Cherokee honors veterans on 75th Anniversary

by Nov 11, 2013Front Page, NEWS ka-no-he-da0 comments

 

ol. Bob Blankenship (Ret.) (right) and Sgt. Clifford Long salute as they place a wreath, along with Maj. William Underwood, during the annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on Monday, Nov. 11.  (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)

Col. Bob Blankenship (Ret.) (right) and Sgt. Clifford Long salute as they place a wreath, along with Maj. William Underwood, during the annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on Monday, Nov. 11. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)

By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.

ONE FEATHER STAFF

 

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, 1919 as Armistice Day honoring and recognizing the victory in Europe during World War I.  Almost 19 years later, on May 13, 1938, Congress passed an Act making Nov. 11  each year a legal holiday that would be known as Armistice Day, aka Veteran’s Day.

Col. Blankenship presents an American Legion Distinguished Achievement Award to Beloved Woman Myrtle Driver.

Col. Blankenship presents an American Legion Distinguished Achievement Award to Beloved Woman Myrtle Driver.

Now, 75 years later, Veteran’s Day celebrations are held all over the country and Cherokee honored its veterans with an event held Monday, Nov. 11 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.

“I want to thank all of the veterans for their service,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks.

Women in Leadership was a major theme of Monday’s event and the following women were honored for their service to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians:  former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan, Darlene Whitetree, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kina Wilnoty Swayney, Tribal Council Chairwoman Terri Henry, Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke, Dr. Carmalita Monteith, Norma Holt Moss, Brenda Oocumma, Dr. Jo Blaylock, Marie Junaluska, Beloved Woman Myrtle Driver, and Phyllis Shell.

The Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 Color Guard opens the program with the posting of the colors.

The Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 Color Guard opens the program with the posting of the colors.

“I’d like to think that today I’ve learned something from each one of them,” noted Chief Hicks.

Lew Harding, Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 Commander, commented, “Public honors should be given where public honor is due, and this day is long overdue.  A time or two, or sometimes ten, they had to kick in the door to the good ol’ boys network and they did so with honor and grace.”

Each of the women received an American Legion Distinguished Achievement Award consisting of a medal and a certificate.

Monday’s event was opened with the posting of the colors by the Post 143 Color Guard followed by the singing of the National Anthem by EBCI tribal member Yona Wade.  Ray Kinsland gave the invocation and Marie Junaluska offered the Cherokee prayer.

Special awards were given to the American Legion Firefighter of the Year – Charles Bronson and the American Legion EMS Person of the Year – Christopher McCoy.  The American Legion Police Officer of the Year award will be given out at a later date.

In welcoming everyone to the event, Commander Harding noted, “They (veterans) interrupted their lives to protect our freedom.  They fought with their minds and their hearts and bodies.  Many have given their lives for the sacrifice of freedom.”

Beloved Man Jerry Wolfe, a WWII U.S. Navy veteran, enjoys Monday’s event.

Beloved Man Jerry Wolfe, a WWII U.S. Navy veteran, enjoys Monday’s event.

Lt. Col. Dave Banks (Ret.), USMC, a teacher at Smoky Mountain High School was a special guest speaker at the event and thanked his 82-year-old father who served 36 years in the U.S. Navy.  “He is the one who inspired me to continue to work hard no matter what.”

Lt. Col. Banks teaches civics and is the head wrestling coach at Smoky Mountain.  “It is a pleasure working with the youth of today.”

The keynote speaker was Col. Bob Blankenship (Ret.), former Tribal Council Chairman who served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.  “When we salute the flag, we are showing respect to our country and to our veterans who served our country.”

He read the names of the EBCI tribal members who were killed in action in all wars since World War I.  “The Cherokee have served their country well and many have given the ultimate sacrifice.  Let us honor all who served.  Let us remember that the very last thing they did on this earth was to give their life for us.”

Following his speech, Col. Blankenship helped with the placing of a wreath along with Maj. William Underwood and Sgt. Clifford Long.

The program concluded with a salute to fallen comrades by the Cherokee High School JROTC Honor Guard and the Post 143 Color Guard followed by the playing of Taps, the benediction by Maj. Underwood and a closing prayer by Beloved Man, Jerry Wolfe, a U.S. Navy veteran.

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