Honorary veterans Manuel Diaz, Jeremy Covington and Kendra Edmo Martinez.
By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On Monday, November 11 the Osborne family sponsored the annual Veteran’s Breakfast and honored three veterans at the Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School.
The event began with a sunrise ceremony and was followed by a traditional 49.
At the Veteran’s Breakfast, the emcees were Michael Mendez, USMC and Claudeo Broncho, USMC. The eagle staff and flags were brought in by local veterans, while Medicine Thunder sang the flag and victory song.
FHBC members Nathan Small and Lee Juan Tyler did the welcoming address and thanked the breakfast cooks, veterans, and everyone in attendance.
A sunrise ceremony starts the day's events.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock Stormie Perdash also spoke during the welcoming and recognized the many Native American people who serve in the military. Perdash said, “Native Americans are the most served ethnicity in the military and it’s probably due to the warrior mentality that we have.”
Local veterans carry in the colors during the annual Veteran's Breakfast on November 11.
The three veterans honored include: Kendra Edmo Martinez who was given a shawl for her service in the U.S. Navy, Jeremy Covington who was given a vest for his service in the US Marines, and Manuel Diaz who was also presented a vest for his service in the U.S. Army.
Veterans carrying in the eagle staff and flags.
After the honoring, everyone in attendance was encouraged to shake hands with the three honorary veterans, while FHBC member Donna Thompson gifted pins to all veterans in attendance.
Community members were encouraged to get up and speak. Tribal member, Andrea Dunn spoke about being a war mother. She said everyone has a mother and grandmother, and that war mothers are important. “Take care of your veterans. All mothers share the same type of heartache,” said Dunn.
There was a raffle drawing that was a fundraiser for the Fort Hall Veteran’s Memorial Park, the items raffled were a tanned hide, Pendleton blanket, Pendleton vest, hand drum, Veteran’s baseball caps, and a military emblem.
Veterans receive t-shirts at the breakfast.