DAR Sponsors New Native American Veterans Memorial

Did you know? The nation’s newest national memorial, which honors Native American Veterans, opened in 2020 on the grounds of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. It honors all of the American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian veterans who have served in every branch of the U.S. military since the American Revolution. I am proud to report that our National Society helped make possible this long-overdue recognition of these American heroes.

Our administration was honored to support construction of the new memorial with a donation of $10,000 from our National Society’s American Indian Fund – made possible through our members’ generous contributions to that account. Though our official visit had been delayed several times related to the pandemic, we were finally able to tour the new monument and place a memorial wreath to honor all of our Native American Veterans on December 7. It is a beautiful memorial – and we were honored to pause here to remember the courage and contributions of Native Americans who have worn the uniform of our nation through a short ceremony.

Approximately 10,000 American Indian soldiers fought during the Korean War, and nearly 200 died in battle. During the Vietnam War, 90 percent of the 42,000 American Indians who served were volunteers. Approximately one of every four eligible American Indian people served, compared with one of 12 in the general population. Of those, 226 died in action and five received the Medal of Honor.

According to the Department of Defense, more than 24,000 of the 1.2-million current active-duty servicemembers are American Indians, and the 2010 Census identified more than 150,000 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. Now, these men and women have a national memorial that recognizes their valor.

Known as the Warriors’ Circle of Honor, the memorial was designed by Harvey Pratt, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Mr. Pratt served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine in Air Rescue and Security. His memorial design was unanimously chosen from 120 entries and features an elevated stainless-steel circle balanced on a drum of carved stone. The outdoor memorial incorporates water, fire and garden features.

Visit the moving online exhibit: Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces to better understand the stories of some of these veterans, e.g. Oneida Polly Cooper, who joined with other tribal members to supply food to Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778; the Polly Cooper Chapter in Chappaqua, NY, honors her memory. Our National Society, of course, has prioritized identifying and recognizing the Revolutionary War service of Native Americans through our Forgotten Ancestors and E Pluribus Unum initiatives. We are proud that their memory is now honored through this new national memorial.

Its official dedication will occur on Veterans’ Day of 2022 (having been delayed by pandemic restrictions). I urge you to visit this inspiring museum and memorial during your next visit to our nation’s capital – or to learn more about it online. The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., is currently open Wednesday – Sunday. The National Native American Veterans Memorial is on museum grounds and is open daily. You may also view the new memorial via the internet.