Historian

Honor Dance for Soldier - Spl. Joshua P. Stein
The Native American Times - 19 February 2007
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp...rticle_id=8608

http://www.nativetimes.com/newsphotos/soldierweb.jpg

On February 9, 2007 at Ft. Hood, Texas, U.S. Army Spl. Joshua P. Stein received a "Purple Heart", the "Bronze Star", and the "Combat Action Badge" for his service in Iraq.

Stein is attached to E Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and was deployed December 12, 2005 from Ft. Hood, Texas to Camp Taji, Iraq.

On Easter morning of 2006 Josh was injured in Taji, Iraq. He was the driver of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while on patrol. Josh lost both legs, broke both arms, and sustained burns to his face and neck. After going through surgery in Germany he was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX where he spent four weeks in ICU going through surgery everyday on his limbs, both arms, skin grafts and burns. The family was told on top of all this he sustained injuries to his right eye and right ear drum which the physicians diagnosed nerve damage or paralysis in his left arm.

Stein is still recovering and rehabilitating at Brooke Army Medical Center with a positive attitude with his wife Nikki, daughter's Rachel who is 3 years old, and a new daughter, Jasmine who is 6 months old; his sister Savannah, and father Jesse by his side. His positive attitude has helped other injured soldiers at this hospital by giving hope to his battle buddies/ brothers and by doing this Josh has proven to himself that this will not keep him down.

Stein was born in Lawton, OK on September 25, 1983 to Sandra Kaulaity and Jesse Stein. He attended schools in San Diego, CA, Perkins, OK and graduated in Saipan, MP in 2004. Josh is a member of the Pawnee Nation and also of Kiowa, Cheyenne, Oglala Sioux, Otoe, and Iowa descent.

His maternal grandparents are Yvonne Leading Fox Kaulaity of Perkins, OK and Herschel Kaulaity of Bakersfield, CA.

He is the great-grandson of Rose Greany Tall Bear (Cheyenne) and Elton Kaulaity (Kiowa); and Lillie Carson Morgan (Otoe) and Chester Leading Fox (Pawnee).

His paternal grandparents are Selina Pangelinan Stein of San Diego, CA and Jesse B. Stein of Hayward, CA.

Stein has been called the "Miracle Patient", by his physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, and other medical staff by his fast recovery. With his miraculous recovery he has been interviewed by Newsweek Magazine, Associated Press, MSNBC News (during the opening of the new Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, TX) and other media for his amazing story. He was selected to travel to Alabama back in September 2006 to participate in a retreat for disabled soldiers called "Operation Adventure" where he learned how to water ski on one ski. Another challenge that he has chosen was to travel to Colorado Springs, CO to train for the Paralympics.

The Honor Dance for U.S. Army Spl. Joshua P. Stein will take place Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the Concho Community Hall, in Concho, Oklahoma. They will have a meal at noon and the gourd dancing is from 1:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Hammond Motah & Eddie Wilson are master of ceremonies.
Joe Fish Dupoint and Millard Clark are Head Singers.
Gene Big Soldier, Sr. is the Head Gourd Dancer.
Head Lady Dancer is Georgia Harris-Noble.
Color Guards are Pawnee Veterans, Buddy Bond Color Guard & Ponca Indian Post 38.
Honored Elders are Edwin & Margie Pewo.
Arena Directors are Michael White Cloud & Gary Gover.

NAT Article#: 8608

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"Be good, be kind, help each other. Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."
--Abe Conklin, Ponca/Osage (1926-1995)