Card of Thanks
Dear Editor: On behalf of the family and friends of Chuck Miller, who have been referred to as the “Chuck Wagon,” we would like to send out some of the many thank yous that are due to the local businesses and entities of Sitka and Southeast Alaska.
Through the very difficult time of losing our friend, father, brother, and leader Chuck Miller, the following entities provided relief to the family in many ways. Please forgive us if there is anyone who we may have unintentionally left out. The outpouring of support has been immeasurable.
Caitlyn Blaisedale who provided two volunteer days to be at the services and photograph those precious moments.
Ryan Morse who attended the community service and volunteered his time to photograph.
Alaska Airlines Sitka Crew for their courtesy during Chuck’s arrival back to Sitka, delaying the outbound flight and silently boarding to allow him space.
Vince Winters from AC Lakeside for donating supplies as needed.
Scott Calhoun at Sitka Bottling and for donating Coke products and water for the memorial events.
Kevin Boddy at Sitka Northern Sales for donating Pepsi products for the events. (Chuck would be very happy that both Coke and Pepsi products were well represented.)
ALL hotels in Sitka that mutually agreed to provide discounts to any person coming into Sitka for the services.
Shee At’iká Treetop Adventures and Carl Lindstrom for providing a van to help transport the many people who came to town for the services for over three days.
The Sheet’ká Kwáan Naa Kahídi Community House and Harrigan Centennial Hall for hosting both the cultural and community events.
Sealaska Heritage Institute who offered to produce and provide any printed products needed for the services including the memorial pamphlets that were handed out during the community service.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska for their donation of crab for the services.
Angie Ketah’s Sitka Flowers and Chocolate Moose for donating the flower arrangements for both services.
Sitka Daily Sentinel for providing assistance editing all of the obituary and program documents.
Pete and Margie Esquiro for providing a vehicle for family members to use.
Harry’s Services for printing the custom ‘‘Chuck Wagon’’ shirts and Ken and Rachel Fate for donating the first 100 T-shirts.
Nick Galanin for his custom Coho and Sun design for the shirts.
Kori Lindstrom for quickly coordinating the T-shirt production.
Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood for donating the ANB Founders Hall and ANS kitchen for open use, donating their time and food, and for hosting the upcoming 40-day party.
Sitka Softball Association, Sitka Elks Lodge 1662, and the Sitka Moose Lodge 1350 for their many fundraising efforts.
Antonio Rosas and staff at Harrigan Centennial Hall for providing a display case for the family to highlight Chuck, and for help with the slide show.
Tlingit and Haida generously provided assistance to Chuck’s sons and daughter-in-law for their travel to Sitka for the services.
Cayla McCutcheon for opening her Airbnb space to the family throughout the week.
Bobby Carroll for processing fish.
Jeremy DeTemple at the Sitka Memorial Park,Trudy Prewitt at Prewitt’s Funeral Home, and Dorothy Orbison at the Sitka Cemetery Association for accommodating services so smoothly and with great kindness.
Former Bill Brady Healing Center staff who reunited and held a beautiful Healing Blanket ceremony with Chuck.
Spenard Builders Supply for donating materials and J.R. Lindstrom for building a new small back deck to make it easier for Chuck’s casket to be brought into the Kayashka Hít, the Platform Coho House.
ANMC, SEARHC and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at the University of Washington Hospital for their extended patience and care for Chuck, his family, and the hundreds of visitors who came to see him.
Tléix’ Shangukeidi (all Eagle clans) who helped support their opposites, especially the L’uknax̱.adi Clan of which Chuck was a member.
Thank you, also, to Sealaska Corporation, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Shee Atika Inc. for their burial assistance funds.
The family greatly appreciates all of the support in services that have been provided and the endless amounts of people who have provided services, food, time, money, and love for the family. There are so many people to thank and we hope not to offend any persons or businesses who we may have missed.
Friends and Family of Chuck Miller,
Daanax.ils’eik, Geistéen
