Honoring the Achievements of Native Americans in the Military

Date:

(Honoring Native Americans)

Native Americans serve in the U. S. military at a higher rate per capita than any other population group and have done so since the American Revolution. Yet there is no monument or memorial in the Nation’s capital that commemorates the contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who have served in the U. S. Armed Forces. This is finally changing, as the first memorial to their service is being built.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian recently broke ground on the National Native American Veterans Memorial, which will be dedicated on Nov. 11, 2020, Veteran’s Day, in a public ceremony at the museum.

“Throughout history, Native Americans have answered the call to serve in our nation’s armed forces,” says Kevin Gover (Pawnee), director of the National Museum of the American Indian. “This memorial will remind everyone who visits it of the service and patriotism of Native veterans and their families.”

A visit to Washington, D. C., is a great opportunity to experience U. S. history firsthand. The city is filled with grand monuments, world-class museums and memorials honoring those whose life’s work was in service to the nation.

Among the most visited memorials in the city are those honoring the nation’s veterans and the sacrifices they have made in service to the country. On any given day, thousands visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial, among others, remembering those who served. And soon, these same visitors, will be able to visit one honoring the military service of Native Americans.

The new memorial, which was commissioned by Congress to give “all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States,” will be located on the grounds of the museum, within sight of the U. S. Capitol Building. It will be the first national landmark in Washington, D. C. to focus on the contribution of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who have served in the military.

The memorial design by Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes of Oklahoma), a multimedia artist, retired forensic artist and Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, features an elevated stainless-steel circle resting on an intricately carved stone drum. It also incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches for gatherings and four lances where veterans, family members, tribal leaders and others can tie cloths for prayers and healing.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Honoring Native Americans

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe to The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Popular

More like this
Related

VA adds three new Vet Centers and six satellite locations to increase access to counseling for Veterans and service members

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the addition of three new Vet Centers and six Vet Center Outstations (smaller satellite locations) to improve access to counseling for Veterans and service members.

Punting and painting keep kids busy at Soboba

Amid mild temperatures and windy conditions, players from ages 14-18 took to the football field at The Oaks on the Soboba Indian Reservation to participate in the 2023 Soboba Youth Turkey Bowl on Nov. 21. Steve Lopez, Assistant Director for Soboba Parks and Recreation and Harold Arres, Regional TANF Manager for Soboba Tribal TANF, collaborated on a day of fun for youth that were off school for the week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The debate over Ukraine aid was already complicated. Then it became tangled up in US border security

As war and winter collide, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged during a recent visit to Washington that the days ahead “will be tough” as his country battles Russia while U.S. support from Congress hangs in the balance.

A millennial nurse who moved from Tennessee to California said his new state is much more working-class friendly

Matthew, 38, was working in northeast Tennessee as an orderly at a hospital when he realized he could live a less stressful, more lucrative life in another state doing the same work.