AFTER 4th TOUR in MIDDLE EAST; GREETED BY PUEBLO OF ISLETA COLOR GUARD AND MEMBERS OF THE NAVAJO NATION & BLUE STAR MOTHERS

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – December 12, 2014 – First Class Sgt. Oliver Arviso will get a hearty welcome on Saturday as 30 members of his family, the Pueblo of Isleta Color Guard and members of the Blue Star Mothers greet Arviso as he arrives here after serving in Afghanistan with the New York-based 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade.
Arviso, who grew up in Ft. Defiance, Ariz., will be arriving at the Albuquerque International Sunport and greeted by his 92-year-old grandfather, Wilson Arviso, a WWII Air Force veteran. The sergeant chose to fly into Albuquerque because his grandfather wanted to make the trip to see his grandson. Arviso left to aid in combat support in Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2013. The sergeant oversaw nine platoons or 186 soldiers and has been serving in the reserves since 1990. This is his fourth tour serving in the Middle East.
Other family members will drive to the Duke City from Flagstaff and Phoenix to greet their brother, nephew and uncle. Members of the Blue Star Mothers, a support organization for mothers who have children serving in the military, will also greet Arviso. The sergeant’s mother, Katherine D. Arviso, started the first Blue Star Mothers organization on the Navajo Nation more than 20 years ago. His mother said she plans a traditional Navajo welcoming for her by butchering a sheep in January.

WHAT:      Honor and hug Sgt. Arviso for the first time in nearly two years
WHERE:   Albuquerque International Support
WHEN:     2:43 p.m. Saturday, December 13 on US Airways Flight #6572

ABOUT THE SOUTHWEST NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
The Southwest Native American Veterans Association (SWNAVA) is a newly-created organization with a mission to educate and assist Native veterans and their families with service benefits.

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Contact:  Carlene Aragon, (505) 917-1262 orcarlenejaragon@msn.com