Native American Service Members Honored
RIVERSIDE – The first-of-its-kind monument recognizing the contributions of Native American military service members throughout history was officially dedicated Saturday at Riverside National Cemetery, in a ceremony involving representatives from several tribes.
“The American Indian Veterans Memorial is a long-awaited and overdue tribute to Native veterans who have served and sacrificed for this country,” according to a statement from the American Indian-Alaska Native Veterans Committee. “American Indians and Alaska Natives are estimated to serve in the United States Armed Forces at five times the national average and have fought with distinction in every major conflict for more than 200 years.”
The monument features a Native American man draped in the Stars & Stripes, holding a commemorative medallion, bearing a few other distinctive features. According to the committee, of the 155 national cemeteries established nationwide, the only one now hosting a monument specifically recognizing Native Americans is Riverside National Cemetery…