Tribe Honors Vets at Annual Ceremony

By Shelley Marmor

BIG CYPRESS — The Big Cypress Entertainment Complex was filled to near-capacity for the 18th Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 9. Tribal and non-Tribal veterans as well as Tribal employees all received the invite to attend.

As with last year’s celebration, Dale Oldhorn emceed the event. Dan Bowers, a veteran himself, opened the ceremony with an invocation. Following Bowers, the Color Guard presented the colors and the Ahfachkee School students recited the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Miccoskuee.

Seminole Tribal citizen Spencer Battiest followed with a musical rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” Singer-songwriter Rosanna Parodi then sang “God Bless America.” Moses “Bigg Shot” Jumper Jr. recited a veteran’s poem, which he wrote himself.

Several other Tribal citizens made presentations including Florida Miss Seminole Christine McCall and Fort Pierce Liaison Sally R. Tommie. McCall thanked all the veterans, namely her father, uncle and cousin, who have all served. Tommie gave an informative presentation on the serviceman who guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington , Va.

Many of the Tribal Council and Tribal Board representatives made presentations thanking the veterans for their service. Chairman Mitchell Cypress emphasized the fact that “somebody has to sacrifice” so the U.S. can remain a free country.

A very emotional Ralph Sanchez, Immokalee liaison, thanked all the veterans and briefly acknowledged his late brother and Marine Corp Sergeant Clifford Sanchez Sr. Hollywood Board Representative Gloria Wilson also gave a very emotional speech, saying the Vietnam War era was very difficult for her because eight of her family members served in the war.

Three sixth grade students from the Ahfachkee School, Alfred Billie, Jessica Lopez and Beth MacElroy, read essays paying tribute to the veterans. These three were selected to read their essays at the Veteran’s Day Celebration out of many Ahfachkee students who also submitted essays.

Following, members of the Color Guard made presentations to both the Seminole women veterans, Camille A. Coppedge, Camille A. Frank, Constance Williams and Paula Garcia, and the two Tribal veterans who passed away in the last year, Henry J. Gopher and Clifford Sanchez Sr.

During the letter presentation, family members accepted plaques on behalf of their loved ones. Stephen Bowers presented the plaque to Gopher’s family; he and Gopher are both ex-U.S. Army men. Charles Hiers presented the plaque to Sanchez’s family. Hiers and Sanchez are also both ex-Marines.

“This young man was good and we miss him,” Hiers said.

Following this, emcee Oldhorn asked both the Seminole veterans, one Miccoskuee Trial veteran, Don Osceola, as well as all non-Tribal veterans to come to the front of the room. The men and women formed a processional line and shook one another’s hands. So many veterans attended this ceremony there was almost not enough room for them all at the front of the room near the stage.

Cherokee-Comanche musician Micki Free then played a special honoring song on the flute that he said he wrote specifically for the occasion and did not appear on any of his albums. Military Taps, performed by John Branzer followed. Reverend L. W. Howard from the Faith Chapel Family Worship offered the closing prayer.