Veterans Day November 2009

By Roy Cook, redactor

This American hemisphere has always been Indian land. Indian Warriors have always defended this Indian Land. Along with our Military Sisters and Brothers in arms, let us remember this Military Veterans Day. Pray for all our troops in harms way now.

On Veterans Day, ask yourself and others. What Is A Veteran?

A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve military is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.'

That is honor and duty. We painfully realize that there are still too many people that enjoy freedom in this country today yet no longer understand that, freedom is not free.

Fortunately, our military is made up of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. Fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title “military veteran.” And what a list of accomplishments can those 10 percent claim!

From defeating Communism, Fascism and Imperialism, to keeping the peace during the Cold War and battling terrorism today, America owes a debt to her veterans that can never be repaid.

When remembering the millions of people who have been liberated by American forces around the globe from history’s most evil oppressors.

We must heed the words of our first Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington who said, “The willingness with which our young people will fight in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.”

Born of their extraordinary accomplishments comes our extraordinary debt. And part of that debt is owed to the military families who have sacrificed so much for their country. We must honor all of these families and not just with Blue and Gold Star Banners, but with compassionate hearts. PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and life-altering war wounds not only affect the veteran, but can also take an enormous toll on the family as well.

While veterans are often ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things, often an extraordinary family supports the ordinary veteran. And in reality, it is the veterans that have given us this extraordinary country.

In every language:

English: We support our warriors. - God Bless America!

Cherokee: "Aniyosgi Dotsigusdaa. - Unelanvhi Wigadoligi Ama Ayetli"

Lakota: "Nahan Akicita unkitawapi ki Owicikiunyapi kte. - Wakan Tanka makoce ki la waste kte"

Oodham: “Ahchim dagiod s-chu cheggiaDkam – Jiosh ho’ige’id jeweD”

Lt. Jack Montgomery, Cherokee
Lt. Col. Leaford Bearskin, Wyandotte
Cpl. Ira Hayes, Akimel Oodham
Lt. Col. Ernest Childers, Creek
Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, Coeur d’Alene
Lt. Van Barfoot, Choctaw
Cpl. Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., Winnebago
Pvt. Charles George, Cherokee
Maj. Gen. Clarence L. Tinker, Osage
Admiral Joseph J. “Jocko” Clark, Cherokee
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Cheyenne
Capt. Raymond Harvey, Chickasaw

All are American Indian Warriors.

VETERANS DAY US Census information:

24.9 million is the number of military veterans in the United States.

1.7 million is the number of veterans who are women.

9.7 million is the number of veterans who are age 65 or over.

2.4 million is the number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are Hispanic; 272,000 are Asian; 159,000 are American Indian or Alaska native; and 30,000 are native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska natives and native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders cover only those reporting a single race.)

8.2 million is the Number of Vietnam-era veterans. Vietnam veterans account for more than 3-in-10 veterans, the largest share of any period of service. The next largest share of wartime veterans, 4.4 million or nearly 2-in-10, served during World War II.

16% is the Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans who are women. In contrast, women account for 5 percent of World War II vets, 3 percent of Vietnam vets and 2 percent of Korean War vets.

Fortunately, our military is made up of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. Fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title “military veteran.”

While the generations may change, many of the reasons Native Tribal people join the Armed Forces remain the same today—an opportunity to better themselves, see the world, and make a positive contribution to this country.

From defeating Communism, Fascism and Imperialism, to keeping the peace during the Cold War and battling terrorism today, America owes a debt to her veterans that can never be repaid.

While veterans are often ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things, often an extraordinary family supports the ordinary veteran. And it is the veterans that have fought to give us this extraordinary country.

Even though political tides and public sentiment may render a war unpopular, they do not affect a Warrior’s commitment to serve their country. We welcome our Warriors home regardless of the politics of the war in which they fought.

American Indian Veterans' Rights

As an American Indian veteran of United States military service, I believe that I deserve:

1. To receive for having sacrificed for and served my country, for putting my life on hold in order to serve, for volunteering to and perhaps having gone “in harm’s way, and for the sacrifices of my loved ones.

2. To be kept informed of the veterans benefits and programs for which I am eligible at every level of government.

3. To have employment opportunities at least equal to those of my peers who did not serve, and to be employed at a level commensurate with my knowledge, skills, abilities and experience.

4. To receive educational benefits to provide me with the training and education to be a fully productive, contributing citizen of the Country for which I sacrificed.

5. To receive timely disability compensation for injuries, including psychological injuries, which were incurred during the course of my service and compassionate, timely, and professional treatment for them.

Finally: The opportunity to be buried in a state or national veterans’ cemetery.