Vincent Schilling

Mary Phillips, Omaha/Laguna, played “Taps” in recognition of those American Indian veterans past and present that have served our country.

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American Indian veterans honored annually at Arlington National Cemetery

By Vincent Schilling, Today correspondent

Story Published: Dec 5, 2008

Story Updated: Dec 5, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – In a sacred pipe ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery, American Indians paid tribute to native veterans past and present.

Nathan Phillips, Omaha, keeper of the pipe, holds the ceremony annually on the Sunday after Veterans’ Day.

Phillips opened the ceremony with a call on a conch shell and asked the group to gather together. Phillips is the former director of the Native Youth Alliance and now oversees their Heritage of Healing Project. Phillips, as the keeper of the pipe for the ceremony, has attended the event for the past 15 years.

The drum group, Nama-wo-chi, which translates “Native Man, Woman and child,” had traveled from North Carolina to Arlington, Va. to perform. They began with a calling song to honor “all of the veterans for all wars.”

After giving offerings of sage, Sweetgrass, tobacco and food to the spirits and ancestors, Phillips asked if any of the crowd of about 30 people would like to share. Many came forward to express memories of past Native veterans and concerns about soldiers currently serving in Iraq and those being deployed. 

Mitchell Bush spoke of the late Dick Baker, a Native veteran that had attended the event until his recent passing. Baker and Bush had both attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas.

Bush mentioned that Baker, a Marine Corps veteran, was responsible for the “Grandfather Plaque” at the center of the ceremonies, which pays tribute to Indian Vietnam veterans. “Baker was there when they dedicated the Vietnam Wall, he had this plaque dedicated to the Indian warriors,” Bush said.

Bush also pointed out that the site of the ceremony held the grave marker of U.S. Army LTC Carl Phillip Thorpe, son of Olympic Champion and legendary athlete Jim Thorpe.
Photo by Vincent Schilling
Nathan Phillips, Omaha, keeper of the pipe and former director of the Native Youth Alliance made preparations for the sacred pipe ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.

Melvin Moore also stepped up to speak and proudly asserted that his ancestry included a list of veterans that had served in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Korean Wars. “We can be proud of who we are today. Every day I will wear my regalia to let people know we are still here and we do not have to take a back seat.”

Others expressed various encouraging thoughts such as, “Not lose sight of who you are,” and “I am proud to be who I am today.”

When all had a chance to speak and share their feelings, Nama-wo-chi, expressed gratitude to Nathan Phillips. They presented Phillips “the highest honor that can be bestowed to an American Indian” and gave him two eagle feathers for 15 years of conducting the sacred pipe ceremony to honor veterans.

Phillips was visibly moved by the gesture and spoke to the crowd. “I am humbled here today. My wife, who has bone marrow cancer, would have liked to see this. She is the one who deserves this. For 18 years, she has been standing beside me. I miss her here today.”

In tears, Phillips explained that he had literally dropped off his wife at the emergency room days before the ceremony. He had expressed to her that he wanted to stay with her, be she told him to go and conduct the ceremony.

Phillips also described coming back to the U.S. as a veteran from Vietnam. “People called me a baby killer and a hippie girl spit on me.”
Photo by Vincent Schilling
Mitchell Bush was one of the 30 plus people who attended the sacred pipe ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.


The entire crowd was moved by the events and words spoken. Phillips then led the gathering in the lighting and partaking of the sacred pipe.

In closing, Nama-wo-chi played a veterans song and Mary Phillips, Omaha/Laguna, played “Taps” on the trumpet.

Julia Eagle and her husband Crow are members of Nama-wo-chi. The two who have been recently married also took time to express their thoughts. “We were not allowed to be Cherokee as a child. It is important not to forget your roots and to treat everyone with kindness and love.”

Alicia Moore, “Spirit Tree” also spoke about the day’s events. “This has been a long time coming. It should be done more often, but I am glad it is happening now. Our people have lain silent. We drummed to raise up the spirits to let our ancestors know that they arenot forgotten.”

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 9:57 AM Ron Brave wrote ...

Thank you Nathan and Shashana for letting the smoke rise from the sacred cannupa,(pipe),and reach all of us who pray for our veteran. Wakan Tanka Nicin un, May The Great Spirit Be With You And Guide you.

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Saturday, Dec 20 at 10:04 PM Warren Petoskey, Lakotah/Odawa wrote ...

I believe it is important to honor our veterans. I served seven years. But there are veterans we need to remember who resisted an invasion and gave their lives doing it. Many of their names written history has passed down to us, but there are many more who were not named. We, Native people, should never forget them. We would not be here today if it had not been for their resistance and effort to ensure the memory of what it is to be tribal is not lost.

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Friday, Dec 12 at 2:53 PM Sonny Skyhawk wrote ...

When I read articles like this it makes me so proud to be Lakota. The culmination of who we are as a people or Nations, is best described by the deeds of our ancestors and the actions and respect of our present generations. Nathan Phillips , you make us all proud. pilamaya pelo.

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Friday, Dec 12 at 12:48 AM Victor Mace, EA1(SCW) NMCB 17 DET 09 wrote ...

I served with the USN Ceremonial Guard (Drill Team) from 97-99. I did Honor Ceremonies of the fallen from present to past. I had the honor to of marching on Arlington Cemetary for those 2 years. I, myself, a warrior still devoted to my enlistment as a reservist. It is an honor to serve for my nation, Dine, and those that served in the past. My brother, SSG Willie Mace, US Army, is a 17 yr veteran now touring in Iraq. My sister, Tresa Mace, US Navy, served from 87-97, is a veteran as well.

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Monday, Dec 8 at 4:32 PM Senecacindy wrote ...

Thanks to Natthan Phillips and the others who attended this ceremony. My Dad passed away in 1992, but I still think about him almost every day. I always remember him and our other Native veterans every Veterans Day. My son is overseas now. Please keep him and all our service members in your thoughts and prayers.

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Sunday, Dec 7 at 7:51 AM Randy (Talking Man) Tanner wrote ...

This makes me proud, as a Native and as a 25-year combat veteran of the US Navy. I will be there next year to help pay tribute to the heroes who came before us. Let us all echo that "they are not forgotten."

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