Honoring All Those Who Served
November 9th, 2023
Each year, we look forward to a Veterans Day program complete with music from our mixed chorus, historical background information from students, and remarks from a local veteran. This November, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, we broadened our lens to teach students about heroes who often go uncelebrated: Native American veterans.
Kassidy Plyler and Dr. Robert Carter, guest speakers from the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill, began their presentation by teaching students a bird song. Dr. Carter led a brief call and response that allowed students to hear and repeat words in the Catawba language, Siouan.
Did you know that Native Americans serve in the United States Armed Forces at five times the national average? Through an immersive slideshow, Plyler and Carter shared this and other little-known facts about centuries of service by indigenous people. On one of the lists displayed, Ms. Plyler identified her great-grandfather, several times removed; he was among the Catawba who served in the American Revolution.
The assembly was a great reminder to honor all veterans' service and actively engage with the rich history surrounding us. Consider visiting the Catawba Cultural Center on Saturday, November 18, for the Yap Ye Iswa Festival. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the Catawba culture.
View a Photo Gallery of the Event
