PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Emily Patterson 21, Nov 3 mins
3 mins
The Ritz Herald
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks speaks at the Native American Heritage Month Celebration at the Pentagon, Nov. 20, 2024. © Air Force Senior Airman Madelyn Keech
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks celebrated Native peoples' past and present participation in public and military service

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on Wednesday celebrated Native peoples’ past and present participation in public and military service.

“Today, we celebrate the resilient and proud Native communities across this country, and we commemorate the numerous and invaluable contributions of Native peoples to public service,” Hicks said at the Defense Department’s annual Pentagon Celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

After acknowledging the numerous Defense Department organizations that worked to organize the celebration — which included the departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force; as well as the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment — Hicks pointed out the long history Native Americans have in service to the nation.

“Since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans have served in every major conflict; in civilian posts and as uniformed service members. And they’ve represented a diversity of tribal nations,” Hicks said.

“Native American Heritage Month is a time to remember and share their remarkable stories. … Their stories demonstrate that if you have a calling to serve in our nation’s military, and you’re eligible to answer that call, your commitment and your patriotism do not require you to check who you are or your traditions at the door,” she continued.

As an example of how Native Americans keeping true…

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