Wabanaki veterans honored with Native American Veterans Day
By Gale Courey Toensing
Indian Country Today Story Published: May 22, 2009
AUGUSTA, Maine – Veterans who are tribal members of the Wabanaki Confederacy will be recognized each year on a newly designated Native American Veterans Day.

The State of Maine has officially designated June 21 as Native American Veterans Day.

An act to establish Native American Veterans Day was introduced earlier this year by Passamaquoddy Representative Donald Soctomah.

“Whereas, throughout the history of our nation, Native Americans served our country to defend rights that they themselves were not always afforded; and Whereas, the recognition afforded by this Act should be bestowed upon them without further delay,” the bill says.

Gov. John Baldacci signed the bill April 30. The bill aimed at recognizing the courage and service of members of the Wabanaki tribes – Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac – and requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation urging people of the state “to observe this day in a suitable place and with appropriate ceremony and activity.”

“Our troops, past and present, represent the best of Maine and our nation,” Baldacci said. “For our Native American members, whether it be through service in the National Guard, Armed Forces or Reserves, it is vital that they know that everyone in Maine appreciates their service and sacrifices.”

Soctomah attended the ceremonial signing and said it was a great day.

“When you think about the service that Native Americans did for this country when they couldn’t even vote, it tells me that they were protecting the homeland just as the ancestors would have. I introduced the legislation because it was the right thing to do. We need to recognize people for their service, especially Native veterans. Sometimes it takes a piece of legislation to make all people think about our past, present and future directions.”

Also in attendance were several co-sponsors and supporters, including representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution and Charles Norman Shay, the inspiration for the bill.

As a 19-year-old serving with the 16th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division, Shay’s unit was among the first to make the difficult landing on Omaha Beach in 1944. He earned a Silver Star for his unselfish heroism that day.

Shay was captured by Nazis in 1945, and survived German POW camps. He returned to action in the Korean War where he served as a combat medic and master sergeant with the 3rd Medical Platoon, 7th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division; he distinguished himself by courageous rescue of wounded comrades under heavy enemy fire, earning a Bronze Star with Two Oak Leaf Clusters for Valor.

During his first official visit to the United States in 2007, French President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded Shay an honorary knighthood in the Legion d’Honneur, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

“As one of the last surviving Native American combat veterans on our reservation who served in World War II, I was grateful for the opportunity to witness Governor John Baldacci sign LD 30 formally establishing Native American Veterans Day in the State of Maine,” Shay said.

Now almost 85 years old, Shay is a Penobscot Indian Nation tribal elder.

“Together with our brothers and sisters of the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq we are allied nations in the Wabanaki Confederacy. Since the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775, our people have stood shoulder to shoulder with Americans and Canadians in many wars, fighting a common enemy,” Shay wrote.

During WWII members of the Wabanaki Confederacy were required to register for the draft under penalty of the law if they failed to do so, Shay said.

“We had no voting rights. It was not until 1954 that we were able to vote in federal elections and not until 1967 were we able to vote in state and local elections. We were second class citizens in our own country. However, we served this country faithfully, but in effect we were fighting to protect our own land. I therefore find it very appropriate that the Maine State Legislature passed the bill LD 30 establishing June 21 as Native American Veterans Day in the State of Maine. When Governor Baldacci signed LD 30, Maine became the first state in the union to honor its Native American Veterans with such high distinction.”

Soctomah said that listening to Shay talk about other Native soldiers during WWII got him thinking about how important Native history is to this country then and now.

“One veteran talked about the letter General George Washington wrote to the Maine tribes asking for help in defending the soon to be United States. I thought about my great grandfather Sopiel Selmore who was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, I thought about Moses Neptune who was one of the last men killed in World War I at the sounding of the victory bell in France. Native Veterans Day will help us remember our soldiers, both men and women; this is part of our history when we remember this.”

Walk With the Warriors Inc. is a veteran organization 501(c)3,that is in the forefront for heading legislation in congress, to make November 7th, the National Native American Indian Veterans Day.

There are many reasons why we should have at least one day to honor our Veterans. I have listed a few here

One of the main people to help form Walk With The Warriors Inc. was, Jake Singer-Viet Nam Veteran-Dine. However his vision was to reach out to all tribes. This is reflected in the board of directors.
Tribe represented on the board: Seminole, Navajo, Lakota, Sioux, Mohawk, Blackfeet, and Lumbee/African American.

A Long Tradition Of Participation

American Indians have participated with distinction in United States military actions for more than 200 years. Their courage, determination, and fighting spirit were recognized by American military leaders as early as the 18th century.

I think they [Indians] can be made of excellent use, as scouts and light troops. –Gen. George Washington, 1778

Many tribes were involved in the War of 1812, and Indians fought for both sides in the Civil War. Scouting the enemy was recognized as a particular skill of the Native American soldier. In 1866, the U.S. Army established its Indian Scouts.

The Scouts were active in the American West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, accompanying Gen. John J. Pershing’s in pursuit of Pancho Villa in 1916. Native Americans from Indian Territory were also recruited by Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and saw action in Cuba in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Contributions In Combat

It is estimated that more than 12,000 American Indians served in the United States military in World War I. Approximately 600 Oklahoma Indians, mostly Chotaw and Cherokee, were assigned to the 142nd Infantry of the 36th Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division. The 142nd saw action in France and its soldiers were widely recognized for their contributions in battle. Four men from this unit were awarded the Croix de Guerre, while others received the Church War Cross for gallantry.
World War II brought American Indians warriors back to the battlefield in defense of their homeland. Although now eligible for the draft by virtue of the Snyder Act, which gave citizenship to American Indians in 1924, conscription alone does not account for the disproportionate number of Indians who joined the armed services. More than 44,000 American Indians, out of a total Native American population of less than 350,000, served with distinction between 1941 and 1945 in both European and Pacific theaters of war.

Native American men and women on the home front also showed an intense desire to serve their country, and were an integral part of the war effort. More than 40,000 Indian people left their reservations to work in ordnance depots, factories, and other war industries. American Indians also invested more than $50 million in war bonds, and contributed generously to the Red Cross and the Army and Navy Relief societies.
Battle-experienced American Indian troops from World War II were joined by newly recruited Native Americans to fight Communist aggression during the Korean conflict. The Native American’s strong sense of patriotism and courage emerged once again during the Vietnam era. More than 42,000 Native Americans, more than 90 percent of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam. Native American contributions in United States military combat continued in the 1980s and 1990s as they saw duty in Grenada, Panama, Somalia, and the Persian Gulf.
Native Americans As Warriors

As the 20th century comes to a close, there are nearly 190,00 Native American military veterans. It is well recognized that, historically, Native Americans have the highest record of service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups. The reasons behind this disproportionate contribution are complex and deeply rooted in traditional American Indian culture. In many respects, Native Americans are no different from others who volunteer for military service. They do, however, have distinctive cultural values which drive them to serve their country. One such value is their proud warrior tradition.

In part, the warrior tradition is a willingness to engage the enemy in battle. This characteristic has been clearly demonstrated by the courageous deeds of Native Americans in combat. However, the warrior tradition is best exemplified by the following qualities said to be inherent to most if not all Native American societies: strength, honor, pride, devotion, and wisdom. These qualities make a perfect fit with military tradition.

Army Spc. Lori Piestewa
She was the first service woman killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first known Native American service woman known to have been killed in combat.