The Heard Museum honored Native American veterans at its 2019 American Indian Veteran Sunset Tribute for Veteran’s Day.
David Roche, Dickey Family Director and Chief Executive Officer of the museum, opened the event with a speech.
“I’d wish to welcome you to the seventh annual Sunset Tribute to Veterans,” Roche said. “Thank you for being here tonight as we remember and reflect on the outstanding commitments of American Indian veterans, and all veterans, have made to our nation.”
The event took place at the museum’s Freeport-McMoRan Plaza in front of the American Indian Veterans National Memorial. The memorial is recognized as the “first and only known national memorial to American Indian veterans,” according to the Heard Museum’s website.
“This important monument was erected so that we will always remember the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, and to celebrate those American Indian armed service men and women who have given so much to our country,” Roche said.
He added that Native Americans have served in every United States conflict, emphasizing the importance of remembering them.
“It is essential to tell their stories, lift up their service, and remember how much they have given so that future generations may remain great,” Roche said.
Dr. George Blue Spruce of the Ohkay Owingeh tribe led the invocation both in English and in his mother’s dialect, Tewa, which comes from the Pueblo tribe in New Mexico.
“I’m asking the Great Spirit to look upon us this evening and to tell him how grateful we are for his blessing, for this beautiful evening, for all the people who are gathered here, especially those honorees, especially our special honorees being our American Indian veterans,” Blue Spruce said.
He is a Navy veteran. During his deferment from the Korean Conflict, he completed his education at Creighton University for dentistry and was recognized as becoming the first Native American dentist in the United States.
Dr. Wayne Lee Mitchell, a U.S Coast Guard veteran of both the Mandan and Dakota Sioux tribes, led the remarks portion of the event.
“With pride, American Indians celebrate veterans at powwows, parades and other events, such as this event at the Heard Museum,” Mitchell said.
His uncle fought in World War I. At the time, Native Americans were not even allowed to vote.
“Indians weren’t even allowed to vote until 1924. But many Indians served in World War I, even though they didn’t have the right to vote. Indians have always served in the military with pride and honor,” he said.
Mitchell proceeded to read the poem “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon. He dedicated the poem to fallen veterans.
Michael Smith, a Marine Corps veteran in the Navajo Code Talker Commemorative Platoon, gave a keynote speech honoring his father Samuel Jesse Smith, a Marine Navajo Code Talker in World War II.
“He’s my role model, and I can’t imagine how it is to have lived his life and to have joined the Marine Corps when he was 16, and to have gone to battle when he was 17,” Smith said.
Mitchell suggested five ways in which people can celebrate veterans:
Pause for a moment to honor veterans, silently thanking them.
Visit a veteran’s family.
Visit a local VA hospital to say hello to people there.
Visit the closest national cemetery and ask to place flags at headstones or pick a specific solider to honor.
Contact the reporter at imrosale@asu.edu.
