Captain Anneliese Satz with her husband Anthony Pompei and Chairman Devon Boyer.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council honored Captain Anneliese Satz, Shoshone-Bannock and her husband Anthony Pompei September 15 who are both U.S. Marine pilots serving in Japan.
The pair were home briefly and made the stop in Fort Hall to visit with Boyer family members.
Fort Hall Business Council member Devon Boyer said the Tribes are very happy to offer prayer for those serving this country, “It can be a major task and throughout times a lot of our tribal members have paid the ultimate price and there are those that were fortunate to come home.” “We offer prayer for every one of them, each and every day because we know how important it is,” he said. He pointed to the plaques hanging in the Tribal Council Chambers in all of the efforts to support military and all of the people in protecting and serving our country.
“We’re very honored to have you here, members of your family and everyone that is gathered here today we have a celebration of this honor,” Boyer continued. “We’re glad that you’re here, you’re both stationed in Japan, that’s some pretty tough territory right now. In our prayers we always say we want you to come home, we thank you for everything you do for all of us.”
Captain Satz and her mother Tzo Nah, whose parents are Edward and Olive Boyer.
Boyer presented Anneliese and her husband gifts on behalf of the Tribes including a tribal flag in appreciation, along with all members of the military they work with, in protection and to thank them.
Jessica James, Tribal Youth Education manager, also presented each with certificates of recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty and for our country.
Each were presented with beaded items as gifts.
FHBC secretary Lee Juan Tyler said a war journey song saying long time ago to the old people used to go from camp to camp with provisions.
FHBC Chairman Boyer presents Satz with a gift.
Anneliese said she’s honored to be in Fort Hall, “We really appreciate this and it means a lot, thank you.”
She explained both she and Anthony are stationed in Japan and will be there for a few years out in the Pacific. They fly F35 jets off of LHA and LHD ships that have enlarged hangar decks. The jet has vertical landing capability that gives the opportunity to deploy with the ship.
“It’s a great job and it’s an honor to be able to serve our country in that way – a fun and challenging way,” she said.
Anneliese is the first woman to pilot the jet but once she got through the program, there’s more women in the pipeline now.
She said tries to do well so no one is disappointed in her, is proud of herself and it’s important to have your family proud of you “It’s fun in the military because everyone comes from such diverse backgrounds.,” she continued. “The nature of the job, we all have a common experience that you bring all these people of all diverse backgrounds together — we all work together for the most part.”