"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Veterans Events Scheduled for Holiday

***"Warriors Memorial"***

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Nation will hold a special event this year during the 57th Cherokee National Holiday to mark the start of planned construction on a new veterans center. The public is invited to join Principal Chief Chad Smith, Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr., and tribal and state officials at a construction celebration to be held on Saturday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Warriors Memorial on the grounds of the Cherokee Nation government complex on Highway 62 south of Tahlequah.

“We encourage everyone to honor their family veterans by making the commitment to volunteer their time to help construct this new center,” said Smith. “What will be unique about the building is it will be a place bound together by patriotism, appreciation, acknowledgement and the sacrifice of our veterans. The Cherokee Nation will provide the materials and together we will physically build it. It will be a great opportunity to give back to veterans some extremely small measure of what they have given to us.”

Immediately following the construction celebration, the tribe will host its annual veteran’s reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the campus of Sequoyah Schools at The Place Where They Play reception room located on the ground floor.

“This is a great opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones, hear old ‘service stories’ and get up to date information on benefits and services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Rogan Noble, director of Cherokee Nation’s Office of Veteran Affairs.

All veterans are welcome to attend and be honored. Principal Chief Smith and Deputy Principal Chief Grayson will make brief remarks during the reception. Miss Cherokee Ambassador and other tribal and state officials will also make appearances.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is Elohi Nusdidanv Degadelaquasgesdi (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. For more information about the Cherokee National Holiday, please call 918-453-5536 or visit http://holiday.cherokee.org.

For more information about the reception or the planned veterans center, please call 918-453-5695.