Veterans of Foreign Wars honors Native American Heritage Month

The Veterans of Foreign Wars kicked off Native American Heritage Month by honoring the thousands of Native veterans that have served in the U.S. military dating back to World War I.

In an Oct. 31 statement, the VFW said it “joins a grateful nation in honoring our Indigenous service members and veterans whose courage, skill and devotion to country have helped to defend the United States for more than two and a half centuries.”

November was designated Native American Heritage Month in 1990 by Congress and signed with a presidential proclamation by George H.W. Bush. Every president, except Donald Trump, has issued a proclamation that recognizes the month and highlights contributions to the United States by Native Americans.

The VFW said 12,000 Native Americans served in World War I before many were recognized as citizens by Congress in 1924.

“They have served with distinction, earning every major combat award, including the Medal of Honor,” according to the VFW statement. “Despite returning home to face barriers to full citizenship rights, many continued to serve, and today Native Americans serve in the Armed Forces at one of the highest rates per capita of any group in America.”

Federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have tied Native American Heritage Month to this year’s America250 celebrations.

Interior officials say that this year’s Native American Heritage Month theme “highlights our shared work.” The Interior has cited federal support to tribal nations on economic development, violent crime and a probate process that completed administrative work to distribute at least $28 million to tribal beneficiaries.