Osborne family carries on Veterans Breakfast tradition
Group photo of veterans in attendance at the November 11 event.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — For over 30 years the Osborne family has carried on the tradition of hosting the Annual Veterans Breakfast on November 11.
The event is meant to honor all Native veterans and give them the opportunity to share a meal and their stories among one another and their families.
Many stories were printed in the Veterans Booklet put together by Marvin Osborne.
The event began with a sunrise prayer, led by Darrell Shay. Fire caretaker was Ronald Diaz. The Spring Creek drum group sang an honor song, flag song and victory song during the flag raising, inside and outside of the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.
Claudeo Broncho speaks as Marvin Osborne looks on.
Opening remarks were given by Claudeo Broncho and Nathan Small.
Broncho said the event was instilled by their elders to honor the veterans on Veterans Day.
“This is their day, our day to talk to each other. You know because lot of us, even though there’s a veteran powwow, a lot of them aren’t powwower’s. You know, so this day is set aside only for the veterans and their families,” he said.
He continued, “We fought long and hard in the different wars and skirmishes for the United States. Even helped preserve our reservation here. We need our council to support our veterans here too. You know, we need that because without the veterans you wouldn't have a reservation or have the freedom of speech and all the different rights that we have now. So that’s how important this Veterans Breakfast is that my family puts on, the Osborne family.”
Honored veterans James Scown, Arnold Appeney and Leo Neaman.
He was pleased to see all the veterans in attendance, including some from the local area and out of state.
A traditional 49, specific to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and used to honor veterans took place.
Broncho explained the 49 is used to send off veterans and in the older times the songs were used to move camp.
“During the time that we were also fighting with other tribes and so we got ready for war and so we would go to camp and get our different weapons out of all the different camps and get all the food that they need. Those prayers also went with it so that they could return. It’s very spiritual, sacred to our tribe,” he said.
He said the songs were sung during World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Panama Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, and still to this day.
Flag bearers carry out their duties before the beginning of the breakfast.
After breakfast was served, Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler offered a few words and honor song for veterans. Miss Shoshone-Bannock Develynn Hall also spoke.
Every year the Osborne family chooses different veterans to honor for their service. This year’s honorees included, James Scown (Air Force), Leo Neaman (U.S. Army), and Arnold Appenay (U.S. Marines).
Ruby Bernal spoke about the Veteran’s Park progress and said they’re still in the fundraising process, but getting closer to their goal. She’ll be selling raffle tickets during the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Veterans Powwow.
Bernal also donated a Purple Heart Flag for display in honor of all Shoshone-Bannock tribal member and other native Tribes who’ve been wounded in combat during their time of conflict. Fort Hall is one of the first Purple Heart Reservations in North America.
U.S. Air Force veteran Lionel Boyer and family at the breakfast.
Throughout the event, door prizes were drawn for with items donated by the Osborne family.
The breakfast concluded with all veterans gathering for a group photo.
The family’s goal is to teach the younger generation to respect their elders and respect their veterans. They also want those entering the military now to know they will be honored.
