Audio clip
Jamie Russell
One Cherokee fought alongside Andrew Jackson; another became a Confederate brigadier general.
In World War I, Choctaws provided a code for Allied forces, and when Americans needed another unbreakable code in World War II, they turned to Navajos.
Those stories and more will be recounted today during a service remembering American Indian warriors and soldiers. Held at Chattanooga National Cemetery, it will immediately follow the traditional taps and salute service for Memorial Day.
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Staff Photo by Tim Barber
Jamie Russell, 53, kneels in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Thursday. Mr. Russell is a Native American Veteran, and he will speak at the cemetery on Memorial Day.
“The native warrior tradition lives on and still is a very important part of the native peoples’ culture,” said Jamie Russell, a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces from 1981 until 1990.
“We want to raise awareness that Native Americans are and always have been an important part of our country’s defense,” he said, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “America’s original homeland security — fighting terrorism since 1492.”
Paul H. Martin, director of Chattanooga National Cemetery, said the Tennessee Native Veterans Society programs have been a special addition to the traditional program for three years now.
“It’s very inspirational,” Mr. Martin said. “They have Native American music, and they talk about their veterans. The crowd staying for it continues to get bigger every year. This year I wouldn’t be surprised to see 150 people here.”
IF YOU GO
The service will immediately follow the traditional 11 a.m. Memorial Day service at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
TORCHLIGHT TOUR
* A 90-minute torchlight tour of the National Cemetery with Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park historian James Ogden is at 8:45 p.m. Bring a flashlight.
Among the warriors and soldiers to be remembered will be:
* Chief Junaluska and a number of other Cherokee men who fought with Gen. Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812.
* Col. Ely Parker, a Seneca who served with Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War
* Stand Watie, a Cherokee who became a Confederate brigadier general.
* Ira Hayes, a Pima who helped raise the American flag at Iwo Jima in World War II.
Surveys from the 1990 U.S. Census found there were 160,000 living American Indian veterans. That’s nearly 10 percent of all living Indians, a proportion nearly triple that of the general population, Mr. Russell said.
He attributes it to heritage.
“Military service is the only chance nowadays that native people have to be warriors and, traditionally in native society, that gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment,” he said.
“And this is our homeland. It’s always been our homeland. We will do whatever we need to protect it,” he said.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
"Chief Junaluska and a number of other Cherokee men who fought with Gen. Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812."
There is nothing honorable about murdering Creek people.
EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM: HUMANE TOLERANCE & MEMORIAL DAY
Beloved brethren while listening and learning as I walked and stayed in the Spirit I thought of these things. Man can leave race but culture he must always be aware of. As culture takes in race it often settles not on culture against culture. Meanwhile all people, all cultures have heroes that have paid the ultimate price in war or in peace time. However some are honored and some are not. Many are also forgotten and their voices go unheard.
I can also bear witness to the particular honor among soldiers. The pride in his service and will to die for his flag and country. However when one becomes born again he has a different world view. The Bible becomes his sword. He also embraces tolerance and his prayers are for all of humankind not just race or culture.
John Cried For All the Dead Men (5-25-09)
Meanwhile during the great feud many fell, north and south, Black and White. But all should be saluted. Meanwhile the Great War Chiefs among the various Native American nations had fell and died for many years since the White man had come and set foot upon the land of his ancestors. So don’t forget these great warriors.
So who comes to memorialize the great War Chiefs and fallen brave Native Americans who fought gallantly for the land they were free to roam, hunt, fish and live? I heard of Chief Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Cochise the great Apache nation and the Comanche warriors of the Great Plains. However there were countless brave warriors.
These warriors are not forgotten among their people as culture will always supersede race and culture will out last race as culture encompasses all. A Western shootum-up is not just entertainment but tis the history of the west and the fallen brave men on all sides. Plantation land, Reservation land all comes down to culture not race. But the economy begs to differ.
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