WASHINGTON – Seven Cherokee Nation veterans, including those from the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Operation Just Cause, were honored at national monuments this week for their dedication with a “Warrior Flight.”
Mark Harper, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of a military style aviation academy, Cornerstone Aviation Academy, appeared to have said it best when he expressed his appreciation for the program.
“I am enthralled with happiness and somberness, and really to represent those men and women who came before me. Yes, it’s an honor to be amongst the veterans as they walk the memorials and they remember,” said Harper.
The purpose of a Warrior Flight is to recognize veterans in various branches who may never have received proper acknowledgment upon returning home, allowing them to share their stories, receive appreciation, and connect with Cherokee leadership and the broader veteran community.
Chuck Hoskin, the Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, not only voiced his support for the veterans but also traveled to D.C. to stand with them and express his profound gratitude for their service.
“I hope that they feel honored. I hope that they feel cared for. I hope that even though in their lives, particularly after they left the service, they may not have felt as welcome or appreciated, I hope that this is part of our effort, along with the efforts of a great many people across the country, to lift them up and to make sure that they are honored,” said Hoskin.
According to Hoskin, it is crucial to appreciate Cherokee veterans as American Indian people serve in the armed forces at a higher rate than the national average. The Cherokee Nation has been fighting for the United States dating back to the Civil War.
“Our culture teaches us to not leave anyone behind. Our culture teaches us to lift up our elders. Our culture teaches us to admire and honor our warriors; all of that is, I think, a really timeless set of principles,” said Hoskin.
The Cherokee Nation’s efforts do not go unappreciated by the veterans. S. Joe Crittenden, former deputy principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, served one tour in the Navy on the USS Princeton and is a Vietnam veteran, is deeply impacted by the Warrior Flights.
“We all go through things and talk about things that help us heal. War wounds people. Whether it’s an injury from a bullet or a bomb or, you know, whatever, a trip wire or something. If you don’t get a scratch, you’re still affected by the war, by what you’ve seen,” said Crittenden.
Many veterans during the Vietnam War, specifically, were not met with a warm welcome back into the United States due to societal divisions and the controversy surrounding the war.
Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for District 2, Candessa Tehee, expressed her appreciation for the veterans’ dedication to cultural preservation, despite the historical trauma endured.
“We have these warrior traditions within Cherokee culture and Cherokee history, and so these veterans who have stepped up and answered the call are serving not only our country, but they’re serving the Cherokee Nation, our Cherokee cultural heritage, and our Cherokee warrior traditions as well,” said Tehee.
Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net.
