Honoring the sacrifices and service of our brave men and
women who defend this country and our freedoms is a philosophy that’s rooted in
our Cherokee history and our Cherokee values. Like most tribal nations, the
Cherokee people have always held the highest regard for those who are willing
to go into battle to protect and defend all of us.
To say thank you, we have coordinated the second annual Cherokee
Warrior Flight. Eleven World War II and Korean War veterans have the
opportunity to see the memorials recognizing their valor, provided free of
charge by the tribe. They will travel to Washington, D.C., and tour the U.S. Capitol,
WWII monument, Korean War monument and other national monuments honoring
military service.
The Cherokee Warrior Flight was created last year to honor these
brave men. We want to let them and others who served so bravely know their
sacrifices are forever appreciated. Time is critical for us to deliver that
message of thanks to these men. Statistics from the U.S. Veterans
Administration show there are fewer than one million WWII veterans still
alive today of the 16 million who fought in that epic war, and almost 500
WWII veterans pass away every day.
These are the men who embody the traits that make the United
States of America the strongest and best nation in the world – a dedication to
service and a willingness to accept great responsibility in the darkest of
circumstances.
Last year during the first Cherokee Warrior Flight, the
outpouring of support our Cherokee veterans received from total strangers was
humbling for the veterans and for the assisting volunteers. They did not expect
the level of appreciation and attention they received at the airport, hotel or even
in massive crowds of D.C.
The 2015 Warrior Flight has 11 Cherokee Nation veterans representing
all military branches from all over the country. We are honored to host a Pearl
Harbor survivor, a set of four brothers from Adair County and another pair of
brothers living in different states but reuniting for this trip. They range in
age from 82 to 94.
The flight includes the following WW II veterans: Navy
veteran Bill Durall, of Green Valley, Arizona; Marine Corps veteran Dean Durall,
of Mapleton, Utah; Navy veteran Winfred “Wink” Chamberlain, of Texas City,
Texas; Army veteran Virgil Carter, of Tahlequah; Navy and Coast Guard veteran
Charles Scott, of Palo Alto, California; Army Air Force veteran Gerald Zellner,
of Big Cabin; Navy veteran Valentine “Tino” Burnett, of Eucha; and Army veteran
Monroe Hembree, of Stilwell.
Korean War veterans include these brave men: Army veteran
Dan Hembree, of Westville; Air Force veteran Alfred Hembree, of Westville; and
Army veteran Ivan Hembree, of Bunch.
These are humble men who have done and seen amazing things,
and they deserve all the respect we can give them. For our Cherokee Nation staff,
our Veterans Center and the volunteer guardians assisting on the flight, this
project is truly a labor of love. It shines a much deserved spotlight on these
members of the greatest generation.
To the Cherokee Warrior Flight veterans, thank you for your
service. On behalf of the Cherokee Nation, I can proudly say we will never
forget your duty, your valor or your sacrifices. God bless all these brave men,
and God bless every veteran who’s served for us to live free.
Wado.
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