Chickasaw veterans honored with special tribal medals

Chickasaw veteran Jim Perry, who is also a member of the Chickasaw Nation Color Guard, proudly wears his Veterans Medal during the Thanksgiving celebration.

The two sides of the special tribal medal are shown at right. The medals were designed to recognize the service of all Chickasaw veterans who have served the country in the armed forces.

Contributed by Kerri McDonald, tribal media relations

On November 18, several senior Chickasaw veterans were honored with a special Chickasaw Nation Veterans Medal presentation during the annual senior Thanksgiving dinner. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Governor Jefferson Keel awarded the medals and a commemorative certificate to each veteran in attendance.

The medals are part of an effort to recognize Chickasaw citizens who have served in branches of the armed forces. Future presentations will be made annually in conjunction with Veterans Day to award veterans who have yet to receive their medals.

Lt. Governor Keel developed the idea and designed the medal based on the Native Warrior medal. It includes a full color representation of the Seal of the Chickasaw Nation.