Clearmont Historical Group Program Honors Native American Veterans

On Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m., the Clearmont Historical Group held a program honoring Native American veterans, since November is also Native American Heritage Month.

Ira Roadfier talked about Ira Hamilton Hayes who was a U.S. Marine during WWII. Like his father, who fought in WWI, Hayes enlisted in the Marines in 1942.

He was one of the six men in the iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by photographer Joe Rosenthal. Hayes was an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, located in Arizona. Roadifer talked about the Japanese occupation of the island, and how the American troops fought to capture the island with its two airfields.

Robert Prusak talked how the Native American’s had contributed to the U.S. Armed Forces in all of the wars, beginning with the American Revolution. During the Civil War, Ely Samuel Parker, a Seneca Indian, served as adjutant U.S. Grant and he wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox. Native American’s have always been present and ready to step up when duty calls.

Prusak also talked about the Navajo Code Talkers and their contribution to the allied forces during WWII.

Will Betz played TAPS on the cornet to end the program.

Refreshments were served at the Clearmont Historical Center and the Clearmont Library, where there were photos of area veterans.

Although Mickey Wolf, Native American Veteran, could not attend, he will give a talk on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. to celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the Clearmont Historical Center. The Center currently has on display a large collection of artifacts from area ranchers, and there will be refreshments following the talk.

For more information call the Center at (307) 758-4685 or email at clearmonthistory@gmail.com