A Time for Honoring Ancestors
Memorial Day is a time to honor those that have served the country through military service. Washington, DC renewed its Memorial Day parade in 2004 after nearly 70 years of its absence. Amongst the men and women in uniform was a small group of American Indian dancers dressed in traditional wardrobe. Their presence was a reminder of the service provided by so many American Indians.
In a recent article about the American Indian perspective about Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal’s lie about his military service, a distinguished veteran remarked “more Native Americans serve in the military than any other demographic group. We Native people have given our lives disproportionately in the military to protect the rights of people of this country.” Movies like Windtalkers have highlighted the Navajo contribution to defeating the Japanese in World War II, but there have been numerous other contributions. A study prepared for the Department of Defense in 1996 estimated that 12,000 American Indians served in World War I even though some may have not been considered U.S. citizens because the Snyder Act granting citizenship was not passed until 1924. In World War II, 44,000 American Indians out of a population of 350,000 served in the military. Many came back with a deep sense of patriotism to the United States despite the intolerance they faced in the military.
American Indian patriotism and defense of the United States has been constant. The Veterans of Foreign Wars released a study entitled “Indians Answer Call When Nation’s at War.” The study estimates that 95,000 American Indians have served in the U.S. wars since World War I. In the current Iraq War, at least 39 American Indians have given their lives.
To remember the many that have served, one American Indian group, the American Indian Society of Washington, DC has created a Veteran’s Wall that they recently dedicated on May 9, 2010. American Indians will continue to demonstrate both their dedication to their tribe and their commitment and patriotism to the United States. In the tradition of remembering the ancestors, Memorial Day is a wonderful opportunity to remember those that have served in the military.
In a recent article about the American Indian perspective about Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal’s lie about his military service, a distinguished veteran remarked “more Native Americans serve in the military than any other demographic group. We Native people have given our lives disproportionately in the military to protect the rights of people of this country.” Movies like Windtalkers have highlighted the Navajo contribution to defeating the Japanese in World War II, but there have been numerous other contributions. A study prepared for the Department of Defense in 1996 estimated that 12,000 American Indians served in World War I even though some may have not been considered U.S. citizens because the Snyder Act granting citizenship was not passed until 1924. In World War II, 44,000 American Indians out of a population of 350,000 served in the military. Many came back with a deep sense of patriotism to the United States despite the intolerance they faced in the military.
American Indian patriotism and defense of the United States has been constant. The Veterans of Foreign Wars released a study entitled “Indians Answer Call When Nation’s at War.” The study estimates that 95,000 American Indians have served in the U.S. wars since World War I. In the current Iraq War, at least 39 American Indians have given their lives.
To remember the many that have served, one American Indian group, the American Indian Society of Washington, DC has created a Veteran’s Wall that they recently dedicated on May 9, 2010. American Indians will continue to demonstrate both their dedication to their tribe and their commitment and patriotism to the United States. In the tradition of remembering the ancestors, Memorial Day is a wonderful opportunity to remember those that have served in the military.
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