James Rodell
His kind, steady manner plus integrity was a blessing for me to experience during a couple of journeys in the Southwest.
I met Hollis circa 1988 in Sedona, Arizona. He was staying at the home of Ramona Coyote, who held gatherings to celebrate Native American ways. He was a maker of wooden flutes. During our travels to Zuni, Hopi and Albuquerque, he shared stories of his earlier life as he continued working on a flute.
A most striking story had to do with his U.S. Army service during the WWII battle of Okinawa. His squad was prepared for a final banzai assault by the Japanese troops near the end of the campaign. He and his fellow machine gun crews were given extra ammunition and barrels plus asbestos cloth to buffer their hands when replacing the barrels after they super-heated from firing at wave after wave of their foes charging them all night long, until they were no more.
Another unforgettable story that he shared had to do with a long ago situation involving the Red Lake Band of the Chippewa nation. (Forgive my not using the preferred name that I am unable to spell correctly.) He said that one clan within the tribe repeatedly violated the ethos despite several warnings. The people invited those clan members to a celebration in the longhouse one evening. After all were present and feasting, the tribal members not of that clan stepped out of the longhouse one by one, then blocked the exits and set fire to the building.
When visiting Albuquerque, an acquaintance named Maryann Neri joined us in some activities and meals. As she was an Army veteran who had spent much time in the Middle East, she told us how fond he was of the Turkish people. When we bid farewell, Hollis and I stood at attention and saluted Maryanne as she walked between us to her car. She was tickled.
I am blessed to have been with Hollis for an all too brief but rewarding time. May he continue being with Spirit.
A most striking story had to do with his U.S. Army service during the WWII battle of Okinawa. His squad was prepared for a final banzai assault by the Japanese troops near the end of the campaign. He and his fellow machine gun crews were given extra ammunition and barrels plus asbestos cloth to buffer their hands when replacing the barrels after they super-heated from firing at wave after wave of their foes charging them all night long, until they were no more.
Another unforgettable story that he shared had to do with a long ago situation involving the Red Lake Band of the Chippewa nation. (Forgive my not using the preferred name that I am unable to spell correctly.) He said that one clan within the tribe repeatedly violated the ethos despite several warnings. The people invited those clan members to a celebration in the longhouse one evening. After all were present and feasting, the tribal members not of that clan stepped out of the longhouse one by one, then blocked the exits and set fire to the building.
When visiting Albuquerque, an acquaintance named Maryann Neri joined us in some activities and meals. As she was an Army veteran who had spent much time in the Middle East, she told us how fond he was of the Turkish people. When we bid farewell, Hollis and I stood at attention and saluted Maryanne as she walked between us to her car. She was tickled.
I am blessed to have been with Hollis for an all too brief but rewarding time. May he continue being with Spirit.
