Eight U.S. military veterans from the Cherokee Nation are in Washington, D.C., this week on a tour of honor and history.
The fourth annual Cherokee Warrior Flight is taking veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam to see their respective memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol. There are more than 4,000 veterans in the Cherokee Nation.
"Native Americans have always served at a higher percentage, higher rate, than other populations, and Cherokees have always honored and revered our warriors, since before contact," said Chief Bill John Baker.
The veterans on this year’s warrior flight range in age from 70 to 92, and they served in the Army, Navy and Air Force. There were some unexpected benefits in preparing for the trip for one World War two gunner. The VA fitted him for hearing aids before the trip.
"They said, 'Oh, by the way, you're so many percent disabled, and we'll start sending you a check for $1,000 a month,'" Baker said.
There would have been nine men on the trip, but one World War II veteran died before Monday’s flight to Washington.
"He was looking forward to it and was still in pretty good health, but it just wasn't meant to be," Baker said.
Another veteran is sure to have a good time.
"We've got one World War II veteran that, in his bio, he pointed out that he was single and ready to mingle," Baker said.
The World War II veterans on the trip are Jack Shamblin, 90, of Roland, Okla.; Wayne Kellehan, 92, of Claremore, Okla.; and Johnnie Crittenden, 92, of Burbank, Calif.
The Korean War veterans going are John Swimmer, 84, of Vian, Okla.; Granvill "Buck" Murray, 84, of Claremore; and Jim Quetone, 86, of Tahlequah, Okla.
The Vietnam War veterans going are Ray Grass, 73, of Locust Grove, Okla.; and Russell Grass, 73, of Walnut Creek, Calif.
