Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 11, 2006 18:05:46 GMT -5
San Ildefonso Pueblo
By NATALIE STOREY | The New Mexican
October 8, 2006
Family celebrates a father�s military retirement and his son�s second tour in Iraq
SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO -- Al Nokusille-Cata's son was 5 months old when he first saw the child more than 30 years ago, after returning from Vietnam.
Having a father who had made a career out of the military meant the boy was often saying goodbye. On Saturday, the father was saying goodbye to the boy, his only son, who grew up to be decorated Army Ranger Anthony Cata.
As the father celebrated his retirement from the military after 35 years, his family also was throwing a goodbye party for Anthony Cata, 31, who is being redeployed to Baghdad. He leaves this week.
"If I could go back with him, I'd do it," said Al Nokusille-Cata at the family's gathering. "It's hard to believe that my son and I are still in the uniform after all these years."
Anthony Cata, who was awarded the Bronze Star during his last tour in Iraq, told a crowd of about 50 people gathered in the gym at San Ildefonso Pueblo that his father has always been his inspiration. Anthony Cata cannot remember when he decided he wanted to be in the military, rather it was something he always knew he would do.
"It's not an easy life growing up in this situation," he said. "But it was my platform, my base, hence my success in my military career."
Al Nokusille-Cata, a member of the Ohkay Owingeh tribe, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970. From there, he joined the Navy and finally, in 1994, the same year his son joined the Army, he joined the National Guard. Al Nokusille-Cata was sent to Iraq in 2003. His son was sent there for the first time in 2004. Since both men know what Anthony Cata is in for this time around, they are anxious, but they accept that it is part of his duty.
"I just pray for his safety, for the safety of his people, of his unit," Al Nokusille-Cata said.
Anthony Cata said he was more nervous for his father, but that he's scared for himself too.
"I didn't know what to expect the first time," he said. "All your life, you have been training for something like this. Then you get there and you think, 'Oh, no.' The second time, you just hope it's not as bad as the first."
The Army Rangers is an elite group, much like the Seals are to the Navy. One of its mottos is, "Mess with the best, die like the rest." During his last tour, Anthony Cata, who had been a drill sergeant in the United States, helped train Iraqi troops who gave him the epithet "Strong like bull."
Although he might be strong, Anthony Cata has three sisters and a mother who worry about him constantly when he is gone. It's a relief they no longer have to worry about two men of the house, but Saturday was still bittersweet.
Pauline Cata, a member of the San Ildefonso tribe, said she had mixed feelings.
"I guess it's finally hit me that he's going to leave real soon," she said. "I think the hardest part is just the fear, not knowing what to expect."
But this is a family that also has a lot to celebrate.
"My family comes from a long line of military people, and we are proud of that," said Clarice Cata-Montoya, Anthony Cata's sister. "We are a strong family."
Al Nokusille-Cata said he plans to do some fishing now that he's retired. And, of course, he will be praying for his son.
Contact Natalie Storey at 986-3026 or nstorey@sfnewmexican.com.