Minnesota's American Indian veterans were honored Thursday with a plaque on the State Capitol Court of Honor. A tribal honor guard of veterans, along with tribal leaders, Gov. Mark Dayton and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito, paid tribute and dedicated the plaque to all Indian veterans who have served in peacetime and war. Indians have historically served in the U.S. Armed Forces at rates proportionately higher than any other group. Erma Vizenor, chairwoman of the White Earth Nation, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council had been working since 2005 to secure the memorial. At left, Glynn Crooks, a Vietnam Navy veteran, saluted during the entry of the honor guard. Go to startribune.com to see a photo gallery.
A tribal honor guard of American Indian Veterans marched on the Capital Court of Honor at the end of the plaque ceremony honoring American Indian Veterans on 5/22/14. Tribal Leaders, Governor Dayton and Commissioner spoke at Plaque Ceremony Honoring American Indian Veterans St Paul, On May 22, 2014 and thereafter, American Indian Veterans will be honored with a memorial plaque placed on the state Capitol grounds. The plaque will be dedicated to all American Indian Veterans who have served bravely in peacetime and in war. American Indians have historically served in the U.S. Armed Forces at rates proportionately higher than any other group of Americans. Chairwoman Erma Vizenor of the White Earth Nation and Minnesota Indian Affairs Council has been working since 2005 to secure a memorial for American Indian Veterans, many of whom have served in wars as early as the American Revolution. During the 2013 legislative session, Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji) sponsored HF143 that authorized the placement of a plaque in the Court of Honor. Senator Rod Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook) sponsored the bill in the Senate, and it was signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton on April 24, 2013. Honored speakers at the ceremony, which will take place at 10:00am in the Capitol Court of Honor, were: Chairwoman Emma Vizenor, Chairman Kevin Leecy (Bois Forte), Vice President Lucy Taylor (Prairie Island Indian Community), Governor Mark Dayton (DFL-Minnesota), and Commissioner Larry Shellito (MDVA).] Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune bbisping@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
do not use: (right) Vietnam Navy Veteran Glynn Crooks saluted during the entry of the tribal honor guard of American Indian Veterans as they marched into the Capital Court of Honor, at the start of the plaque ceremony honoring American Indian Veterans on 5/22/14. Tribal Leaders, Governor Dayton and Commissioner spoke at Plaque Ceremony Honoring American Indian Veterans St Paul, On May 22, 2014 and thereafter, American Indian Veterans will be honored with a memorial plaque placed on the state Capitol grounds. The plaque will be dedicated to all American Indian Veterans who have served bravely in peacetime and in war. American Indians have historically served in the U.S. Armed Forces at rates proportionately higher than any other group of Americans. Chairwoman Erma Vizenor of the White Earth Nation and Minnesota Indian Affairs Council has been working since 2005 to secure a memorial for American Indian Veterans, many of whom have served in wars as early as the American Revolution. During the 2013 legislative session, Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji) sponsored HF143 that authorized the placement of a plaque in the Court of Honor. Senator Rod Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook) sponsored the bill in the Senate, and it was signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton on April 24, 2013. Honored speakers at the ceremony, which will take place at 10:00am in the Capitol Court of Honor, were: Chairwoman Emma Vizenor, Chairman Kevin Leecy (Bois Forte), Vice President Lucy Taylor (Prairie Island Indian Community), Governor Mark Dayton (DFL-Minnesota), and Commissioner Larry Shellito (MDVA).] Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune bbisping@startribune.com Glynn Crooks/source. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
