Thomas Mccabe

My name is Thomas McCabe, representing Cameron Chapter on the TCRHCC Board of Director. I grew up in Wupatki National Monument and Black Fall areas in Western Navajo Reservation. My early life I grew up the old Navajo Way. A hard life; but I am thankful for making me a better person. One thing I learned early was to be up before the sun and run to the east. To this day I still get up early and find time to run or hike.

I started school in Tuba City Boarding School in August 1958 after a long wagon ride from Sand Springs. For junior and high school I went to Flagstaff High School staying at Flagstaff Dormitory. During this time I was recognized for my artwork, running and junior/high school basketball. As a junior and senior I joined the Native American for Community Action Board of Director representing the native youth. I did the artwork for the new Indian Center in Fall 1971-Spring 1972 and my work was recognized by the Baltimore Indian Center Director, Herbert Locklear. He offered me a job working with their Center, in June 1972 I took a bus ride to Baltimore, Md. after graduation. My work at the Center was creating artwork(murals) and did a series of painting for their new restaurant. I learned to do the hoop dance and became a member of their dance group. August 1972 I received the Induction Letter to be drafted into the Armed Service and changed my status to enlisted.

After basic training, I trained for my job as a Field Communication/Wireman. My first deployment was to Korea with an Artillery company, where I cross-trained to Field Artilleryman. Later in my reenlistment I trained to be a Radio/TV Systems Specialist. I worked on setting up for military conferences and studio productions making training tapes. Second deployment to Korea, this time I am working in the TV studio for Armed Forces Korea Network. My whole time I worked the night shift as a technician keeping the programs on the air. My last military discharge was on October 1983, by now I had served a total of 14.6 years. This includes the active reserve and standby reserve time. Metals and Ribbons awarded: Oversea Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Metal, Good Conduct Medal(2d), Achievement Metal, Commendation Metal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal. I am a member of the American Legion Post 0100, ID No. 202637982.

I graduated from Haskell Junior College with an Associate degree during a break in my military service in Fall 1977. Finally, I graduated from NAU with a Bachelor degree in Industrial Supervision-Manufacturing in Spring of 1988. I went to work for Tooh Dineh Industries in Leupp, AZ the Fall of 1988. My job was Incoming Inspection/Test Supervisor and two years later I became the Quality Engineer. And three years later we got certified with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (ISO-9002) for our quality systems. Five years later I became the Manufacturing Engineer. It was the extreme work stress that caused me to leave in Summer 2001. After a short break I started work for SCA Tissue operating the converting machines, which was less stressful. I stayed with SCA Tissue for 15 years until I retired in 2017. Other jobs performed in between school or jobs were Chemical Specialist(Power Plant), Coal Lab Technician, TV Station Technician(KNAZ-TV) and Biomedical Tech Assistance.

I have a significant other, a daughter and a son.