Replies

I've worked with a number of Indian and Alaska Native tribes over the past couple of years, and I've found, quite ironically considering their tortured history with the U.S. government, that American Indians are some of the most patriotic Americans I have ever encountered.

At the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona (Geronimo's old stomping grounds), I saw pictures of George W. Bush hanging everywhere, and at an old desert hilltop cemetery overlooking a several churches on the reservation, I encountered a virtual forest of full-sized flag poles over the graves of deceased Apache veterans. Seems that on Labor Day (!) each year, local Apaches hoist American flags up those poles to recognize the veterans and their achievements and to celebrate their warrior culture as U.S. soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen. I couldn't believe what I saw there. It was truly amazing!