"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation to Honor Veterans

***"The Cherokee Nation Color Guard will be among the veterans groups recognized during activities November 9 at the Cherokee Nation."***

TAHLEQUAH, OK - In honor of service men and women, the Cherokee Nation will host a Veteran’s Day Program on Friday, November 9, at 10 a.m.

“We’re excited about the activities we have planned for Veterans Day,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Cherokees have a rich history of military service, and I think the inscription on the Warrior’s Memorial slab appropriately sums up our feelings for our veterans. The inscription reads: ‘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.’”

“The event will begin with a fly-in by the YL-37 helicopter group out of Inola,” said Rogan Noble, Tribal Veterans Representative. “This particular helicopter has a documented combat history that survived the Vietnam War and returned home to become a flying memorial to all Vietnam Veterans who perished and those that survived.”

In addition, the program will include a special presentation by the “Silver Rose Organization,” a group that was established to honor veterans exposed to carcinogenic chemicals and herbicides while serving in the Vietnam War, to Juanita Walkabout in honor of her late husband, Billy B. Walkabout.

Billy Walkabout is considered to be the most decorated Native American Soldier of the Vietnam War. A Cherokee citizen and native of Cherokee County, Walkabout received the Distinguished Service Cross, five Silver Stars, ten Bronze Stars, seven Air Medals, ten Army Commendation Medals and six Purple Hearts. During his time of military career, Billy served as an Army Ranger in Vietnam.

He was awarded his Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines in November 1968. Under fire for several hours, Sergeant Walkabout was seriously wounded, three members of his 12-strong team were killed at the scene, and one other died later from his injuries. The citation for his award notes that he simultaneously returned fire, helped his comrades, and boarded injured soldiers onto evacuation helicopters. He spent six months in a coma, recovering, and later returned to Vietnam. He retired as a second lieutenant. Billy died on March 7, 2007 in Norwich, Connecticut. He is survived by his wife, Juanita and his children.

The Cherokee National Youth Choir and the Stilwell High School Marching Band will honor veterans with music and song during the event.

In recent weeks, the Cherokee Nation held a reception honoring employees who were recently deployed to Iraq. During the event, Smith reminded employees that the men being honored and all service men and women are representatives of the United States that willingly give their all for the sake of others.

“Veterans have given more to us than we can give back,” said Smith. “I encourage each of you to embrace our military representatives and keep them in your hearts and prayers until they return.”

“Please join the staff of the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Cherokee Nation Color Guard for our Veterans Day program,” said Noble. “It is an honor to recognize our veterans for their service to the Cherokee Nation and to our country. I encourage everyone to attend.”

For more information on the event, call 918-453-5695.