Page 2 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, Nov. 2, 2018

2
November 2018 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews
Fly, Fight, Win — war to end all wars
by Lt. Col. PHILIP COOPER
37th Helicopter Squadron commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. — It was 95 years ago at precisely 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918, the “war to end all wars” came to a termination of hostilities after the death and wounding of millions of veterans. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day with this statement:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations ...”
Just seven short years later, on June 4, 1926, Congress officially recognized the end of World War I, and 12 years after that, on May 13, 1938, Nov. 11 became an of- ficial federal holiday.
As we know from history, the war to end all wars was followed by another world war. Following World War II, on June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower saw the need to expand the significance of Armistice Day and so signed legislation making Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day -- a day to honor all American veterans. Where Memorial Day honors those who died in service to their country or later from wounds sustained during battle, Veteran’s Day is meant to honor all veterans, past and present, who served honorably in times of peace or war.
So, what does Veteran’s Day mean to you? Is it another day off from work, or is it more? To me, it represents a time to remember and be grateful for my brothers- and sisters-in-arms whom I have had the honor to serve with in peace and in battle. In doing so, I heed the words of Jewish American writer Cynthia Ozick who warned, “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Not only am I grateful for those I serve with, but for the common connection with my fellow veter- ans in that we all have answered our nation’s call to willingly put service before self.
Whether deployed-in-place or deployed in enemy territory, we all share this common bond of service, and I want to thank each and every one of you in uniform for what you do each day. Your service is what makes this country the home of the brave. It takes courage to do what you took an oath to do, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Our mission depends on each of you staying true to this oath, no matter what occupational badge you wear. We must depend on each other to succeed in our individual areas of service.
So on this Veteran’s Day, I want to thank you, my fellow veterans, for enabling me to serve my country, my wing, and fulfill my mission and oath. Because it is you, my fellow Airmen, that most deserve my gratitude.
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
— Elmer Davis
Editor’s note: This commentary was first published Nov. 7, 2013. It is now 100 years since World War I ended.
Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month
by Dr. ROBERT KANE
Air University
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — During No- vember, Americans celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month. On Nov. 11, Americans also celebrate Veterans Day. Through these two observances, Americans can celebrate not only the significant contributions of American Indians and Alaska natives to our heritage and culture but also their contribution to this country’s defense.
The original idea to recognize the American Indian originated with the Boy Scouts of America in 1915. By 1950, several states had established an American Indian Day, and in 1976, President Gerald Ford declared October 10-16 as “Native American Awareness Week.” Finally, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a joint reso- lution of Congress, officially proclaiming November as National American Indian Month.
At one time, many Americans thought only of “Indian” raids during the Frontier Wars of the 1700s and 1800s. Yet, American Indians have greatly contributed to the heritage and culture of this country. For example, many consider Jim Thorpe, whose mother was a Sac and Fox Indian, one of America’s greatest athletes. Also, Maria Tallchief, whose father was Osage, received global rec- ognition as America’s first prima ballerina.
Additionally, American Indians have honorably served in all U.S. armed services since the American Revolution. American Indians served as scouts during the Frontier Wars, fought on both sides during the Civil War, and were with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, Cuba, in 1898.
During World War I, about 12,000 American Indians distinguished themselves in the brutal fighting in France. Approximately 600 of these were Choctaw and Cherokee Indians who served with the 142nd Infantry of the 36th Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division. Four of them received France’s Croix de Guerre and others received Britain’s Church War Cross for gallantry for acts of hero- ism in combat.
Over 21,000 American Indians, including 800 women, served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II, compiling an outstanding combat record. In November 1945, the U.S. Army Air Force’s Office of Indian Affairs reported that 71 American Indians received the Air Medal, 51 the Silver Star, 47 the Bronze Star, and 34 the
Distinguished Flying Cross. Seven received the Medal of Honor, three posthumously.
Perhaps, the most famous group of American Indian servicemen during World War II was the Navajo Code- talkers who served as Marines in the Western Pacific. They provided secure communications for Marine ground operations, using a code developed from their native lan- guage. The Japanese military never broke the code, and the Navajo Codetalkers played a pivotal role in saving countless lives and hastening the war’s end in the Pacific.
Marine Cpl. Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, was one of the six men who raised the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, an event captured in the Marine Corps Memo- rial near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.
Over the years, thousands of Air Force members and their families served at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, named after Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, who was one- eighth Osage Indian. Tinker, the first American Indian to be promoted to general officer, died on a flying mission after the battle of Midway in June 1942.
Courtesy photo
During our history, 30 American Indians (16 during the Frontier Wars, seven during World War II, five in the Korean War, and two in the Vietnam War) received the Medal of Honor, America’s highest and most prestigious award for heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty.
American Indians and non-American Indians lived, worked, fought and died together in the U.S. armed forces. In doing so, they learned from each other.
“There was a camaraderie (in the Air Force),” said Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Cheyenne veteran of Korea and former senator and representative from Colorado, “that transcends ethnicity when you serve your country overseas in wartime.”
As we celebrate National American Indian Month and Veterans Day this November, let’s remember the thou- sands of American Indians who have honorably served in this country’s armed forces throughout its history.
Editor’s note: This commentary was first published Nov. 19, 2015.
COMMENTARY