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HRW Special Report: Dedication of the American Indian Veterans Memorial Location: Riverside National Cemetery, California Coverage By: Hope Rising World (HRW) News Event Overview Following its initial groundbreaking by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the highly anticipated American Indian Veterans Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery now stands fully realized. The memorial, commemorating Native American, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander servicemembers and veterans, marks a historic milestone as the first of its kind at a VA cemetery. Recent HRW News coverage of the memorial grounds captures the profound reverence of the dedication events. Attendees, including veterans, tribal leaders, military officials, and community members, gathered to honor the enduring legacy of indigenous servicemembers.

Memorial Highlights & Visuals
The centerpiece of the memorial is a striking, larger-than-life bronze statue of a Native American figure wrapped in a meticulously detailed American flag blanket. As documented in the HRW photographs, the site serves as a vital gathering space for reflection and ceremony.

Key moments from the event included:

Traditional Tributes: Attendees participating in traditional song, prayer, and ceremony around the statue, accompanied by rattles and traditional regalia.

Honoring the Eagle Staff: A uniformed first responder proudly presenting an Eagle Staff adorned with feathers and military branch patches, blending indigenous honors with U.S. military service.

Community Gathering: A diverse assembly of veterans, tribal members, and civic leaders uniting to pay their respects to the sacrifices made by Native servicemembers.

Historical Context and Significance
The completion of this memorial—co-funded by the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee and Southern California Native American tribes—provides a long-overdue physical tribute to a demographic with an unparalleled record of military service.

A Legacy of Sacrifice:

Highest Per Capita Service: Native Americans have played a significant role in every major U.S. war since 1776. As noted by former Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, more Native Americans serve in the United States military per capita than any other demographic.

World War II & The Navajo Code Talkers: Serving in all six Marine divisions in the Pacific Theater, Navajo code talkers were instrumental in defeating Imperial Japan’s codebreakers. Their contributions were so critical that Marine Corps Major Howard Connor stated in 1945, “Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.”

Post-9/11 Era: The tradition of service continues strongly today. Almost 20% (one in every five) of Native Americans have served in the U.S. Military in the post-9/11 era, compared to 14% of the rest of the U.S. population.

A Growing Recognition in California
The Riverside memorial is part of a broader, statewide movement to ensure that the sacrifices of all veterans are permanently etched into history. It stands alongside other recent California projects, such as the Korean War memorial in Fullerton, ensuring that the legacy of these brave men and women will never be forgotten.

*** Report prepared for HRWUSA.ORG

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