National

Cherokee Nation unveils new warrior memorial for veterans

Thursday, November 12, 2015

From left: Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff Chuck Hoskin, Congressman Markwayne Mullin, Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Oklahoma Secretary of State Chris Benge, Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden and Tribal Council Speaker Joe Byrd stand in front of the new Cherokee Warrior Memorial in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on November 10, 2015. Photo from Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma dedicated a new Cherokee Warrior Memorial on Tuesday.

The 12-foot granite memorial in Tahlequah replaces an aging structure. It features a message in Cherokee and English that reads: "A grateful Cherokee Nation dedicates this memorial to all Cherokee men and women, both living and dead, who have defended their families, their people and their homeland."

The tribe also honored four veterans with the Medal of Patriotism. William Barnes Jr., 41; Brandon Morris, 33; Trenton Hickman, 42; and John David Jordan, 52, were recognized for their military service.

“Cherokees have long served and protected the freedoms of this nation and its citizens, and we cannot say thank-you enough to these fearless men and women,” Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, a Navy veteran who served during Vietnam, said in a press release. “It’s important that the Cherokee Nation and its citizens do all we can to honor and show support for those who stepped forward and answered the call to serve, and all those in the front lines today.”

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation Unveils Memorial Honoring Tribal Veterans (News on 6 11/11)

An Opinion from the Chief:
Bill John Baker: November is Native American Heritage month (The Tulsa World 11/12)