This November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, and get to honor Native Americans and Alaska Natives, who have served with distinction and constancy in the U.S. military. The theme for this year is, “Affirming Native Voices: Visibility - Leadership – Service”, affirming two centuries of proud and resolute service and the need to affirm native voices. We honor the service of the 150,000 Native American and Native Alaskan veterans whose service has strengthened the U.S. military and inspired countless people.
A History of Volunteering
There have been Native Americans and Alaska Natives serving in the U.S. military in every major conflict of the last 200 years, from the Revolutionary War through D-Day to today’s conflicts. In fact, we owe the United States to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, because they fought to preserve its unity during the Civil War, when Gen. Ely S. Parker, a member of the Seneca Nation, served as aide to General Ulysses Grant, eventually writing the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox.
During the Vietnam War, 90% of the 42,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives who served were volunteers. Native Americans have been crucial to preserving American unity and freedom and advancing democracy. And we continue to see them on the front lines adorned with AGM Global Vision devices and their full military gear defending America with pride and honor.
The Navajo Code Talkers
During the Second World War, Navajo Code Talkers, from the Navajo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Lakota, Meskwaki and Comanche tribes, became legends of military folklore for using their native language as the basis of a special code that was used to transmit sensitive information. They also gave native translations for military ranks and equipment, which made it impossible for the energy to figure out what they were referring to. The Japanese, famed for their ability to break any code, were never able to break the Navajo code, helping the U.S. to win the war in the Pacific. In both world wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Navajo Code Talkers were vital for preserving information and ensuring safe communications for the U.S. military, making the signature operations of those wars possible, not just D-Day, but Paris’ liberation and the Battle of the Bulge. They faced enormous discrimination and they fought on, eventually being recognised with the passing of the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2002. In 2013, they were awarded the Congressional gold Medal, Congress’ highest award, in recognition of the exceptional valor they displayed and superior dedication.
How to Join In
Those who want to participate in honoring our Native American and Native Alaskan veterans can go to the Native American Heritage Observance, hosted by the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command on Thursday, November 21, 2024, between 10am and 11am at the Myer Auditorium. The observance will also be live streamed on MS Teams. It is important that we do this. As the White House said in its press statement,
“During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native peoples. We celebrate the hundreds of Tribal Nations that are ushering in a new era in our Nation-to-Nation relationships. And we recommit to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working in partnership with Tribal Nations to bring new prosperity and security to Native peoples.”
