Band Member Veterans Honored in Hawaii
December 7, 1941, was a day that would live in infamy and launch the United States of America into the second World War. More than 25 Mille Lacs Band members served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II from 1941 to 1945. Many Mille Lacs Band families moved to large cities to work in war-related industries.
On Sunday, December 7, 1941, at roughly 7:48 a.m., the United States Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, was surprised by a military strike by 353 aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. As a result of the attack, 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. All eight U.S. Naval battleships present on the base were dam- aged, and four were sunk. All but the USS Arizona were later raised. Also destroyed were 188 U.S. Naval aircraft.
Now 80 years later, Americans and people from all over the world gather at the naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the anniversary of that infamous day to pay tribute to those whose service and sacrifice preserved freedom and liberty at home and abroad. This memorial event also honors U.S. veterans, active-duty military, and their families. Three Mille Lacs Band veterans were invited by the Trickster Cultural Center to attend and participate: Joe Nayquonabe, Sr., Army Tony Pike, Army, and Quintin Sam, Marine Corps. (Trickster Cultural Center is an organization engaging Native American Veterans and their continuing contribution to the U.S. military.)
This special WWII 80th anniversary commemoration is an important reminder of that fateful day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It also serves as “hope that from conflict and the devastation of war, peace and friendship can occur,” according to the website.
The theme of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is “remembering our past while celebrating that once-bitter enemies can become friends and allies.” It was an honor for Pike and Quintin to represent the Mille Lacs Band veterans by carrying the Eagle Staff and the Mille Lacs Band flag respectively in the parade. Joe Sr. was honored by riding in a special trolley, reserved for combat-wounded veterans and family.
Special recognition was given to all Purple Heart recipients during a special ceremony at the event. Joe Sr. was honored with a Hawaiian lei and combat-wounded veteran ribbon for his service in Vietnam. Joe Sr. is a Purple Heart recipient.
“We were able to go on some tours while we were there, and what was interesting was going by that hospital,” Joe Sr. said. “That was the hospital they took me to when I got wounded in Vietnam. This time, I couldn’t go inside, but my sons, Joe and Pete, got to see where I had been. It was good for them to see that hospital.”
The Mille Lacs Band member veterans were also joined by other Native American veterans each representing their tribes in Michigan and Wisconsin. Pike said he was honored to be a part of this elite group and was somewhat surprised at the number of people who attend the parade. “There were people lined up ten-deep on each side of the street for the whole mile- and-half parade route,” he said. “The roar of the crowd when we marched by was incredible.”
The Trickster Cultural Center offered a few group-centered events such as site-seeing tours, luaus, and a few meals; however, travel and accommodations were the responsibility of each of the invited guests. District I Representative Virgil Wind’s office stepped in with support for the veterans.
“For me, one of the biggest things about the trip was being with other veterans and being a part of history,” Joe Sr. said. “We toured the USS Arizona memorial. Not only was it incredible viewing the sunken shipwreck, but as I read the names of those who had perished — it was very moving.”
Although there were some group activities, there was also time for individuals to explore the island and have some fun in the sun. Aside from the opportunity to march in the parade, Pike said some of his most enjoyable time was a special guided tour through a pineapple plantation and some Hawaiian Indigenous cultural grounds and learning more about the Native Hawaiian culture.
“I am not afraid to admit, up until then, I thought pineapples grew in trees,” Pike said, laughing. “I never knew they grew from the ground.”
Pike’s biggest takeaway was experiencing the indigenous
Hawaiian culture and learning of the historic similarities between the Native Hawaiians and the Native American Indians. He echoed the theme of the parade, recognizing the hope that peace and friendship is possible even after conflict and devastation.
