The Ho-Chunk veterans, families, and community members gathered on Saturday, November 15, for the Veterans Powwow, an annual tribute to the men and women of the Ho-Chunk Nation who have served in the United States military.

     This year’s event added significance as Chet Faith, 7th Wisconsin District Commander of the American Legion, delivered a speech honoring more than a century of Ho-Chunk military service and sacrifice.

     Faith, who has long worked alongside Native veterans across Wisconsin, centered his speech on the role Ho-Chunk warriors have played in U.S. history, from World War I to today’s National Guard deployments.

     Many Ho-Chunk men volunteered for military service long before the federal government acknowledged them as U.S. citizens.

     “Your ancestors walked this land for countless generations,” Faith said. “They prayed here, they hunted here, and they raised their families here. That same warrior spirit lives on in every Ho-Chunk veteran today.”

     Faith highlighted the twenty-five Ho-Chunk men who volunteered for World War I in the 128th Infantry, Company D, 32nd Red Arrow Division. Two of those men, Foster DeCorah and Robert DeCorah, were killed in action on August 5, 1918.

     Faith also paid tribute to Ho-Chunk women, those who served in uniform and those who held families together while loved ones were at war. He described them as “the keepers of the fire,” whose prayers, endurance, and leadership form part of the warrior’s circle.

     “To your mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters,” Faith said, “we thank you.”

     Several flags were not claimed by descendants during Saturday’s event: Henry DeCorah, Robert DeCorah, Nelson B DeLaRonde, Andrew Funmaler, Sam Little Soldier, Nett Longtail, John Miner, William Miner, Mike Standing Water, Jesse Thompson, Sam Thunder Cloud, Archie White Eagle.

     Families can contact the Ho-Chunk Tribal Veterans Office to claim their flag. They may be picked up in person or mailed, though shipping costs must be covered by recipients.