American Indians have served in the armed forces of the United States since the American Revolution. Sadly, their service has not always been recognized or celebrated. U.S Marine Corps Navajo Code Talker Samuel Tso recalled, “I found out I was fighting for all the Indian people. All the people in the United States, all what we had, as we call United States. I found out this is what we were fighting for.” In this installment of Hidden Heroes, we illuminate the contributions of all Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans by presenting a serene composition, Pisachi (Reveal) Epitomes 1, 3, 6, composed by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and performed by our Air Force Strings quartet.

This video highlights scenes from the National Native American Veteran’s Memorial. Dedicated on Veterans Day 2020, there are deeply significant symbols present. The circle, shaped like a drum, is used for dance, storytelling, and prayer. Fire represents strength, courage, endurance, and comfort. Water is a symbol of purification and prayer. Wind symbolizes the energy that carries prayers and memories of visitors skyward. Finally, the earth provides all of the resources to live.

Nearly 20% of American Indians have served in the armed forces since 2000. There are over 15,000 active duty service members honorably serving today. This cultural and ethnic diversity is one of the greatest assets to the military, which results in a more vital and effective force.

Pisachi (Reveal) Epitomes 1, 3, 6
by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate

Members of The United States Air Force Band’s Air Force Strings

Credits
Colonel Don Schofield - Executive Producer
Master Sgt. Adam Green - Producer/Videographer
Master Sgt. Jeremy Koch - Asst. Producer/Videographer
Senior Master Sgt. Chad Randolph - Production Manager
Senior Master Sgt. Jim DeVaughn - Audio Producer/Editor
Technical Sgt. Jim Woolf - Recording/Mixing Engineer
Technical Sgt. Pedro Rodríguez Ramírez - Asst. Recording Engineer
Master Sgts. Mike Brest and Tim Hilgert - Videographers
Technical Sgt. Nate Martin - Crane Operator
Technical Sgt. (ret.) Eddie Sanders - Video Editor
Justin Lang Design - Lighting
Technical Sgt. Stacey Holliday - Narration

Special thanks to:
Smithsonian Institute, National Museum of the American Indian, National Native American Veterans Memorial, Jerod Tate @smithsonian

#Memorial #NativeAmericanVeterans #NNAVM