Veterans Day POW WOW Honors Native Veterans

RONAN, MT (2005) - Steve Spooner lives in Montana and is a proud member of the Flathead Nation Veteran Warrior Society. For the past 13 years, the VWS has held a special Pow Wow on Veterans Day to honor all veterans. This year was an emotional event for all, as focus was turned to not only those who have served America, but also to those who are left behind: the many families and friends of soldiers and veterans. The ceremony's theme at this years Pow Wow was “They Also Serve Who Stand and Wait.”

In recognition this year, an estimated 250 all-Native honor guards and veteran groups across the country will honor the men and women who embodied the warrior tradition. As a member of the VWS Honor Guard, Steve takes this time each year to honor those who died before him and honors those who are now on active duty. Some of the duties that the honor guards perform are: funerals, honoring's, conference openings, and local Pow Wows. Steve is pictured above caring the VWS eagle staff. As you can see, they wear tribal dress which makes them very different from the VFW or other veteran group honor guards.

Steve was a Casper Crash & Rescue Specialist from May 1966 to March 1968.

Steve Spooner: redwoman1@hotmail.com