Veteran’s Corner Sandra McKinney

The Right Attitude

“Growing your leadership capacity demands personal effectiveness. Being effective is the ability to do the right thing at all times, no matter the cost.”

~~ Benjamin Suulola

By Sandra McKinney

James Eby in his office at Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF)

It is always a pleasure to see a young person with great drive and ambition. One can see that positive energy and attitude in James Eby. This young man of only 29 years exhibits wisdom and a desire to succeed generally found only in a much older person. Strong upbringing, along with moral and spiritual ethics have all played a big part in his presence and in being an “old soul!”

James Eby was born in Gallup, New Mexico, in 1989 at the Indian Health Service Hospital to Joe and Gina Eby. Joe Eby, a silversmith by trade, works with silver and stone, and Gina Eby works with her talents by painting and sculpting with clay. James grew up in a Christian home, as his father was a minister. His father’s ministry took them to numerous different destinations including Durango, Colorado; then on to Rio Rancho, New Mexico; back to Gallup and then to Redding, California.

It was in Redding that James realized his desire to enlist in the United States Military as the very first person in his family to serve. James saw the U.S. Army as an avenue for growth, adventure, and an opportunity for a college education.

“I found my time in the United States Army to be totally satisfying. I truly enjoyed the camaraderie and brotherhood experienced while serving,” James states proudly. Spending a total of nine years on active duty in the Army, Eby achieved the rank of Specialist at his separation date. “I found that army life was actually more simple than civilian life; the pay was good; the personal responsibilities were minimal without the need to pay for rent, food, or utilities. It felt good each day to know exactly what was expected of me and to follow the rules and the daily regimen,” Eby explains. “Now the professional responsibilities were considerably more demanding with the first priority being the art of survival!” Eby was initially stationed at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina where he trained as a paratrooper and as an instructor in hand-tohand combat and small arms use. He was also trained in specialty marksman classes. He was deployed with his Unit 18th Airborne Corps to Kuwait where he shared his training with others. “I learned early on while training others that no one is treated differently; I trained women, men, senior officers, and they all received the same respect and the same level of training,” states Eby. “I think one of the biggest challenges I encountered, though, was seeing new recruits come in with such an entitlement attitude. We were there to take orders and to do a job, but some thought it was beneath them,” Eby says with a perplexed look. Additional time was then spent stateside at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, from where Eby was deployed to Iraq. “I worked as a

diesel technician and performed maintenance on vehicles and also worked with a convoy security team as a gunner,” Eby states matter-of-factly. “I was sent to Kandahar and Herat Providence in Afghanistan where I worked a recovery truck with the primary duty to pick up broke-down or blownup equipment. It wasn’t often, but sometimes the recovery work could include humans,” Eby shrugs about that additional sad duty.

There are opportunities for a college education while serving in the military and Eby took advantage of that earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

James Eby spent nine years of his life in active duty with the United States Army, seeing war and its tragic actions. He came close to being career Army, but spent his last 4 years of service in Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. Those years on the “rock” was a time for reflection and rejuvenation, and brought about the decision to leave the Army. James spent some time in Canyon Lake, Texas, where his parents now live; there he worked IT for Frontier Internet. James states proudly, “This was a new area for me, but my dad always instilled in me that if you can read…you can do anything!” But Gallup was calling him back, and he returned in 2016.

“I had been dating Emerald Hengel long distance for a while, and I had known her since we were tots, so it was an easy decision to return to Gallup to be with her,” James smiles. “A funny memory; Emerald’s mom has a video of me and Emerald ‘getting married’ when we were two and three years old! So, it just seemed right for us to actually tie the matrimonial knot on Valentine’s Day in 2017.”

James worked for Verizon when he first returned to Gallup. This job was a coincidental catalyst to his current position with Southwest Indian Foundation. Bill McCarthy (Director of SWIF) had gone to Verizon for a new phone, and James was the technician helping him. McCarthy was so impressed with James that he offered him a job! James Eby now holds the title of Project Manager for SWIF. You might call this a catch-all title, as James has a myriad of responsibilities; he oversees the Train Station building, the Music Shop where he has implemented a program with used musical instruments that are for sale to new students and experienced players alike; he is bringing back a smaller scale gift shop which sells items available from the SWIF catalogue. James played a big part in the new coveted skateboard park and the skateboard paraphernalia shop on the premises. On a much larger scale, he works with the Military personnel who come to Gallup to build houses for native residents on the reservation. This description is very brief compared to the many facets of his duties.

“I like working in the non-profit sector,” explains Eby. “I truly am excited to go to work each day, and I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing. I am justly blessed with the opportunities provided by Bill McCarthy and SWIF.” Eby is a true Patriot and is fiercely loyal to God and Country. James has followed his up-bringing and presents Sunday Church Services at the Gallup Cultural Center in the upstairs portion of the building.

As if he is not busy enough with his demanding job and his growing family, he has returned to college to obtain his second Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Oh, and besides all that, James finds time for creativity in crafting beautiful knives.

If you happen upon this serious and intense young man, stop, and give him a smile and a handshake. James Eby is an up-and-coming name in our community. You never know – you may just see his name on a future ballot for a political position.

Eby during his last reenlistment in Afghanistan flying in a Eurostar Helicopter which was owned and operated by contractor company Bear Defense. This is one of Eby’s handcrafted bowie knives. The handle is stabilized Spalted Maple