ESG-3 Hosts National American Indian Heritage Celebration

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

11.18.2016

Story by Molly Sonnier 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 18, 2016) -- Expeditionary Strike Group 3 celebrated National American Indian heritage month with a historical presentation and guest speaker, Nov. 18.

This month celebrates the cultures, histories and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America and recognizes the significant contributions these first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States.

“Understanding our differences fosters a mutual respect amongst our Sailors and Marines,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Kashetah Bedford, ESG-3 staff member. “Being different is beautiful and embracing those differences is the key to equality.”

American Indian service members have fought in all of this country's wars and armed conflicts. They started serving on vessels during the War of Independence, and continued serving during the Civil War.

Even though they were ineligible for the draft in World War I, many Native Americans still chose to enlist. During World War II the Navajo Code Talkers transmitted messages by telephone and radio in their native language, which was a code that the Japanese never broke.

“In my Navajo culture, you’re taught about hard work and discipline,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Martina Maddox, ESG-3 Sailor from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). “From an early age you’re taught that by waking up with the sun and running towards the east for blessings. It's taught me to reach for my goals and earn what I want to achieve by hard work.”

In a 2012 Veterans Affairs report it was stated that there were more than 154,000 American Indian military veterans. They have the highest record of service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups, but only make up 1.5 percent of our nation’s population.

According to that same report, nearly 50 percent of Native service members served in the Navy, compared to the other branches.

“It is important to have diversity in the Navy because it brings all sorts of ideas and backgrounds to the Navy,” said Maddox. “That is what is great about the Navy is that there are people who come from and walk different paths of life.”

ESG-3 comprises three amphibious squadrons, eight naval support elements and 13 amphibious warships comprised of more than 13,500 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. The mission of ESG-3 is to serve as the command element for Marine expeditionary-brigade level expeditionary operations as commander of an amphibious task force.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 3, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/esg3/.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2016
• Date Posted: 11.18.2016 10:55
• Story ID: 215133
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US