Choctaw Nation celebrates Veterans Day

On Nov. 11, the Choctaw Nation held its annual Veterans Day ceremony to honor Chahta men and women who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. military. The ceremony was held on the capitol grounds in Tvshka Homma.

Veterans from all branches of service and their families gathered for the service, which included messages from Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. and Chief Gary Batton, as well as Tribal Council Speaker Thomas Williston. Choctaw Royalty and the District 2 singers also performed.

A crowd favorite was the Salute to America’s Finest, performed by the Talihina High School Marching Band, during which veterans were encouraged to stand during the playing of their branch’s anthem.

This year’s guest speaker was delivered by retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Tray Ardese, a Choctaw tribal member who piloted 257 combat missions during his enlistment.

Ardese earned the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor in Combat and the Purple Heart. He currently serves as Director of Government of International Affairs for Magpul Industries and spends his free time volunteering for veterans’ groups.

Ardese spoke on the importance of leadership, humility and integrity, saying, “You have to do right when nobody else is looking. If you can’t be trusted when nobody else is looking, you can’t be trusted.”

Following Col. Ardese’s address, Steve Byrd presented Chief Batton with a plaque recognizing the Choctaw Nation as a Purple Heart Tribe. This award honors Native American tribes for their service to the U.S. military.

Executive Officer of Membership Services, Stacy Shepherd presented the Heart of the Warrior Scholarship to Alan Brott, who gave his acceptance speech partially in the Choctaw language. This award recognizes active duty and retired U.S. veterans who are pursuing higher education.

Closing out the official ceremonies was a 21-gun salute, performed by the Choctaw Nation Honor Guard, and the playing of Taps.

“I know sometimes we take our freedom for granted, and we don’t need to do that,” said Chief Batton. “It’s because of people like [veterans] who are here, but also those who are not here, who made the ultimate sacrifice, so we can even gather today. I’m so proud of our veterans for what they stand for, what they represent to us, and that our Choctaw people recognize them.”

Veterans in attendance received a jacket from the Choctaw Nation and were entered into drawings for door prizes and a hunting trip to the Choctaw Hunting Lodge. Lunch was served immediately following the ceremony.

Choctaw Nation celebrates its veterans year-round through the Veterans Advocacy program.