Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton (left) and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. accept flags from the Skullyville Post Veterans Association from Spiro, Oklahoma, during the Veterans Day ceremony on November 11, 2015.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma commemorates Veterans Day
Tvshka Homma, Okla.– Approximately 900 Choctaw citizens and veterans gathered on the Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds Nov. 11 to honor our country’s veterans.
The ceremony opened with Choctaw Nation’s Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., acting as master of ceremonies, introducing the Rev. Bertram Bobb to give the invocation followed by the posting of the colors by the Choctaw Nation Color Guard.
Choctaw Royalty, as represented by Miss Choctaw Nation Neiatha Hardy, Junior Miss Choctaw Nation Loren Crosby, and Little Miss Choctaw Nation Ariana Byington, signed the Lord’s Prayer and the Talihina High School band played the National Anthem and later in the program played the Armed Forces Medley.
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton thanked the veterans for their service and welcomed them, their families, and Choctaw Nation citizens for attending the ceremony.
“Today we are here to honor you, our veterans, for all the sacrifices you and your families have made for God and country and for making the United States truly the land of the free and the home of the Tvshka Homma [Choctaw for red warrior], the brave,” Chief Batton said.
He acknowledged that some families have paid the ultimate sacrifice by losing their loved ones in battle. He also recognized the number of troops who come home with depression, PTSD, and traumatic brain injuries and told them they are not forgotten.
“I want you to know today that you are the ones who inspire me,” Chief Batton said. “I look around this room and know that you inspire all of us. There are never enough words to say, so I just say Yakoke, thank you for making our world a better place.”
Guest speakers Tribal Council Speaker Thomas Williston and Colonel Bobby Yandell followed and the program ended with a 21-gun salute and taps. Lunch was served in the cafeteria on Tvshka Homma grounds.