Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Office of Veterans Affairs will be holding a dedication ceremony of the new veterans memorial beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.
Rogan Noble, head of the Cherokee Nation's Office on Veteran Affairs, addressed
the crowd at the Cherokee Warrior's Memorial groundbreaking ceremony in 2003. The United States Marine Corps helicopter will also be flown in at the memorial dedication this week on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.
Activities for the event include a U. S. Marine Corps 34D helicopter fly-in, posting of colors, a welcome home to veterans, and remarks by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. In addition, there will also be a wreath ceremony and a performance by the Adult Cherokee Nation Choir.
According to Rogan Noble, benefits counselor for the Cherokee Nation Veterans Affairs Office (VAO), the planning and creation of the memorial has been years in the making, and that he and other veterans are glad to see the memorial open to the public.
The memorial, designed by Cherokee draftsman Marianne Biziano, is 100 feet across and has a 50-foot Cherokee Nation seal with a seven-pointed star in the center. The three tallest flagpoles fly the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action, the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. flag. The smaller poles fly the flags of the seven clans of the Cherokee. Lights illuminate the flags at night. The 6-foot by 12-foot granite wall centerpiece is inscribed in both Cherokee and English reading “A grateful Cherokee Nation dedicates this memorial to all Cherokee men and women, both living and dead, who have defended their families, their people, and their homeland.”
Noble added that even though the memorial is now dedicated, the VAO will continue selling the bricks for the sidewalk at the memorial. Bricks can be engraved with a personal message, memory, or with a name and service branch. They can be purchased for $25 each.
All Cherokee citizens and members of the general public are invited to attend the dedication ceremony and activities. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to arrive early to witness the helicopter fly-in. For more information on the event, contact Noble, phone: 918-207-5695 or send an e-mail to: veterans@cherokee.org.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |