Gov. Anoatubby announces plans for new Chickasaw veterans center

This article appeared in the November 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

For well over 200 years, Chickasaws and other Native people have played a vital role in keeping this country free by serving in United States military forces. Historically, Native Americans have the highest rate of military service of any ethnic group in the U.S.

This year, during his State of the Nation address, Gov. Bill Anoatubby announced the Chickasaw Nation was developing plans to build a veterans center for Chickasaw veterans.

For years, the Chickasaw Honor Guard has represented all Chickasaw veterans at funerals, conferences, events and other activities. The honor guard will have its own area within the new center and all Chickasaw veterans will have a place of their own.

Gov. Anoatubby also encouraged Chickasaw veterans to create a Chickasaw Warrior Society.

“We have great respect for Chickasaws who have served inthe armed forces to protect the freedoms we enjoy,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We believe it is important for veterans to join together to support one another and offer aid and comfort to families of veterans. We are more than happy to offer the support of the Chickasaw Nation to this type of organization.”

Each year the Chickasaw Nation honors its veterans by publishing a list of Chickasaws who have served in the armed forces. The list appears in every November issue of the Chickasaw Times.

In addition to listing Chickasaws who have served in the armed forces, the Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging takes a group of Chickasaw elder veterans to Washington, D.C. each November to celebrate Veterans Day. To be eligible for the trip, an individual must be a Chickasaw veteran 60 years of age or more who has not participated in the trip before.

For information about the Elder Veterans’ trip to Washington, D.C., call (580) 795-9790.

The Chickasaw Veterans Program provides outreach services and assists with the acquisition of services from the Veterans Administration and other veterans organizations.

For more information about the veterans program call (580) 226-4821.