HONORING AMERICA'S NATIVE VETERANS
Tax deductible
"WHY HAS THERE NEVER BEEN A MONUMENT TO HONOR THEM - THE AMERICAN INDIAN VETERAN?"
American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) Veterans have served the United States of America with courage for over 200 years. From the Revolutionary War to Iraq, in conflicts worldwide and current engagements in the Middle East, American Indians have patriotically fought for our country in larger percentages than any other ethnic group. And, they still do.
When is America going to say, "Thanks" to these brave warriors with a National Memorial that salutes the military contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives?
- Over 14,000 American Indians volunteered and served in World War I (1917-1918) - even though they were denied citizenship in their homeland. Because they loved their homelands and because warriors answer the call to protect their families and country, they fought on foreign shores for rights and privileges they did not have at home.
- The outbreak of World War II (1941-1946) saw 44,000 American Indian Warriors, out of a total Native American population of less than 350,000. Ninety-nine percent of all Native Americans who were eligible for the draft, voluntarily enlisted. In addition to the males who served during the war in both European and Pacific theaters, the woman of some tribes also contributed by serving in the WACS, WAVES and Army Nurse Corps. All served with distinction between 1941 and 1945.
- Many, such as Ira Hayes, a Pima Native American, who was one of the six U.S. Marine flag raisers immortalized in the iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II, died after returning home without being able to vote in his own state.
- The Alaska Territorial Guard, more commonly the Eskimo Scouts, was a U.S. Army reserve force organized in 1942 in response to attacks on the United States in Hawaii and occupation of parts of Alaska by Japan. The ATG operated until 1947, with estimates of 20,000 Alaskans volunteering officially or otherwise. Despite legal and social segregation of Alaskan Natives throughout Alaska, 6368 enrolled as volunteer members and served without pay - representing 107 Alaskan Native communities - the Aleut, Athabascan, Inyupik, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Yupiaq. Enrolled volunteer members ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve.
- Native American men and women on the home front were also an integral part of the war effort, with more than 40,000 leaving their reservations to work in ordinance depots, factories and other war industries. American Indians, among the poorest people in the country, also invested more than $50 million in war bonds and contributed to the Red Cross and the Army and Navy Relief Societies.
- Battle-experienced American Indian troops from World War II were joined by newly recruited volunteer Native Americans to fight Communist aggression during the Korean Conflict (June 1951 to July 1953 when an armistice was signed, but there has not yet been a peace treaty). One of those men who served in both WWI and Korea was Master Sergeant Woodrow "Woody" Keeble, Sioux - he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor almost six decades and 26 years after his death - the initial paperwork having been lost at the end of the Korean War. Three other Native American men were also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroic service during Korea, Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr, Winnebago: Private First Class Charles George, Cherokee and Captain Raymond Harvey, Chickasaw.
- More than 42,000 Native Americans, over 90% of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam (1961-1975). Native American contributions in United States military combat continued in the 1980s and 1990s as they saw duty in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Somalia and the Persian Gulf.
- Lori Ann Piestewa, a mother and Hopi tribal member, served in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War; she was the first Native American woman in history to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military.
- Currently, there are nearly 190,000 Native American military veterans. More recent service personnel has seen action in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria - as well as the terrorist-related, "Operation Inherent Resolve".
Why, after 200+ years of patrotic service, is there still no National Veterans Memorial to honor these brave warriors?
National Veterans Memorials are a visible testimony of appreciation to U.S. Veterans and their families. A nationally-recognized memorial embodies a public "Thank You" from a grateful nation. They declare that America remembers, appreciates and honors the valor and sacrifices of those who serve.
"WHY HAS THERE NEVER BEEN A MONUMENT TO HONOR THEM - THE AMERICAN INDIAN VETERAN?"
We plan to change that! We are the members of the American Indian Alaskan Native Veterans Memorial Committee (AIANVMC).
http://www.aianveteransmemorial.com/
Earlier this year, we were honored to welcome a Celebrity Spokesperson into our group, Entertainer Wayne Newton. Wayne's American Indian Heritage and his connection with the military via his work and travels with the USO, led to his offer to join us.
Chairman Bo Mazzetti, Cynthia Schomberg, Chairwoman Sharron Savage, Wayne Newton, Faith Price
We need your help so we can all say THANK YOU!
Originally tasked to set aside $4.2 million to construct the American Indian Veterans Memorial, we have $3 million remaining to be raised. With your help - through the GoFundMe site - we hope to raise at least $1.5 million dollars by New Years Eve, December 31, 2017 to begin construction on this first ever National Memorial to the American Indian Veteran!
The AIAN warriors will be remembered at a beautiful site on the hallowed grounds of the Riverside National Cemetery, one of the most significant National Cemeteries in the country, located in Riverside, California.
That first-ever National AIAN Veterans Memorial plan includes installation of "The Gift", a towering 12-foot bronze sculpture of an Indian wrapped in a U.S. Continental flag, astride a 10-foot pedestal - a profoundly passionate piece of work by renowned artist A. Thomas Schomberg.
http://www.schombergstudios.com/
This centerpiece monument will be surrounded by twelve sculpted eagles sculpted by Mike Curtis on bronze pedestals. The thirteen sculptures will be spaced alongside a walking path surrounding a large, serene pond in a peaceful and specially landscaped site in the National Cemetery.
We are a volunteer committee whose members participate without compensation, because we think this is the most important work of our lifetimes.
Please view our video:
And go to our website:
http://www.aianveteransmemorial.com/
For more information on Riverside National Cemetery, The Arlington of the West, see:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp
For more information on the Riverside National Cemetery Support Group, see:
http://rncsc.org/
PLEASE JOIN US IN SAYING "THANK YOU"!
We hope to break ground in 2018. Perhaps we ALL can plan to attend the groundbreaking early next year, as well as the American Indian Veterans Memorial's later dedication -- then we can thank you in person.
All donations are fully tax deductible. The American Indian Alaskan Native Veterans Memorial Committee operates under the umbrella of the Riversde National Cemetery Support Committee, a 501 (c)(3), non-profit entity. Tax ID #33-0722700.
We have only our heartfelt thanks to offer in return for your help.
American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) Veterans have served the United States of America with courage for over 200 years. From the Revolutionary War to Iraq, in conflicts worldwide and current engagements in the Middle East, American Indians have patriotically fought for our country in larger percentages than any other ethnic group. And, they still do.
When is America going to say, "Thanks" to these brave warriors with a National Memorial that salutes the military contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives?
- Over 14,000 American Indians volunteered and served in World War I (1917-1918) - even though they were denied citizenship in their homeland. Because they loved their homelands and because warriors answer the call to protect their families and country, they fought on foreign shores for rights and privileges they did not have at home.
- The outbreak of World War II (1941-1946) saw 44,000 American Indian Warriors, out of a total Native American population of less than 350,000. Ninety-nine percent of all Native Americans who were eligible for the draft, voluntarily enlisted. In addition to the males who served during the war in both European and Pacific theaters, the woman of some tribes also contributed by serving in the WACS, WAVES and Army Nurse Corps. All served with distinction between 1941 and 1945.
- Many, such as Ira Hayes, a Pima Native American, who was one of the six U.S. Marine flag raisers immortalized in the iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II, died after returning home without being able to vote in his own state.
- The Alaska Territorial Guard, more commonly the Eskimo Scouts, was a U.S. Army reserve force organized in 1942 in response to attacks on the United States in Hawaii and occupation of parts of Alaska by Japan. The ATG operated until 1947, with estimates of 20,000 Alaskans volunteering officially or otherwise. Despite legal and social segregation of Alaskan Natives throughout Alaska, 6368 enrolled as volunteer members and served without pay - representing 107 Alaskan Native communities - the Aleut, Athabascan, Inyupik, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Yupiaq. Enrolled volunteer members ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve.
- Native American men and women on the home front were also an integral part of the war effort, with more than 40,000 leaving their reservations to work in ordinance depots, factories and other war industries. American Indians, among the poorest people in the country, also invested more than $50 million in war bonds and contributed to the Red Cross and the Army and Navy Relief Societies.
- Battle-experienced American Indian troops from World War II were joined by newly recruited volunteer Native Americans to fight Communist aggression during the Korean Conflict (June 1951 to July 1953 when an armistice was signed, but there has not yet been a peace treaty). One of those men who served in both WWI and Korea was Master Sergeant Woodrow "Woody" Keeble, Sioux - he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor almost six decades and 26 years after his death - the initial paperwork having been lost at the end of the Korean War. Three other Native American men were also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroic service during Korea, Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr, Winnebago: Private First Class Charles George, Cherokee and Captain Raymond Harvey, Chickasaw.
- More than 42,000 Native Americans, over 90% of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam (1961-1975). Native American contributions in United States military combat continued in the 1980s and 1990s as they saw duty in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Somalia and the Persian Gulf.
- Lori Ann Piestewa, a mother and Hopi tribal member, served in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War; she was the first Native American woman in history to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military.
- Currently, there are nearly 190,000 Native American military veterans. More recent service personnel has seen action in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria - as well as the terrorist-related, "Operation Inherent Resolve".
Why, after 200+ years of patrotic service, is there still no National Veterans Memorial to honor these brave warriors?
National Veterans Memorials are a visible testimony of appreciation to U.S. Veterans and their families. A nationally-recognized memorial embodies a public "Thank You" from a grateful nation. They declare that America remembers, appreciates and honors the valor and sacrifices of those who serve.
"WHY HAS THERE NEVER BEEN A MONUMENT TO HONOR THEM - THE AMERICAN INDIAN VETERAN?"
We plan to change that! We are the members of the American Indian Alaskan Native Veterans Memorial Committee (AIANVMC).
http://www.aianveteransmemorial.com/
Earlier this year, we were honored to welcome a Celebrity Spokesperson into our group, Entertainer Wayne Newton. Wayne's American Indian Heritage and his connection with the military via his work and travels with the USO, led to his offer to join us.
Chairman Bo Mazzetti, Cynthia Schomberg, Chairwoman Sharron Savage, Wayne Newton, Faith PriceWe need your help so we can all say THANK YOU!
Originally tasked to set aside $4.2 million to construct the American Indian Veterans Memorial, we have $3 million remaining to be raised. With your help - through the GoFundMe site - we hope to raise at least $1.5 million dollars by New Years Eve, December 31, 2017 to begin construction on this first ever National Memorial to the American Indian Veteran!
The AIAN warriors will be remembered at a beautiful site on the hallowed grounds of the Riverside National Cemetery, one of the most significant National Cemeteries in the country, located in Riverside, California.
That first-ever National AIAN Veterans Memorial plan includes installation of "The Gift", a towering 12-foot bronze sculpture of an Indian wrapped in a U.S. Continental flag, astride a 10-foot pedestal - a profoundly passionate piece of work by renowned artist A. Thomas Schomberg.
http://www.schombergstudios.com/
This centerpiece monument will be surrounded by twelve sculpted eagles sculpted by Mike Curtis on bronze pedestals. The thirteen sculptures will be spaced alongside a walking path surrounding a large, serene pond in a peaceful and specially landscaped site in the National Cemetery.
We are a volunteer committee whose members participate without compensation, because we think this is the most important work of our lifetimes.
Please view our video:
And go to our website:
http://www.aianveteransmemorial.com/
For more information on Riverside National Cemetery, The Arlington of the West, see:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp
For more information on the Riverside National Cemetery Support Group, see:
http://rncsc.org/
PLEASE JOIN US IN SAYING "THANK YOU"!
We hope to break ground in 2018. Perhaps we ALL can plan to attend the groundbreaking early next year, as well as the American Indian Veterans Memorial's later dedication -- then we can thank you in person.
All donations are fully tax deductible. The American Indian Alaskan Native Veterans Memorial Committee operates under the umbrella of the Riversde National Cemetery Support Committee, a 501 (c)(3), non-profit entity. Tax ID #33-0722700.
We have only our heartfelt thanks to offer in return for your help.
Organizer
The American Indian Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Committee (represented by Cynthia Schomberg)
Organizer
Alessandro, CA
RNCSC
Beneficiary