By John Hood
The Soaring Eagles program received a call from Navy SEAL Master Chief Santos Trujillo, Apache (1/8) and Choctaw (1/8) American Indian, 24 years Navy veteran; requested American Indians help celebrate his retirement. Mr. John Hood, Dine’ nation, U.S. Marine veteran, organized the American Indian participants for the retirement celebration; performers included, Richard Van Dyke Parker, Omaha and Merlin James Kickingwoman Jr., Blackfeet; singers Terry Hinsley, Richard De Crane, and Ben Nance. The special guest was Mr. Joe Renteria, age 99 years young, a Navy/Army veteran, who witnessed the nuclear testing in the Pacific. Also in attendance were Ms. Joyce Van Dyke Parker, daughter Jeanette Hamilton, and Ms. Rose Davis, editor, owner of “Indian Voices.”
The Friday morning beach was warm and cloudy but as the ceremony progressed the sun joined the ceremony on the Silver Strand, a beautiful day for a celebration of life. SCPO Jason L. Leonhardt organized the Naval ceremony and was the Master of Ceremony. After the opening of the ceremony and acknowledgements the invocation was delivered in Dine’ language by John Hood, a prayer song, followed by a “Flag” song. The dancers (Richard/Merlin) performed two dances which highlighted the ceremony for Master Chief Santos Trujillo’s family and his life-long family, the Navy SEALS.
Master Chief Trujillo had multiple combat tours to the Middle East, his Navy Corpsman training was executed aiding his comrades; one incident, his innovative prowess he used a couple of kotex to apply bandages to a wounded soldier to stop the bleeding. Throughout his services his achievements and accolades held the utmost respect as a leader with the Navy SEALS. Navy SEALS undergo vigorous dueling bouts with mental and physical conditioning, countless hours’ classroom training, martial arts, medical applications, weaponry skills and strategic planning.
Master Chief Trujillo’s detailed, technical support enabled a progressive innovative element to streamline technical elements. His Navy friends and co-workers only wish he could extend his services, his expertise, professionalism and friendship would have a tremendous void but there’s equally trained Navy personnel he trained to fill the void. His private life will continue to be in the technical field as a consultant; with less constraints fulfilling home life with his family.
Master Chief Trujillo grew up in Manzano, New Mexico, a mountain region south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Within New Mexico there are two Apache nations; the Jicarilla Apaches near Dulce, New Mexico and the Mescalero Apaches northeast of Tularosa, New Mexico. Other Apache nations are San Carlos Apaches east of San Carlos, Arizona. Fort Apache nation southwest of McNary, Arizona. Three federally recognized Choctaw nations are; The Choctaw nations, Durant Oklahoma., Jena Band of Choctaw, Creola, Louisiana, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw. These are the lineage of Santos Trujillo from his maternal grandmother roots.
His competitiveness with a hometown friend developed immeasurable optimism, essential traits with core values for a career that has been challenging in the Navy; he didn’t know how to swim. His hometown friend endeared severe health issues, his brother, that balanced and helped formed his youth, today they still share laughter and humor. His family ties and upbringing motivated his desire to excel in any field he wanted, he lost his father as a youngster. He thanked his step-father, his mom for the love and support they’ve shared. He had a special blessing for his wife who he deemed to have endeared his absence, fears, frustrations and anxieties, he played a special song as an offering to interpret some of his emotions. Veterans undergo deep loneliness isolated from their family when deployed around the globe, their family, especially wives that log endless moments and times managing family life alone in the absence of their husband. An exemplary characteristic and devotion that weaves every fiber of love, hope, desires and aspirations that provides unfathomable respect and optimism. The Trujillo have two sons, one still a teenager and the other 22 years of age. Many of his families received special recognitions and certificates, as some of his Navy co-workers and presiding officers. Members of the Trujillo family trekked their way into San Diego from New Mexico and were awed by Native presentations for the ceremony. Currently Trujillo is coaching a North Island teen rugby team, a weekly endeavor by the Trujillo family.
Trujillo’s last words were, “I will be in to work early Monday morning! Which was his last day as a Navy SEAL.
