Members of the American Legion Post 115 from Muskogee will play Taps and fire a three-volley salute for fallen comrades.
The UKB pays tribute to their veterans every November. Every UKB veteran attending is honored with a luncheon and a small token of appreciation from the tribe.
“If you’re Native American, you’re going to fight harder. That’s the kind of track record the Keetoowah Cherokee veterans have,” UKB Chief George Wickliffe said. “They fought harder because this is our country, and people should never forget how hard our Native Americans fight in wars. What we must do is support our soldiers that defend our country. We’ve had good soldiers. We’ve had brave soldiers because of who they are. They are Native Americans and we appreciate them, we appreciate all of them. We appreciate all the soldiers regardless of where they come from. I want to say to the Keetoowah veterans that the Keetoowah Cherokee people appreciate you, and we honor you. I say thank you.”
“The chief is right. Whenever we fight, the Native Americans are the ones who fight the hardest, they fight because this is their country, this is their home. This is where we started from and our ancestors are buried here, this is why we protect it, as veterans, they have done a great job. We appreciate it and honor them. It’s an honor just to talk to a veteran. I feel I don’t have the prestige that they have and the honor that they deserve. I don’t know if we can ever bestow enough honor on them, because I think as veterans, they are truly great people for serving our country,” UKB Assistant Chief Charles Locust, said.
For more information on the luncheon call Brenda Locust or Hominy Littledave at (918) 431-1818.
