Culture Exchange Highlight
Honoring Their Service

On June 23, 2007 the Oglala Sioux Tribe dedicated a monument for their war veterans in Kyle, SD.  The monument includes the names of 1,800 Oglala men and women who served in the U.S. military during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  The monument includes life-sized bronze statues of male and female Native American veterans.  According to Thomas Shortbull, President of the Oglala Lakota College, Native Americans have the highest rate of military service of any racial group.  Paying tribute has always been a part of the Oglala Sioux culture. When warriors returned from battles hundreds of years ago, the entire community welcomed them home with ceremonies.  Today, veterans are honored at every pow wow and official gathering on the Pine Ridge Reservation.