Veterans Reports and News
A Special Page Listing of Veteran Websites
Native American Vets Missing Out On Benefits
National Native American Veterans Association
Honoring, Remembering and Supporting our Veterans
This month on November 11, 2005, we show honor and respect for our Veterans from all wars and pray for those who are overseas at this time, fighting in another war.Services to be provided for PTSD beginning December 1, 2005
Celebrating Native American Heritage - Fort Myer 2005
Reflections - Thoughts of a Vietnam Veteran
Canada's National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memoria
Remembering Pearl Harbor the 60th Anniversary
Marine Birthday by Del Abe Jones
Return to Beauty by Jeanette Long
There are several Veterans' related reports on this site.
November 2005, Respecting Traditions, Embracing a Healthy Future
World War II Navajo Code Talker Honored
VIDEO SPECIAL Veterans Day at Arlington West, Santa Monica
Report on the usage of American Indian Imagery in the Air Force
How To Support Our Troops on Veteran's Day
Navajo Air Force Captain Overcame Many Obstacles
Special traditions honor Iowan who died in Iraq
David Rice is laid to rest beside friend
By COLLEEN KRANTZREGISTER STAFF WRITER
Published May 6, 2005 Sioux City, Ia. — Raymond White stood beside the open grave Thursday in Sioux City and described to those gathered the bitterness he felt upon learning that his son's best friend, U.S. Army Spc. David Rice, had died in Iraq. "I wanted to go over there, and I just had that feeling of killing someone in my heart," White told those attending the military burial of Rice, 22, of Sioux City. Instead, White, an American Indian, traveled to his reservation and returned, having been freed of some of the bitterness about the loss of the man who was "like a son." "Today we come to bury him and put him back in Mother Earth," White said during the burial, which combined military honors and Native American ceremonies. Rice died April 26 after his armored Humvee rolled near Muqdadiyah, about 50 miles northeast of Baghdad. Rice, a gunner, had been standing in the middle of the vehicle at the time the incident happened. Relatives were initially told the Humvee was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, but military officials later described the death as an accident that was being investigated. The funeral for Rice, the 29th Iowan to die in Iraq or Afghanistan, drew about 350 mourners to a Sioux City auditorium Thursday afternoon. "Never in a parent's life or in a mother's heart can anyone imagine the pain of the loss of a child," Sioux City Mayor Karen VanDeSteeg told the crowd. "We are thankful he was willing to go war on our behalf," VanDeSteeg said to Rice's family seated before her. Rice was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was serving with a regular Army unit based at Fort Riley, Kan. Some of those who knew Rice through the Army sent e-mails to his family upon learning of his death. The Rev. Roger Graf, with Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, said during the funeral that he read some of those and heard stories about Rice from family and friends. "Over and over again, I heard about David's smile," Graf said after describing how Rice was a hardworking yet mischievous young man. "That smile will be missed." The e-mails also described Rice as being "a natural leader" and "well liked by all." Rice graduated in 2001 from Sioux City East High School, where he had participated in football, wrestling and track. He then joined the Army. He was buried Thursday in Logan Park Cemetery next to his best friend, White's son, Dustin, who died in an accident in 1999. White said Rice had learned the Native American ways from spending time in the White home and respected what he learned. After military officials removed the U.S. flag from Rice's casket, folded it and presented it to Rice's mother, Laurinda Finken, White made his own presentation. He draped a Native American quilt over the casket and presented one to Finken and one to Rice's grandfather, Ralph Maslonka. He also gave Finken an eagle's feather, after which three men began a series of drumbeats and Native American chanting as the casket was lowered. Many began to cry softly as they watched the casket of the 10th Iowan to die in Iraq in the past four months disappear into the ground.
Please note more to be added as I revise this website.
Last updated on December 17, 2005