***********************************************************
Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:
A couple of hours ago, I, and a newly admitted resident, went downstairs to go for a drive, as he wanted to familiarize himself with the area.
As we walked past the entrance to our mess hall, I was stunned to see the notice announcing the death of Command Master Chief Petty Officer James Dale "Jimmy Two Feathers" Fairbanks, United States Navy, who was our ombudsman here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Chief Fairbanks, who is survived by his widow, Denise Fairbanks, of 757 Glen Valley Way, in Gulfport, Mississippi, died suddenly on Wednesday 25 May 2011 in Mobile, Alabama.
Chief Fairbanks is also survived by his children, Tommy and Debbie Spiers of Gulfport, Mississippi, James and Jobeth Avdoyan of Jackson, Mississippi, Homer and Michele Walden of Las Vegas, Nevada, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, siblings, Pamela Fairbanks, Timothy Fairbanks, Tom Fairbanks, Margaret Eichiens, Vicki Sternburg, Paulette Molin, Charles Fairbanks, Karen Fairbanks, Rena Vizenor, William Henry, Joyce Yellowhammer, Betty Vern, and Joanne Peters.
There will be a viewing on Wednesday 01 June 2011 from 1000 Hours (i.e., 10:00 AM) until 1300 Hours (i.e., 1:00 PM) at the Bradford - O'Keefe Funeral Home, located at 1726 Fifteenth Street in Gulfport, Mississippi, to be followed immediately by the funeral service, which will be conducted at that same location.
Burial, with full military honors, will be at 1430 Hours (i.e., 2:30 PM) in the Biloxi National Cemetery, located at 400 Veterans Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations are requested for the Navy - Marine Corps Relief Society.
Here is the official, although slightly out of date, United States Navy biography of Chief Fairbanks:
and
of the Seabees
Force Master Chief Fairbanks is a Chippewa Indian. He was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November 1970. After completing basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he received orders to Second Battalion of the Eleventh Marines (2/11), Camp Pendleton, California. Corporal Fairbanks was honorably discharged in September 1972.
As a civilian, Master Chief Fairbanks was employed with American Iron and Supply Company as a welder and Union Steward until December 1976.
He returned to active duty in the United States Navy in January 1977, and was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion Two, Little Creek, Virginia. After completing a two-year tour, he was honorably discharged January 1979.
He then returned to work for American Iron and Supply Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota until August 1986.
CMDCM Fairbanks re-enlisted in the United States Navy September 1986 and was assigned to NMCB ONE, Gulfport, Mississippi, until February 1990. He received orders to the Naval Construction Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. His next duty station was Public Works Department, Keflavik, Iceland. Upon completion of a thirty-month tour, he transferred to NMCB 133, where he served until January 1999.
He then reported to the Naval Construction Training Center in March 1999, and served as the Command Master Chief until May 2001. He reported to NMCB-1 May 2001 and served with the "First and the Finest" until December 2002 and then transferred to the Twenty-Second Naval Construction Regiment. After completing a three year tour, he was selected as the Force Master Chief for the Seabees and is currently serving with NAVFACENGCOM in Washington, D.C.
Master Chief Fairbanks is a graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 85, Green Group. He has earned an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix, Arizona.
Master Chief Fairbanks is designated a Seabee Combat Warfare and Master Training Specialist. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various service and unit awards.
"GO, MY SON"
(Composer Unknown - - - To Me)
SPOKEN:
"Long ago, a warrior chief
Counselled his people.
He wisely told them,
'Education is a ladder
Which leads to happiness.
Go, and climb that ladder.' "
SING:
Go, my son.
Go and climb the ladder.
Go, my son.
Grow and earn your feather.
Go, my son.
Make your people
Proud of you!
Work, my son.
Get an education.
Work, my son.
Learn a good vocation.
Climb, my son.
Go and take a lofty view.
From on the ladder
Of an education,
You can see
To help your Indian nation.
Reach, my son,
And lift your people
Up with you.
REPEAT:
Thank you.
1800 Beach Drive,
Unit 311
***********************************************************
***********************************************************
