SIOUX FALLS, S.D.? Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi, assured tribal veterans his agency will live up to its commitment to see that veterans services are available to all veterans
He spoke during a recent Native American summit sponsored by the VA Medical Center and the VA’s Department of Veterans Affairs Upper Midwest Network.
The Eighth Annual Native American Indian Summit, August 13-16, gave VA personnel the chance to learn more about American Indians and their culture so those who serve veterans who are also tribal members can deal with greater sensitivity in addressing their needs.
Principi signed a sharing agreement between VA/IHS and the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe to open the door to VA care for tribal veterans and other veterans in the Sisseton area.
During the past year, the Sioux Falls Office has been working on similar agreements for sharing services at IHS hospitals and clinics in South Dakota.
‘Just before World War II began, Harold Ickes, former secretary of the Interior, spoke at a patriotic rally in New York City and asked what constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion, he answered,’ Principi told those assembled.
‘An American is one who loves justice and believes in the dignity of man. An American is one who will fight for his freedom and that of his neighbor. An American is one who will sacrifice property, ease and security in order that he and his children may retain the rights of free men.’
He said American Indian veterans and their families embody these words. They have served with distinction in all of the wars America has fought from the Oneida and the Tuscarora nations, and the members of the Six Nations confederacy, who fought with colonial soldiers to help America gain independence from England to the many Native Americans who joined Col. Theodore Roosevelt in 1898 as he charged up San Juan hill. ‘Native Americans always do their duty.’
‘The wars of this century have shown, again and again, the courage, determination and fighting spirit of American Indian troops.’
More than 25,000 Native Americans served in the United States military during World War I and more than 44,000 Native Americans served with distinction in both the European and Pacific tours of duty during World War II, he said.
Nearly 40,000 others left their reservations to work in ordnance depots, factories, and other war industries.
At the time, there were only about 350,000 Native Americans in the entire United States, including children, he said.
Native Americans continued to contribute a legacy of courage and valor to the nation in Korea, and again in Vietnam, he said.
Cpl. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., a Winnebago from Wisconsin, and Pfc. Charles George, a Cherokee from North Carolina, each received posthumous Medals of Honor for their service in Korea.
Red Cloud defended his company command post against an assault long enough for the rest of his company to consolidate their defenses. George threw himself on an incoming grenade and smothered it with his body, the secretary said.
At least 42,000 Native Americans, more than 90 percent of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam. Native Americans have seen duty in Grenada, Panama, Somalia and the Gulf War. Today, they are wherever our armed forces are stationed, he said.
‘Raymond Nahai is a Native American World War II veteran. Recently, he said, ‘Many have asked why we fight the white man’s war. Our answer is that we are proud to be Americans, and we are proud to be American Indians. The American Indian always stands firm when his country needs him.”
In return for their sacrifice, Principi said the nation owes a debt of gratitude to its veterans including Native Americans who gave vital years of their lives to the nation’s military.
‘The brutality America once showed to those who were its first settlers will never return. We have learned our lesson. But prejudice, and hatred, and fear of people who are ‘different’ persists in our great country, despite our best efforts to eradicate those attitudes.
‘In the end, we have only one line of defense against the forces of divisiveness ? our national commitment to equal opportunity,’ the secretary said.
Principi, the son of an immigrant, said he understood prejudice and what it was like to be judged because his parents were ‘different’ from the others.
‘The VA is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, because it is the right thing to do. It is what America demands. And it is the example our veterans have set,’ he said.
‘The VA, too, will not fall short in our obligation to honor the basic human dignity of our employees and the veterans we serve. We, too, will be leaders in equal opportunity and every veteran we serve will be served in a manner that honors his or her service,’ the secretary said.
‘Your contributions to our freedom will never be forgotten,’ Principi said.
The weeklong event included several Native American speakers who shared their stories and cultural issues.
Steve Reuben of the Nez Perce recalled his service in Vietnam. Leaving the reservation in the late ’60s and going to combat, he found himself facing the visible and invisible wounds of war. Finally, traditional healing is what saved his life, Rueben said.
Marcellus ‘Bear Heart’ Williams talked about the unity people in the nation share despite racial differences. ‘Every day is a good day to live.’
Faith Spotted Eagle of Mission, who has worked with tribal members for the protection of gravesites and in restoring tribal culture, addressed workshops about overcoming oppression.
Shirley Redman of the VA’s Sioux Falls Office contributed to this story.