BIG CYPRESS — Tribal and nontribal veterans and their families attended the 10th Annual Veterans Day celebration at the Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium on Nov. 11 on the Big Cypress Reservation.

The Veterans Day celebration was sponsored by President Holly Tiger’s office which gave out t-shirts, lanyards, lapel pins, pouches, pens, pins and water bottles to those who attended the event. Cypress Billie was the emcee for the event which featured multiple speakers including President Tiger and Big Cypress Board Rep Nadine Bowers. Big Cypress Councilwoman Mariann Billie was also in attendance at the event.

The event began with the tribe’s public safety color guard, followed by the Pledge Of Allegiance by Miss Florida Seminole Cece Thomas. Jr. Miss Florida Seminole read a veterans poem and Aubie Billie sang America The Beautiful.

President Tiger addressed the attendees and spoke about her time working with former Chairman Mitchell Cypress, who is a U.S. Army veteran and thanked him for showing her how to be a good leader.

“One thing I got to see working with Mitchell was his advocacy for veterans,” President Tiger said. “He didn’t distinguish between the branches although I hear that there can be arguments to be made on all sides. But he welcomed them all and over the years when we would meet veterans on our travels, they all just became brothers and sisters and they shared a bond, which I am not fortunate to have the understanding of as intimately as they do. It was just an amazing thing to witness, it was an honor to see those people come together, whether we were walking through an airport or going to an event he was taking part in. I got to see this connection that they all had. Complete strangers becoming family and friends, it was just an amazing thing to watch over the years.”

“As we stand here let us take a moment to reflect on the courage and dedication of our veterans, they face challenges that many of us cannot imagine,” Rep. Bowers said. “They have left their homes, their families and their comfort zones to protect our nation and uphold the values we cherish. Through their service, they have shown us the true meaning of bravery and selflessness. Let us remember that each veteran has a unique story of heroism, friendship and resilience.”

Tribal veteran Curtis Motlow and Emergency Management Director Paul Downing (Passamaquoddy Tribe) were honored and spoke before receiving plagues and a tribal blanket. Motlow spoke about his years growing up with his family and following the same steps as his father by serving in the U. S. Navy.

“Being a veteran, I served my country to the best of my ability and would do so
again if called upon,” Motlow said.

Downing spoke about the importance of Native Americans serving in the military, particularly during World War II by having Natives use their language, which was unfamiliar to the enemy who could not decode it.

“When you see someone in that veteran’s hat or military gear take a moment, reach out your hand and shake that hand and thank them for their service,” Downing said. “They carry the weight of freedom on their shoulders, and they signed that blank check and walked out into the battlefields.”

A special presentation from the Native American Woman Warriors and the Marine Warrior Society Color Guard followed and featured tribal dances honoring all Native Americans that have served and that are currently serving.

The Native American Women Warriors is an organization that honors the courage, strength, and leadership of Native American women that have served in the United States Military. The Marine Warrior Society Color Guard are a group of Native Americans that serve in the United States Marine Corps and represent their native heritage and military service and wear some tribal regalia combined with military attire.