The day before the official holiday, Brighton vets of the Seminole Tribe of Florida were honored at their 1st Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at their new 24,325 square feet Seminole Veteran’s Building. In attendance were many friends and family.
Especially proud of the building itself that opened on May 28, 2009, the vets sat in a reserved section of the auditorium in one of the most striking veteran’s buildings ever designed or constructed by an American Indian tribe.
Veteran’s Building Shaped like the Pentagon
The extraordinary building is in the shape of a star, like the Pentagon, with meeting rooms in the tips of the star and the circular auditorium in the center for large meetings and events. The Brighton vets came up with a drawing of the proposed building and the Tribal Council agreed to finance it and build it.
Outside in a circular drive are life-size bronze statues representing each wing of the military, the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. The master artwork is created by Bronze by Cooley, a father-son team of sculptors based in Lamont, Florida. In addition, two full size bronze statues of Seminole Indian warriors, Abiaca and Osceola, tie the past history of the tribe’s warrior heroes to the valor of modern day warriors.
Guest speaker, Major Vicki Jones of Guthrie, Oklahoma told the audience she was honored to be the first guest speaker to appear on stage at the new veteran’s building.
"There no buildings back home that compare to this incredible building. I am going to go back and brag about this building. All Native American tribes should have veteran’s buildings like this," she said.
Warrior Spirit of Native American Vets
Jones, a Native American, is a helicopter pilot who has earned the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal and The Army Achievement Medal four times. She graduated from Officers Candidate School in 1980 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. "We Native Americans don’t serve for the medals," she said." We serve because our hearts are called to do so. We can not forget the warrior sprit of those who came before us."
Jones spoke at two veteran’s ceremony held by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation hosted an event the day before. "I was in tears yesterday seeing the respect the Seminole Tribe has for its veterans and the tribute you give them," she said. The new Seminole Veteran's Building is proof, she said.
Why Native Americans Serve Their Country
Jones spoke for many Native Americans who serve in the military. "My husband asked me why Native Americans are so patriotic and willing to serve considering our history? I told him the heart of the warrior lives in us. We protect our people. This is our country more than anyone else’s. It is our country, our home, and our land," she said. "You know that saying ‘Don’t tread on me?’ It certainly applies to us Native Americans, especially the unconquered people of Florida. I truly feel sorry for an enemy that faces an Indian warrior."
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