National American Indian Heritage Month Celebrated at NMRTC San Diego

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel | Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Center San Diego's Diversity Committee hosted a Native American Indian Heritage Month event to recognize and honor the contributions and service of Native Americans who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, Nov. 22, 2022. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Isiah Hadley, biomedical equipment technician, performs a song with a Native American Flute during the observance. NMRTC San Diego's mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

11.22.2022

Courtesy Story

Naval Medical Center San Diego

Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Center San Diego's Diversity Committee hosted a Native American Indian Heritage Month event to recognize and honor the contributions and service of Native Americans who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, Nov. 22.

This year’s theme is celebrating: Respect, Culture and Education.

“It is an honor to celebrate my Native American Indian heritage with my fellow Navy tribesmen,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Isiah Hadley, biomedical equipment technician. “The ethos of a warfighter mentality is rooted in my DNA, and to be in a position where I, and other Native Americans, contribute to our national security and prosperity of our nation is an honor and a responsibility that we take seriously as Native Americans.”

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, American Indians have historically the highest record of military service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups. The reasons are deeply rooted in traditional cultural values that drive them to serve their country. These include a proud warrior tradition, best exemplified by the following qualities said to be inherent to most, if not all, Native American societies: strength, honor, pride, devotion, and wisdom. These qualities closely correlate with military tradition.

“I was impressed and humbled by the large turn our of supporters that we had today,” expressed Hadley. “With Thanksgiving taking place this week, I am grateful for so many things — one in particular — is the inclusion of all of the amazing and diverse segments of our population in our military that makes us into the most lethal fighting force ever seen to mankind.”

The observation of National American Indian Heritage Month has its roots in Public Law 99-471. Over several years the observation was moved to different months but in 1990 Public Law 101-343 set the month-long observance in November.

NMRTC San Diego's mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2022
• Date Posted: 11.23.2022 15:34
• Story ID: 433941
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US