Embracing Heritage

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

11.15.2017

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Kegan Kay 

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

This is her rite of passage ceremony and excitement fills the air along with chatter and laughs. The women also give some trinkets such as an ivory carved dolphin, a small spear from their own rite of passage as well as words of wisdom.
After all the preparation, the young woman’s great-great grandmother, usually the oldest female elder, comes in ready to bestow her new name that will carry her through this new chapter of her life. Her new name, Stargazer.
“I was named Stargazer because I was always looking to the heavens,” explained Electronics Technician 1st Class EB’ony Griner, a Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). “I always had so many questions and was always a peculiar child.”
For Griner, her rite of passage ceremony was just one way for her to connect to her Cherokee heritage.
While Griner’s heritage is just as diverse as many Americans, she has a strong Cherokee linage on both her parents’ sides, mixed in with a little African American, German and Apache.
The military is full of diversity, often celebrating and recognizing the contributions that such diversity brings to the armed forces. Monthly heritage celebrations such as November designated as Native American Indian Heritage Month.
Military history has been vastly influenced by Native American Indians; from the “code talkers” of World War II to the influences of tribal governments on our nation’s democratic processes.
For Griner learning every part of heritage and passing it on to her son is important no matter if it is her German, African or Cherokee culture.
Griner has been teaching her son Tug Tong, a Cherokee-American version of speaking pig latin she learned while growing up.
“I’ve been telling him about the stories,” added Griner. “When he turns ten, he said he wanted to go to the reservation. When I come home for Christmas as a present I’ll take him to the reservation as a surprise.”
Every tribal nation has their own traditions, customs and way of living and Griner just wants the opportunity to continue with her family traditions and pass them down to the world.
“Respect and understand that everyone has their own way and own life and no matter what the culture, we are all one big family.”

• Date Taken: 11.15.2017
• Date Posted: 11.21.2017 08:26
• Story ID: 256076
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US
• Hometown: WACO, TX, US