VIDEOS: Memorial Day at National Museum of the American Indian

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Indianz.Com Video: Dennis Zotigh and Ralph Zotigh #MemorialDay2025 #ZotighSingers

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Indianz.Com

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) hosted an event in honor of Native service members on Memorial Day in Washington, D.C.

Titled Service and Sacrifice, the event on Monday opened with a presentation from Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa / Isanti Dakota / Ohkay Owingeh) and his father, Ralph Zotigh (Kiowa). The pair performed an honor song for Native service members as well as “The Empty Saddle Song” which the Kiowa Tribe created in honor of tribal warriors.

Indianz.Com Video: Dennis Zotigh and Ralph Zotigh: The Empty Saddle Song #MemorialDay2025 #ZotighSingers>

The day concluded with a presentation from Vietnam War veteran and Gold Star father Allen Kale‘iolani Hoe. He performed a Native Hawaiian chant in honor of Native service members, including his son, Nainoa Hoe, who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq.

Native Hawaiian Veteran and Gold Star Father Allen Kale‘iolani Hoe #MemorialDay2025

Following the Native Hawaiian chant, Hoe and the Zotighs laid a wreath at the National Native American Veterans Memorial, which is located on the grounds of the NMAI. The wreath was created by floral designer Shayai Lucero (Pueblo of Acoma / Pueblo of Laguna), who is the owner of Earth and Sky Floral in New Mexico and the daughter of the late Stan Lucero, a veteran.

Shayai Lucero Native Military Service Member Wreath

A wreath created in honor of Native military service members by floral designer Shayai Lucero (Acoma/Laguna) rests at the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 26, 2025. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Other portions of the Service and Sacrifice were streamed online by NMAI. They include a presentation about Grace Thorpe (Sac and Fox), who served in the Women’s Army Corps and was the daughter of the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe (Sac and Fox).

American Indians and Alaska Natives enlist in the U.S. military at the highest rates per capita of any group in the nation.

National Museum of the American Indian: Grace Thorpe: A Life of Service

National Museum of the American Indian: Circle of Honor