Native Americans in Military is Focus of DAR Meeting

Members of the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on February third to hear a presentation about the history of Native Americans in the US Military. The program was conducted by Chapter Regent Leslie Dimmling.

Using photos from the book "Warriors in Uniform" to illustrate her presentation, Dimmling made the point that Native Americans have served in the military in larger numbers than their percentage of population. This may be in part because native cultural values of bravery, honor and strength are a good match to military values.

As early as the American Revolutionary period, Native American's unique military value was recognized by General George Washington, who would as President, award "peace medals" to tribal chiefs as a gesture of good will and a way of cementing alliances. Native Americans went on to serve as scouts in the 1800's, and even rode with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Use of Native languages to transmit valuable information began during WWI. Possibly their most important contribution to military operations came during WWII, when the Navajo language was changed into an actual code, which the Native "Code Talkers" were sworn to protect. It is little known today that Native American Ira Hayes was among the soldiers pictured in the famous photo, "Flag Raising at Iwo Jima".

Developing the World War aspect of the presentation, the ladies were treated to a WWI Style "Trench Cake" ( or Front Cake) , made popular during the First World War and so named because they were baked and then shipped to our military men serving in the trenches overseas.The cake was baked by Chapter Vice Regent Isabelle Smith, using an authentic recipe from the period. In addition, Chapter member Heather Zawislak brought in the WWI Red Cross nurses uniform which she made by hand from a pattern dating to 1919, and is submitting to the DAR Heritage Crafts contest. The NSDAR, a national women's patriotic organization, is currently honoring the 100th anniversary of WWI.