Service, honor and respect: strengthening our cultures and communities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Kroll
  • Native American Heritage Month committee
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Native American Heritage Month enhances cross-cultural awareness, mutual respect, understanding and promotes harmony, pride and espirit de corps, but the main objective of Native American Heritage Month, observed each November, is to recognize and honor the original people of America.

"Since the birth of America, Native Americans have contributed immeasurably to our country and our heritage, distinguishing themselves as scholars, artists, entrepreneurs and leaders in all aspects of our society," said President Barack Obama in last year's Native American Heritage Month presidential proclamation . "Native Americans have also served in the United States Armed Forces with honor and distinction, defending the security of our nation with their lives."

Native American's morals, values and ideals molded the American way. They show wisdom of how simple it is to put service before self, honor and respect others, especially leaders, elders and the environment. Showing respect is a basic law of life. Native Americans are respectful of other's ethnicity, culture and background. They reserve judgment on others and turn a deaf ear towards prejudice. Making us united and in remembering those who contributed so much to our country, we can teach other generations how to maintain a sense of unity.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, several events are planned throughout November to reflect this year's theme of "Service, Honor, Respect: Strengthening Our Cultures and Communities." For further information about any of the events, contact 1st Lt. Kevin Grebb at kevin.grebb@hanscom.af.mil.

Native American Heritage Month events:
Nov. 5 - Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) benefit auction and reception held at the VFW Function Hall, 30 Station St., Middleboro, Mass., at 1 p.m. Attendees may bid on native and non-native items, enjoy a luncheon buffet, raffle and more. Tickets are $10 and include a hot luncheon buffet. For further information, email MCNAA@aol.com or call 617-642-1683.

Nov. 6 - Dighton Intertribal Council Tree Ceremony at 1111 Somerset Ave, Route 138, Dighton, Mass. Those interested may meet at Council Oak Hall at 10 a.m. For further information, call 508-880-6887.

Nov. 9 - Screening of Windtalkers movie at 11:30 a.m. in Building 1612, O'Neill Auditorium.

Nov. 13 - MCNAA's National Native American Day Pow-Wow takes place indoors at the Kelly Gym, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Mass., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 4 to 16 years old. There will be limited seating, and attendees may bring a lawn chair. For further information, email MCNAA@aol.com or call 617-642-1683.

Nov. 16 - Spirit Run. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the fitness center and the run begins at 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 17 - Native American Heritage Month luncheon takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Minuteman Commons ballroom. Price is to be determined. RSVP to kevin.grebb@hanscom.af.mil.

Nov. 26 - Dighton Intertribal Council Native American Craft and Demo show. Location is to be announced. For further information, call 508-880-6887.

Nov. 23-26 - First People's Cultural Festival, Federation of Old Plimouth Indian Tribes, takes place at Water St, Pilgrim Memorial Park in Plymouth, Mass. For further information, call 508-295-8193.