General Discussion

In the early summer, there's a Pow Wow I go to in Grand Rapids, MI. It's held in a park along the Grand River and is across the street from a home for veterans. Native Veterans are always the first to lead the Grand Entry of dancers when the Pow Wow begins. Then they go to the veteran's home to drum and sing them an honor song before a bunch of us prepare a big meal for the residents.

I remember doing this about 30 years ago, and a Vietnam veteran came up to me, tears running down his cheeks, and told me, "This is the first time anybody has ever honored my service and I'm ashamed it came from the very people my ancestors stole land from and tried to eliminate. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

I'm sure he's long gone, but I will never forget the look on his face and the words he spoke. We don't like war either, but if it comes to that, we should never forget their service.