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| Volume XXIII Number 1 | January 11, 2002 |
Seminole Color Guard Participate in VA Pow Wow
Submitted by Denise Hawks, RVSR, VA Regional OfficeOn Nov. 16, the Native American Equal Employment Opportunity Committee of the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg held their second Pow Wow for the Native American Heritage Day Program. The theme was "Honoring Native American Veterans, Past and Present".
The day was bright and clear without a cloud in the sky. Also participating were the Seminole Tribe Color Guard, who performed the posting of the colors for the program.
Charles Hiers, Clyde Tiger, and Craig Gopher, led the Pinellas County Honor Guard, veterans, and dancers into the circle, while the Family Drum played the veterans honor song.
A touching ceremony was conducted for POW-MIA's by Mr. David Miller which was concluded by the singing of "God Bless the USA", by Henry Battiest, Jr. There was not a dry eye in the area.
After remarks by the Medical Center Director, Thomas Weaver and Dan Weise from the Regional Office, Stephen Bowers gave a powerful speech that described what it meant to be a Native American in the military, especially as a member of the only Indian Nation that never signed a Peace Treaty.
Mr. Stephen Bowers conveyed to veterans and attendees some of the differences in culture and the impact and perceptions it created during military duty.
The participation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida in the Native American Heritage Day program has helped further a partnership that has developed over the years since the former VA Regional Office Director, Carlos Rainwater, held that position.
Mr. Weise noted that the Seminole Tribe of Florida also participated with the groundbreaking ceremony that was held for the Regional Office. This program continued that partnership.
The Seminole Tribe representatives offered insight as to the wonderful way that Native American veterans are honored in their culture and allowed all the veterans that were present to feel a moment of honoring.
We would like to thank all the members of The Seminole Tribe of Florida for supporting the Bay Pines VA Native American Committee's efforts to reach out to all Native American veterans.
Bowers has worked closely with the VA Regional Office, helping Seminole Tribe veterans file claims and has been very instrumental with their grants for compensation.
When other Native American veterans see this kind of support, they begin to ask questions about their potential entitlement to benefits and health care and start to access the benefits to which they are entitled.
The VA Regional Office, located in St. Petersburg, has a Service Center that evaluates claims filed by veterans or their dependents for possible entitlement to benefits.
The Loan Guarantee Department for veterans who are purchasing homes, which also has additional programs specific for Native American veterans, and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment division.
If you have any questions concerning possible entitlement to benefits please contact Stephen Bowers at 1-800-683-7800 ext.: 1480, or the VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.
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