The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma honored veterans with a ceremony held at the tribe’s Capitol grounds in Tvshka Homma. More than 1,000 people gathered Monday inside the arts and crafts building to honor Choctaw Veterans. “I want to take a moment to speak directly to you, our cherished veterans.
Your courage, your commitment to our country, and your willingness to place yourself in harm’s way for our freedom fills me with deep gratitude,” Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said during his remarks. “We must remember that your service goes beyond the battlefield — ensuring that future generations of Choctaws and all Americans can enjoy the freedoms we cherish.” Batton spoke about how several Native Americans, despite not being recognized as U.
S. Citizens, fought in World War I. “They joined their fellow citizens, recognizing the call to protect, not just their homes, but the ideas of freedom and justice,” Batton said.
“It's a profound state and testament to your character that you were willing to serve, even though the country had not yet fully recognized you as its own.” The chief said he was overwhelmed with pride because of the tribe’s veterans and said every tribal citizen who is a veteran is the embodiment of what it means to be a Choctaw and an American. “On this beautiful Veterans Day, let us remember where we have come from, where we are now and the whole future we can build together,” Batton said.
“Each of you has fought for the freedoms we enj.
