.

Spc. Curtis T. Boley has given 12 years of service in the Army National Guard. Boley was deployed in March 2004 to Afghanistan, and is expected to return home this summer. Boley, 36, is from Gretna, Va. He is a CIRI shareholder. Boley's wife, Connie, and children, Caitlyn, 10, Christopher, 5, and Casey, 3, proudly support him.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam J. Leggett, 22, is currently on an around-the-world deployment onboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson serving as a Cryptologic Technician. The aircraft carrier departed Jan. 13 from its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., on a mission to the Middle East and is expected at its new home in Norfolk, Va., sometime in August. This is CIRI shareholder Leggett's second deployment. Since enlisting in the U.S. Navy on June 3, 2002, he has received a Good Conduct Medal; Battle "E" ribbon; Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon; National Defense ribbon; Sea Service Ribbon; Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terror Service Medal; Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal; and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pin.

Airman 1st Class Jared Hoyt joined the Air Force in March 2004. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. He is currently stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany for three years. He works for the 32nd Air Operations Squadron at the Help Desk. His squadron is responsible for running the Air Operations Center. This includes monitoring all the U.S. aircrafts in Europe, planning and executing operations, and training personnel. Hoyt and his wife, Ashlee, have lived in Germany for one year.

Do You Know a CIRI Shareholder or Descendant Serving in the Military?

CIRI will recognize and honor the shareholders and descendants serving in the United States military with a special section in the November CIRI Shareholder Update. E-mail or mail information, including full name, age, hometown, branch of military, rank, where they are stationed and any awards or achievements, along with a current photo to aknox@ciri.com or CIRI Newsletter, P.O. Box 93330, Anchorage, AK 99509-3330.