Veterans Day

Spoiler:

MILWAUKIE -- Samuel Sandoval carries a dying secret.

As one of the last 50 living Navajo code talkers, Sandoval is part of a dwindling fraternity of World War II veterans who helped develop a secret code based on their native language.
On Monday, he was one of more than 60 Native American veterans to attend Milwaukie High School's 13th annual Living History Day. This year, the nationally known event spotlighted Native American troops, a group that some say are the "unknown veterans."
Sandoval, wearing a bright red jacket and a host of medals, reminded a classroom of students, veterans and community members of the significance of the code, which was never broken and remained classified information until decades after his service.
"Who can break it? You can't do it," he said. "You're looking at one of the only ones that can."
Overall, the school expected more than 700 veterans from across the country to attend a day of recognition, which included classroom events, a schoolwide assembly and USO-style entertainment.
Vietnam veteran Tom Birdsong of Salem said he first heard of the event three years ago from a friend. Birdsong comes back every year, glad to accept a community's gratitude and relieved that he now can accept his service as a drafted soldier. He said he was glad Native American troops were being remembered.
Fredrick D. Joe/The OregonianAnnetta Townsend (left), a Pawnee tribal member from Seattle, hugs Percy Piestewa, a member of the Hopi tribe from Flagstaff, Ariz., during Monday's ceremony to honor Native American veterans at Milwaukie High School. Between them is Piestewa's granddaughter, Carla, 8, whose mother, Lori Piestewa, was the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military.

One such soldier was Lori Piestewa, 23, a mother and member of the Hopi tribe who was the first woman in the U.S. armed forces killed in the Iraq war and the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military. She was killed in the same attack in which Jessica Lynch was injured.
Her parents -- Percy and Terry -- and children flew from Flagstaff, Ariz., to attend.
Her father, Vietnam vet Terry Piestewa, said he tears up every time he talks about his daughter.
She didn't join because she thought the military needed her, but to get an education, he said. Her daughter, Carla, read aloud a poem commemorating her mother. Teacher Jeff Linman promised to frame it and place it on his classroom wall.
"I'll teach the story to my students every single year," he promised.
Freshman Gary Sequeira experienced his first Living History Day this year, an event that hit close to home because his father was in the U.S. Army.
"It's awesome," Gary said. "It's cool to see all the veterans here and how they react to being remembered. Some are crying. Some are overjoyed."
(Fredrick D. Joe/The OregonianHarvey Jim, a Vietnam veteran and Warm Springs tribal member, enjoys Living History Day on Monday at Milwaukie High School.)

This year's event drew 700 veterans and highlighted the service of Native Americans.

The event sticks with Mike Caruso, a 2004 Milwaukie graduate who returns each year to volunteer. During the assembly, Caruso stayed in the temporary museum organizers set up each year because he finds the large gathering too emotional.
"This is one of the few days of the year I'll actually cry," the 6-foot-3 metal grinder says. "Heck, my first year I was bawling."
The day wound down with a tribute close to home. After growing up in the Great Depression, Evan Winter should have graduated from Milwaukie High School but instead joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. The school awarded him a belated diploma Monday afternoon, with his grandson and great-grandson in the audience, and to a standing ovation.
The recognition sparked the school's slogan, drilled into students and staff for generations like a battle cry, in the darkened, packed gymnasium.
"Mustang born! Mustang bred! Gonna be a Mustang 'til I'm dead!"

Tarogasini wrote:I don't get this... What kind of veterans ? From which war, lol ? Or just anyone fallen for USA ? Or what...

Tilum wrote:

Tarogasini wrote:I don't get this... What kind of veterans ? From which war, lol ? Or just anyone fallen for USA ? Or what...

It's the day to remember any fallen soldier. Predominately from world war one...
Read more about it here.

~ Tilum