2018 NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Date Signed: 10/4/2018 | MARADMINS Number: 567/18
MARADMINS : 567/18
R 032058Z OCT 18
MARADMIN 567/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2018 NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH//
REF/A/PUBLIC LAW 99-471/14OCT1986/AMERICAN INDIAN WEEK//
REF/B/PUBLIC LAW 101-343/3AUG1990/NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH//
REF/C/RONALD REAGAN, “PROCLAMATION 5577-AMERICAN INDIAN WEEK, 24 NOVEMBER 1986”/PRESIDENCY.UCSB.EDU//
REF/D/NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN/NMAI.SI.EDU//
REF/E/NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH/NATIVEAMERICANHERITAGEMONTH.GOV//
REF/F/NATIONAL ARCHIVES/ARCHIVES.GOV//
REF/G/NORTHWEST PROFILES: PAPPYS HALL OF HEROES/ SEASON 29 EPISODE 2/VIDEO.KSPS.ORG//
REF/H/PAPPY BOYINGTON FIELD MUSEUM, INC./PAPPYBOYINGTONVETERANSMUSEUM.ORG//
REF/I/NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND/NAVAJO CODE TALKERS/HISTORY.NAVY.MIL//
REF/J/PUBLIC LAW 106-554/21DEC2000/HONORING THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS//
POC/T. M. VELAZQUEZ/CIV/MRA (MPE)/TEL: COM 703-784-9371/TEL: DSN 278/EMAIL: THERESA.VELAZQUEZ@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Every year during Native American Heritage Month, we take the opportunity to honor all Native Americans and to acknowledge their ongoing contributions to the success and development of our Nation.  The observance theme for 2018 is: “Sovereignty, Trust, and Resilience.”
2.  On 14 October 1986, the 99th Congress through Public Law 99-471 authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986 as “American Indian Week.”  Within his Presidential Proclamation 5577, President Reagan stated, “Many of the foods we eat and the medicines and remedies we use were introduced by Indians, and more than one highway follows an Indian trail.  Indians make contributions in every area of endeavor and American life, and our literature and all our arts draw upon Indian themes and wisdom.  Countless American Indians have served in our Armed Forces and have fought valiantly for our country.  All Americans are grateful for these lasting contributions.”
3.  Later on 3 August 1990, the 101st Congress passed a joint resolution, Public Law 101-343 designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”  President George H. W. Bush subsequently proclaimed the month of November in honor of all Native American tribes, and he also emphasized his signing into law the “National Museum of the American Indian Act” of 1989.  This Smithsonian museum opened on the National Mall, Washington, D.C. in 2004, and it is home to one of the worlds largest, most diverse collections of its kind. The museums curvilinear architecture, indigenous landscaping, unique exhibitions, and developing veterans memorial are designed in collaboration with tribes and communities from across the Native American hemisphere.
4.  In defense of their homeland and in veneration of their ancestors, Native Americans traditionally serve our Nation.  Throughout United States history, Native Americans both men and women have consistently served in the military at a higher rate relative to their small population.
5.  Ira Hayes (Pima, 1923–1955) was one of six Marines who participated in the event that has become the most iconic image of the Marine Corps the Flag Raising of Iwo Jima.  Admired by his fellow Marines, Ira Hayes was remembered as a steadfast Marine who fought through three Pacific battles during World War II.
6.  Gregory “Pappy” Boyington (Sioux, 1912-1988), was an ace WWII Combat Pilot who was a prisoner of war (POW) and recipient of the Medal of Honor.  During 1934, he graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S.  Army Coast Artillery Reserve.  In 1935, he transferred to the U.S.  Marine Corps Reserve, and soon afterward he began his aviation career.  He resigned his commission in 1941 to fly with the American Volunteer Group (AVG), the “Flying Tigers,” in Burma.  Upon returning to the Marine Corps in 1942 as an experienced combat pilot, he deployed to the South Pacific with Marine Fighter Squadron 122 (VMF-122) with the rank of Major.  In July 1943, he took command of Marine Fighter Squadron 112 (VMF-112), then in September he took command of Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (VMF-214), which was known as “Black Sheep Squadron.”  He received his nickname “Pappy” at age 31 for being a decade older than most of his Marines.  Before getting shot down and taken as a POW by a Japanese submarine, “Pappy” Boyington accumulated 26 enemy kills in aerial battle.  He was repatriated to the United States in 1945 and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions performed between 12 September 1943 and 3 January 1944 as Commanding Officer of VMF-214 in the Central Solomon Islands.  In 2007, his Idaho hometown renamed its airport “Coeur d Alene Airport-Pappy Boyington Field” and opened a military history museum bearing his name in honor of local veterans.  Currently, the museum is undergoing relocation in coordination with the future Rutan Air and Space Center.
7.  The Navajo Code Talkers (Dine, active from 1942 to 1945) used their unwritten, indigenous language to create the unbreakable code, which was critical for the Marine Corps in combatting the Japanese in the WWII Pacific theater.  Like other tribes serving in the Army, the Navajo offered their unique language in service of our Nation.  Since the code remained classified until 1968, few Americans knew of the Navajo Marines unique and invaluable contribution to the war effort. On 21 December 2000, by Act of Congress, Public Law 106-554, the Navajo Code Talkers were honored with a Congressional Medal, which was presented by President George W. Bush on 26 July 2001.  Twenty-nine gold medals were authorized for each of the original Navajo Radio Operators (MOS 0642) who developed the code, and silver medals were authorized for all subsequent Code Talkers.  The Congressional Medal is engraved with the Navajo Code Talker shield.
8.  During this observance month, commanders are encouraged to recognize and celebrate the invaluable service and selfless contributions Native Americans, both military and civilian, give to our country and Corps.  Commanders are further encouraged to conduct programs and promote participation in observance events within their commands and across their local communities.
9.  Release authorized by BGen W. H. Swan, Division Director, Manpower Plans and Policy.//