Spartan Brigade hosts Native American Indian Observance

Photo By Sgt. Joshua Laidacker | Pfc. Reo Ramirez, an infantryman with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks about his American Indian heritage on Fort Stewart, Ga., Nov. 25, 2015. Ramirez was one of several soldiers to speak at the Native American Heritage Observance at Club Stewart. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua P. Laidacker)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

11.25.2015

Story by Sgt. Joshua Laidacker 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers of 3rd Infantry Division celebrated Native American Indian Heritage Month with an observance on Fort Stewart, Ga., Nov. 25, 2015.

“All cultures are important and I think it’s good to have these observances that recognize certain cultures,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Washington, equal opportunity adviser of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3ID, who organized the event.

The event was hosted by 2IBCT at Club Stewart and included several Native American Indian Soldiers dressed to represent their tribe. Each soldier spoke about their heritage and culture, giving those in attendance a glimpse of represented tribes.

“We are providing some background and history of our different tribes, and then we’re also providing some insight into where we’re trying to go for the future of our tribes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron White, an infantryman with Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3ID.

White gave a detailed presentation about life on American Indian reservations and spoke optimistically about the future. White said he aspires to work in the government after his military career to ensure future generations of American Indians can embrace their heritage.

“I think the importance is in showing that we are still here and that we have not become a people of history,” White concluded.

Indeed, American Indians have played a significant role in the military as the over 135,000 American Indian and Alaskan Natives attest to, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

“This event shows that the military is diverse and has multiple cultures within it,” Washington said, adding that celebrating heritage in this way supports his mission of equal opportunity.

“Bringing awareness to different cultures in the Army can prevent an equal opportunity violation,” Washington said.

“Rather than seeing one or two ethnic groups we want to show that we’re all in this together,” White said. “We are here fighting for the same freedoms that they are.”

• Date Taken: 11.25.2015
• Date Posted: 11.30.2015 17:02
• Story ID: 183132
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US