Large numbers of Native people enlist for military service and represent the highest per capita enlistment of any ethnic group in the United States. The reasons vary from supporting their families and ensuring economic stability, to seeing the world. We are proud of their personal journey into the military and thank them for their service.

Our heroes who took the ultimate sacrifice for freedom are not forgotten. Our heroes are our great-grandfathers, our uncles and aunts, our cousins and our brothers and sisters. These are the people who understood that their way of life was threatened. Their strength and perseverance is the foundation of which we now stand upon.

Around the country, our Native people give thanks to our fallen, our veterans and our active military brothers and sisters. This weekend, the 3rd Annual Arrow Lakes Memorial Powwow in Inchelium, Washington will recognize veterans past and present. In Cass Lake, Minnesota, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's Palace Casino will be host to the Veterans Memorial Pow Wow 2013.