November 8, 2025 Issue, Page 18 of 20

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4B• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025 The Elk City News Monument to Honor Native Americans with Force 50 Foundation By Sheryl Ponce The 45th Infantry Arch will stand as the gateway to the Native American Warrior Monument in the Oklahoma Veterans Me- morial Park. The project is being sponsored by the Force 50 Foundation which supports the part and the mission to honor all Okla- homa veterans. More specifically, the me- morial will celebrate the diverse cultures and the courage those individuals who served the state, as well as the country. The mission begins with the tribute to Native Americans. There are 38 tribal na- tions in Oklahoma, and the campaign to dedicate the memorial has been support- ed by the Honorable George Nigh, former Governor of Oklahoma, and the Honorable Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. The two special advisors along with Coach Barry Switzer, serving as the Honor- ary Chairman, have thrown their support for the mission and the completion of the memorial. Because Native Americans are a rich part of the service members who have wo- ven their bravery and courage into the fab- ric of American history, they also have the highest record of military service per capita of any ethnic group in the country. Their crease the awareness of the project and the homa, Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Iowa Tribe To make a donation or help to support story has been underrepresented through- history of the Native American’s military of Oklahoma, Kaw Nation, Kialegee Trival the memorial fund and foundation, use the out time. This is an opportunity to honor service. Along the campaign trail, 100,000 Town, Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, Kio- QR code or make checks payable to Force the legacy of Native American’s military Oklahomans are encouraged to donate $25 wa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, Miami Tribe 50 Foundation, Memo: Warriors, and send service. to reach the fundraising goal and complete of Oklahoma, Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, to P.O. Box 722838, Norman, OK 73070. The goals of the project are to fund, com- the project. Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Osage Nation Join the challenge to contribute to the mission, and dedicate a permanent monu- All donations are appreciated and of Oklahoma, Otoe-Missouri Tribe of In- Native American Warrior Project. Go to ment on the grounds of the State Capital at help with honoring the members of the dians, Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Pawnee www.force50foundation.com for more the newly established Oklahoma Veterans 38 tribal nations. Those nations include Nation of Oklahoma, Peoria Tribe of Indi- information about the project. Memorial Park, and develop and publish a Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians, Al- ans of Oklahoma, Ponca Nation of Okla- Every donor who participates in the commemorative book that honors the Na- abama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Apache homa, Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Sac & Fox drive will have their name immortalized tive American Warriors. This can only be Tribe of Oklahoma, Caddo Nation, Cher- Nation of Oklahoma, Seminole Nation of in a time capsule to be sealed and opened done through contributions to the Force 50 okee Nation of Oklahoma, Cheyenne and Oklahoma, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Okla- in 50 years. Join other former Oklahoma Foundation. Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Chickasaw homa, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Tonka- Governors and Coach Barry Switzer who The “Summer of the Warrior” campaign Nation, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Co- wa Tribe of Oklahoma, United Keetoowah are actively supporting the monument tour began last summer with the goal to manche Nation of Oklahoma, Delaware Band of Cherokees, Wichita and Affiliated to honor Native American’s military ser- visit 100 communities in 100 days to in- Nation, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Okla- Tribes, and Wyandotte Nation. vice. (((((((((((((((((((((((( ( ( ( i˜iÊ œLLÊ
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