Thanks for supporting Southeast Alaska Native Veterans

Bt Myrna Brown

Juneau Empire-The Southeast Alaska Native Veterans officially recognizes and extends its deepest appreciation to the following: Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 2, Sealaska Corp., Goldbelt Inc., Tlingit & Haida Regional Housing Authority, SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium and Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Without your support it would be extremely difficult for this group to move forward; your endorsement and support is invaluable to all Native veterans. Gunalcheesh.

The veterans have served in all branches of the military and their dedication and commitment in serving our country affords us to live in a safe environment. Many of our men and women have left their homes and families for long and extended periods of time sacrificing what we take for granted everyday; special occasions such as a birth of a child, a child’s birthday, being able to get together during a holiday, etc. The Southeast Alaska Native Veterans members meet the first Wednesday of each month.

  If your organization would like more info or be on our agenda call 463-7105.

I admire these individuals who always bring in the forefront the need to hold each other up expressing that when they meet the respect is present; they share stories of what they went through. I had the opportunity to write an article on two individuals; James Lindoff, Jr. Some of his words were "Losing my buddies was hard; we did okay until the last week where we ran into heavy contact." He also stated that being Native was not the best thing; you had a hard time in the military." Another person was George Bennett; he stated "I do know that the guys from Hoonah who were in the field say action can attest to the culture up bringing; the way we hunted and fished attributed to our survival." Both received a number of prestigious medals and both served in Vietnam. I concluded one article with "He said they celebrated on their way home and as they were landing and thought they had people welcoming them and as they got closer they found this wasn’t so; there were signs of hate and opposition; a different kind of war had taken place for American citizens; another challenge for them to overcome. On that end note I want to share that on Veterans Day in November we are planning to officially recognize the returning Vietnam warriors; something that has not happened yet; a welcome home and we also plan to recognize recent men and women who have or are returning back home from Iraq.

Our recent annual Memorial Day "Tribute and Honor" on May 25th was successful. We appreciate Butch Laiti and Dan Neal for salmon donations; appreciate Laura Sheldon and Audrey Brown for all their hard work, thank you to William Brown, Charla Bennett, Kathy Lindoff, Benita Koenig, Lena Jimmy, Jackie Johnson and Sharon Lee for assisting during service. A special thank you to Juneau High School band students Maverick Yadao and Sam Cordero and to Harold McKinley, Sr. for his beautiful music.

Myrna Brown

Juneau