Miigwech to all Veterans

Native Americans have long history of serving in the United States military. Native Americans serve in the United States’ Armed Forces at five times the national average and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years.

Young men of the Mille Lacs Band volunteered in high numbers to serve in the Civil War (1861-1865). Meanwhile in 1862, the Band was instrumental in keeping peace among the Ojibwe during the Dakota War in Minnesota. In recognition of good conduct during the Dakota War, the Mille Lacs Band received a guarantee in the 1863 and 1864 treaties with the U.S. government that Band members would not be forced to leave the Mille Lacs Reservation, becoming henceforth the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

To all who have served in the United States Military, we say miigwech for your service.

FEATURED MILLE LACS BAND VETERAN

Henry Bonga III, Mille Lacs Band Member, son of the late Hank Bonga. Henry is a U.S. Army Veteran, Infantry 11H (TOW), 7th Infantry Division, serving from 1986-1987.

Henry joined the Army when he was 17 years old. His mom signed the papers so he could join at a young age. “I wasn’t making good decisions up until then,” Henry said. “Joining the Army was finally a good decision.” While serving he was part of Operation Golden Pheasant, an emergency deployment of U.S. troops to Honduras.

According to Wikipedia, the United States, under President Ronald Reagan, dispatched elements of the 7th Infantry Division (Light) Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on a no-notice deployment. This small force landed at Palmerola Air Base (now known as Soto Cano Air Base) and were moved quickly into position at a Honduran military base to facilitate the guarding of a local general. An international special operations unit led by Orlando Lentini, and the aviation assets of Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B) stationed on Pamerola AB, worked along with the 7th Infantry Division and were on the ground several days when the 82nd Airborne elements arrived. The deployment evolved into a live-fire exercise, the light infantry soldiers, paratroopers, and special operations unit deployed ready to fight, causing the Sandinistas to rapidly withdraw back across their border.

Henry now lives in Michigan and is currently a heavy equipment operator and going back to school. He has also been “clean and sober since 1989," he said.

Miigwech for your service.