BRIGHTON — The Brighton Reservation commemorated Veterans Day on Nov. 7 with a ceremony which honored the sacrifices made by tribal and non-tribal veterans.

The 37th anniversary Seminole Veterans Celebration and Recognition was held at the Florida Seminole Veterans building. Veterans and their families and friends attended the event, which opened with the Public Safety Honor Guard.

Student Josiah Holt played the National Anthem on violin, the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School student council recited the pledge of allegiance in English and Creek and Tribal leaders spoke about the importance of veterans.

“Thank you for your sacrifices, some gave their all,” said Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. “We gather for them. Because of them and their sacrifices, we enjoy the freedom we have today.”

President Holly Tiger previously worked for former Chairman and President Mitchell Cypress, who served in the U.S. Army, and recalled how important veterans are to him.

“He always had this fellowship with veterans,” President Tiger said. “In our travels, I’d see tribal and non-tribal veterans find each other and connect. Veterans across Indian Country, they called themselves to battle when they didn’t have to.”

“Most of these veterans didn’t have to serve; it was a calling for them to fight,” said Brighton Councilman Larry Howard. “We always try to encourage our youth to serve. I tell them if there is a calling to go, do it and fight for what you believe in.”

“Freedom is not free; there are many sacrifices made for it,” said emcee S.R. Tommie. “Native Americans have served in the Armed Forces for over 200 years. They have served in every conflict since the revolutionary war.”

“I’m honored and grateful to say thank you for your bravery and courage in all you do,” said Miss Florida Seminole CeCe Thomas. “My grandfather was a veteran and I am grateful to have known him for part of my life.”

Two Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School middle school students read essays they wrote about veterans.

“Veterans are the silent heroes who form the bedrock of our nation, much like the hidden foundation of a sturdy house. Their courage and sacrifice provide the vital strength that upholds our freedom and way of life,” read Jalaaya Hunsinger.

“A veteran stands calm during war, like a tree during a hurricane. Veterans do a lot for us to make the USA a better place for children to grow up in. Every year we honor them on Veterans Day,” read Zoie-Foster Snow.

Guest speaker Ret. U.S. Army Brigadier General Nolen Bivens commended Native Americans for serving in the military more than five times more any other group, despite their complex history with the U.S. military.

“This nation is proud of the contributions Native Americans continue to make,” Bivens said. “We benefit so much as a nation from their service.”

During his remarks, Bivens emphasized the importance of veterans to the nation.

“Even though things change, there are some things that remain constant,” Bivens said. “As the connection between the military and its citizens goes, so goes the nation. A grateful nation should never forget what Lincoln said in his second inaugural address: ‘…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.’ We care for our service members, their families and caregivers. These individuals gave their pledge of loyalty and the nation is committed to never forget their service.”

Bivens talked about post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by service members returned from battle and how the arts can help heal trauma. Bevins has advocated for the benefits of the arts to service members and veterans suffering from PTSD. He cited the Creative Forces program, a partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs with the National Endowment for the Arts that aims to improve those veterans’ quality of life.

“I look at Noah Billie,” Bevins said. “He came back from Vietnam, but he did something creative. He started painting and that helped him heal. His hands went from destruction to creating. We need to create spaces and opportunities for veterans to heal.”

After Bevins’ speech, the late Noah Billie was honored with a plaque honoring his four years of service in the U. S. Marine Corps. His daughter Amy Cox accepted it on behalf of his family.

“My dad’s feeling about his service is best represented in his paintings,” Cox said.

Marc McCabe, bureau chief and chief service officer of the Vietnam Veterans of America in St. Petersburg, read the list of fallen Seminole veterans. When that was complete, the Seminole veterans in attendance formed a receiving line and shook the hands of every non-tribal veteran and attendee at the ceremony.