Honoring the Legacy of Vietnam Veteran Ernest Villa, aka “Uncle Jim”

🌟 Honoring the Legacy of Vietnam Veteran Ernest Villa, "Uncle Jim" 🇺🇸

Today, we pay our deepest respects to the late Ernest Villa, known to us as "Uncle Jim." He was a remarkable soul who exemplified the strength and resilience of our Chihene Nde Nation and the enduring spirit of our people. 🙏

Uncle Jim's journey was a unique one, as he was initially a pacifist, but he chose to follow the path expected by his family tradition. He found himself in Da Nang during the Vietnam War, where he worked tirelessly on the ground with artillery, despite his pacifist beliefs.

Tragically, Uncle Jim witnessed a horrific event when all of his fellow GI's were killed right before his eyes, leaving him alone with the artillery and orders to continue firing. This traumatic experience haunted him for the rest of his life.

On December 20, 2020, it is believed that Uncle Jim succumbed to COVID in a Veteran's home, adding to the profound challenges he faced throughout his life.

In his honor, his sister, Elder on the Ojo Caliente Restoration Society and Tribal Historian Audrey Espinoza, made a heartfelt donation to support the CNNNM Tribe. This gift, on behalf of Uncle Jim and of all the veterans of our nation, past and present, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by wounded warriors like him and their vital role in the journey to regain the sovereignty of our Nation. 🌄

Let us remember Uncle Jim's resilience and sacrifice as we continue our pursuit of sovereignty and justice for the Chihene Nde Nation.

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