{"id":4366,"date":"2020-11-10T12:57:30","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T18:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=4366"},"modified":"2020-11-10T13:10:33","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T19:10:33","slug":"rep-tom-cole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/11\/10\/rep-tom-cole\/","title":{"rendered":"Rep. Tom Cole: Paying tribute to our Native veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_youtu-be\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3tEdeE4Faqg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01\/maxresdefault-127.jpg\" alt=\"National Native American Veterans Memorial\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3tEdeE4Faqg\">\n\t\t\tNational Native American Veterans Memorial\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3tEdeE4Faqg\">\n\t\t\t<p>Ahead of its formal opening, workers put finishing touches on the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the National Museum of the American Indian in&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/s\/desktop\/ce6b1040\/img\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"YouTube\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tYouTube\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Ahead of its formal opening on November 11, 2020, <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/3tEdeE4Faqg>workers put finishing touches on the National Native American Veterans Memorial<\/a> at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. \r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">A Debt of Gratitude<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Tuesday, November 10, 2020<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TomColeOK04\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-website\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/cole.house.gov\/\">cole.house.gov<\/A><\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThroughout American history, millions of brave men and women have selflessly answered the call to protect our freedom and preserve liberty by serving in the military. While numerous individuals have fought for the great cause of freedom, it wasn\u2019t until after World War I that the United States first set apart a special day just to say, \u201cthank you.\u201d This week on Veterans Day, we honor and remember our veterans for their awe-inspiring display of courage, sacrifice and devotion.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nIndeed, whether it\u2019s a friend or family member, each of us knows someone who has served or is still serving our country in the military. I often think of the amazing veterans in my own family, including my late uncle and namesake who survived the infamous Bataan Death March as a prisoner of war during World War II. I am also tremendously proud of the service rendered by my late father, who joined the Army Air Corps on the eve of World War II, later retiring as the second most senior master sergeant in the Air Force and renown as one of the best to run a crew that fixed airplanes.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 17.4 million veterans currently living in the United States, including more than 306,000 in our communities across the state of Oklahoma. Considering the significant military presence in Oklahoma, including at the Fourth District\u2019s own Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and Fort Sill in Lawton, it\u2019s also worth recognizing that thousands more Americans are currently serving on active duty. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_youtu-be\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/TG5FtvRfeV4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01\/maxresdefault-128.jpg\" alt=\"National Native American Veterans Memorial Opening\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/TG5FtvRfeV4\">\n\t\t\tNational Native American Veterans Memorial Opening\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/TG5FtvRfeV4\">\n\t\t\t<p>On November 11, 2020, the National Museum of the American Indian shares a virtual message to mark the completion of the National Native American Veterans Mem&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/s\/desktop\/ce6b1040\/img\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"YouTube\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tYouTube\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"> National Museum of the American Indian: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/TG5FtvRfeV4>National Native American Veterans Memorial Opening &#8211; Premieres November 11, 2020<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nWe are forever indebted to both our veterans and active service members for their devotion. As we gratefully reflect on the patriotism exemplified by our veterans this week on Veterans Day, I wanted to highlight some meaningful projects underway to honor their service for generations to come.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nAs you might know, it was announced earlier this fall that the National Cemetery Administration is awarding a significant federal grant to support construction of a State Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore. This very special project in the Fourth District has been years in the making and would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts and attention of numerous members of the community. I want to especially thank Ardmore City Manager J. D. Spohn, State Senator Frank Simpson, State Representative Tommy Hardin as well as former Representative Pat Ownbey and Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Homes Shawn Kirkland, Ardmore Veterans Center Administrator Marsha Huddleston and Rear Admiral Wesley Hull for their tireless work and commitment. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThe brave men and women who have defended our country deserve the utmost respect, and I am proud that Ardmore will soon be able to serve as the final resting place of distinct and well-deserved honor for our veteran heroes.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\"mt-1 mb-1\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8411603009680747\" data-ad-slot=\"6394965691\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nIn addition, this week in our nation\u2019s capital, I am proud that a special memorial will be unveiled to honor the unique legacy of Native American veterans. Set to be dedicated and opened on Veterans Day during a virtual ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian, the <a href=https:\/\/americanindian.si.edu\/visit\/washington\/nnavm>National Native American Veterans Memorial<\/a> will rightly recognize the incredible military service rendered specifically by Native Americans throughout our country\u2019s history. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\nIn fact, Native Americans have served our country in higher numbers than any other ethnic minority in the United States since the Revolutionary War. The effort to construct and open this memorial is another project that has been years in the making and one that I was proud to have a role in with my friend and fellow Oklahoma colleague Congressman Markwayne Mullin, who in 2013 led legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to authorize construction of the memorial on the National Mall.  \r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<figure>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"4374\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/11\/10\/rep-tom-cole\/nnavm-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/nnavm-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"National Native American Veterans Memorial\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/nnavm-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/nnavm-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"National Native American Veterans Memorial\"   class=\"alignnone img-fluid wp-image-4374\" \/>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">The National   Museum of the American Indian  is seen in the background of the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on November 11, 2020. Photo by Indianz.Com <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nWithout question, we owe a constant debt of gratitude to generations of veterans, and we have a solemn duty to serve and honor our veteran heroes, including many who sustained life-altering injuries fighting for the cause of freedom. On Veterans Day and every day, I hope you\u2019ll join me in showing your support and appreciation for their devoted service.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nFinally, if you are a veteran and have experienced problems related to your earned benefits, please contact my Norman office at 405-329-6500, so my staff can help you get answers. Also, if you are a veteran experiencing a crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text the number 838255 to receive confidential support. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<HR><DIV class=row>\r\n<DIV class=col-md-4><IMG class=\"img-fluid wow fadeIn\" \r\nsrc=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2019\/05\/30\/tomcole.jpg\" \r\nitemprop=\"image\"><\/IMG><\/DIV>\r\n<DIV class=col-md-8><EM>Tom Cole, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, is serving \r\nhis eighth term in Congress as the elected representative of Oklahoma&#8217;s 4th \r\nCongressional District. He is recognized as an advocate for taxpayers and small \r\nbusiness, a proponent for a strong national defense and a leader in promoting \r\nbiomedical research. He is considered the foremost expert in the House on issues \r\ndealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. He and his wife, Ellen, \r\nhave one son, Mason, and reside in Moore, Oklahoma. <\/EM><\/DIV><\/DIV><HR>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans have served our country in higher numbers than any other racial or ethnic minority in the United States.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4368,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[50,346,48,672,297,57],"class_list":["post-4366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","tag-116th","tag-dc","tag-house","tag-nmai","tag-tom-cole","tag-veterans","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/nnavmdc-scaled.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-18q","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}