BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community held its annual Veteran's Day ceremony at the tribe's cultural center. Hosted by the Bay Mills Pow Wow Committee, the ceremony commenced at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. Robin Bedell served as emcee for the event. The color guard entered to the drumming of the Aabizii Drum. Bucko Teeple carried the eagle staff, Larry Menominee carried the MIA flag, Irving Teeple the American flag and Robin Bedell carried the Bay Mills flag.
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Bucko Teeple gave the invocation while Tribal Chairman Jeff Parker gave the welcome address. During the invocation, Teeple referred to a four-day ceremony once held, called “brave drum.” The ceremony honored not war, but the courage and bravery of the warriors who left home to fight. He said that 13,000 Native Americans participated in the war against Iraq.
Parker welcomed the 50 people attending the ceremony. He said that the pre-U.S. warriors are still here with us today, strong in Indian Country and the U.S. Bedell talked about the many Bay Mills members who went way beyond the call of duty, never hesitating to give their best. He said many of those warriors in the community today don't talk about it, so we don't know who they are.
Guest speaker was County Commissioner Richard Timmer. Thank you to all veterans, he said, for serving their country, for putting their lives on hold for an uncertain future, for risking their lives and their mental health, and for the freedom we have today.
After a Veteran Honor Song by the Drum, Veteran Speaker Aaron Tadgerson spoke about his experience, leaving home as a teen back in 1987 to join the service. He said they talked about home, their dreams, and girls. They knew nothing about the every day realities of working and raising a family, but they did learn how fragile life was.
A Veterans giveaway of maple syrup was held, after which the flag carriers retired the help of the Aabizii Drum: Mike Willis, Jay Memegos, Al Easton, and Jamie Brotherton.
A luncheon followed, provided by the Bay Mills Resort and Casino with homemade contributions by organizers. The donation committee helped fund the event, Robert Bowen designed the program, Sara Tadgerson arranged the flowers, the cultural center decorated.
Organizing the event were Pow Wow Committee members Carrie Cameron, Rachel and Jack Kronemeyer, Irving Teeple, Carrie Kuzmik, Norma Bennett and Robin Bedell.
