HONORING
VETERANS
The Indian people have many ways of honoring their veterans, especially
their wounded veterans and the ones who have not returned to their loved
ones. At every Pow Wow there are honoring dances and songs. It is a
part of Indian traditions to take the time to show honor and respect
for those who have met the challenges of life and death in defense of
the people.
In a modern society that often doesn't seem to pay much attention to
veterans, the honor accorded to Veterans at the Pow Wow can seem surprising
to someone not familiar with Indian culture and customs. Veterans are
asked to be flag bearers, called upon to retrieve dropped eagle feathers
and honored in a multitude of veterans' songs. The respect shown to
veterans is an integral part of American Indian cultures, a tradition
from times when the welfare of every village depended on the number
and ability of its fighting men. To be a warrior was a man's purpose
in life and the most honorable death a man could have was to fall defending
the people. To the Indian people, the well-being of the entire tribe
was more important that that of any individual; and so the warriors
were honored because they were willing to give their lives in order
that the people might live.
Today's veterans are accorded the same tokens of honor and respect as
the warriors of times past, and, in many tribes, bravery is still revered
as one of the four virtues: bravery, generosity, wisdom and fortitude.
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