U.S. Soldiers celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Leslie | Maj. Luzmira Torres (right), 3rd Division Support Brigade surgeon and native of Huntsville, Ala., plays a grandmother as Spc. Corey Simmons, generator mechanic for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Support Bde., and native of Beaufort, South Carolina, in a Native American heritage skit during the National Native American Indian Hertiage Month Program in Taji, Iraq November 20th.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.28.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Spc. Derek Del Rosario
Task Force Baghdad PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " Before embarking on a mission, Pfc. Michaela M. Howe burns a piece of braided sweetgrass, a sacred plant in her culture which is often used in ceremonies and prayers.

The three strands of the braid representing mind, body and spirit are burned at the tip so the smoke of the smoldering sweetgrass rises, taking prayers to the Creator, Howe said.

She does this to invoke good spirits and positive energy for her convoy. Most people are not familiar with Howe's ritual, but for her, it's a characteristic part of her American Indian culture.

U.S. Soldiers throughout Task Force Baghdad celebrated the culture, customs and history of Native Americans during a Native American Heritage Month observance ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center Nov. 18.

Attendees listened to poems and learned of the history and stories of personal experience by Task Force Baghdad Soldiers who are Native Americans.

Howe, an engineer in C Company, 365th Engineer Battalion is half Crow and half Hidatsa Indian. She brought the sweetgrass and other Native American items such as jewelry, dream-catchers and pictures to share with those at the ceremony.

"These are all items I brought with me (to Iraq) to remind me of home," she said. "It is good to recognize other cultures, and I am happy to bring these things so I can share my beliefs and customs with others."

The ceremony opened with a video message from the Honorable Clarence A. Johnson, the principle director of equal opportunity in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense. After Johnson's opening remarks, Native American Soldiers shared their thoughts on their culture.

Staff Sgt. Mary Lynch, 860th Military Police Company, took the opportunity to talk about life growing up on a Navajo reservation.

"(This observance) is just one way to make the public aware of Native Americans," Lynch said. "It gives them a better understanding of who we are and why we do some things differently. For example, on our reservation, we would say a prayer outside to greet the morning."

American Indians have played vital roles throughout military history, from the Navajo code talkers in World War II to the hundreds of Native American Soldiers who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Louis Gaddy, 126th Military Police Company, talked about Native American contributions to the U.S. military.

"I am thankful for being part of this day and having a chance to teach others about Native American contributions," Gaddy said. "Native Americans were involved in saving a lot of American lives in World War I and World War II. The Navajo code talkers played an integral part in winning the war."

The Navajos developed a dictionary of military terms in their native language. These code talkers communicated messages that were too complex for the Japanese to decipher. They successfully transmitted important information such as troop movements, tactics and orders over radios and telephones.

Informing people about Native American culture not only teaches people about American history, but it's also helped Howe respond to stereotypes that some people have approached her with.

"Some people have the wrong mindset," Howe said. "People have come up to me and asked me if I still live in a teepee and other stereotypical questions like that. So it's nice to get to teach people and help people who really don't understand. There is a lot to learn."

For Lynch, seeing others interested in a different culture gives her gratification for sharing her customs and beliefs with others.

"God made us all different, and it's good to know we can share our differences, values and beliefs with others," Lynch said. "Being able to open up and share my culture, and having people out there care about what I have to say and who want to know who we are (is most gratifying)."

The evening's final speech was from guest speaker Brig. Gen. Karl R. Horst, assistant division commander (maneuver) for 3rd Infantry Division. Horst said celebrations like the Native American observance help recognize a different culture while also honoring Native Americans who serve in the military.

There are currently 229 Soldiers of American Indian ancestry serving in Task Force Baghdad, he noted.

"Native Americans have always helped shape our nation's history, and their customs and traditions strengthen the American spirit," Horst said. "(Native Americans") courage, conviction and selfless service continue to promote democracy and forge a path for the future."

• Date Taken: 11.28.2005
• Date Posted: 11.28.2005 15:28
• Story ID: 3892
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ