Photo By Master Sgt. Vin Stevens | Left to right: Col. Christopher Sharpsten, 82nd Sustainment Brigade commander and...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The 82nd Sustainment Brigade hosted the American Indian heritage month observance at the Fort Bragg Club Nov. 27.
“I think this cultural awareness and human relations event is very important,” said Sgt. 1st Class Darcel Glenn, 82nd Sus. Bde. equal opportunity advisor and Chickasha, Okla., native.
82nd Sus. Bde. Soldiers set up displays of American Indian jewelry, artwork and other static displays for everyone to view as they entered the event.
Col. Christopher Sharpsten, 82nd Sus. Bde. commander, and Massena, N.Y., native, provided the opening remarks.
“American Indians have served with distinction in this country’s military for more than 200 years,” said Sharpsten. “The code talkers of World War II and Cpl. Ira Hayes in the flag-raising on Hiroshima are noble examples of American Indians who left an indelible mark on our military and helped secure the freedom of this great nation.”
Spc. Lauren Szmchak, a human resource specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Special Troops Battalion, and Damascus, Md., native, read a poem by Chief Tecumseh, an American Indian leader of the Shawnee Tribe during the 1800s. “When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”
Dark Water Rising, Lumbee Tribe of NC members, performed at the event. The band earned a Native American Music Award for 2012 Group of the Year.
Sgt. Maj. Edward Yellowhair, Army National Guard senior enlisted advisor at United States Army Special Forces Command, was the guest speaker for the event. He spoke about his great-grandfather’s journey on The Long Walk in the 1860s. Navajos walked more than 450 miles by foot and many died from cold, starvation or murder. Yellowhair’s great-grandfather escaped slavery to return to his home land.
“Pass on and learn about your heritage and your history,” said Yellowhair. “I know I’m going to pass it down to my children.”
The 82nd Sus. Bde. concluded the observance with an awards presentation for Sgt. Maj. Yellowhair, Dark Water Rising and the 82nd Airborne Division choir, who sung an a capella rendition of the national anthem.
| Date Taken: | 11.27.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.05.2012 13:11 |
| Story ID: | 98782 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Hometown: | CHICKASHA, OK, US |
| Hometown: | MASSENA, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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