The Osage Veterans Memorial Commission is hosting a veterans appreciation reception at Wakon Iron Hall on Saturday, October 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. (Location: 181 Wakon Iron Blvd, Indian Camp, Pawhuska, OK). A selection of military-related items will be on view at Wakon Iron during the event. In addition, information tables to share veteran resources and program information from the American Legion Post 198, Grayhorse War Mothers, Hominy War Mothers, will be available. The reception is free and open to the public. The reception will be catered by the Osage cook Dana Daylight and her family.
“Last year we hosted a reception to honor veterans and it was so well-received that many veterans and their family members asked if we could make it an annual event,” related commission member Frances Williams. The reception is intended to demonstrate our appreciation to the soldiers (past and present) who put their lives on the line to defend the freedom, peace and prosperity of our Country. The program will commence at 2 p.m. with a welcome by Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear followed by the flag raising and flag song by American Legion Post 198 Color Guard and Norris BigHorse. Blessing by John Maker (U.S. Army Veteran). At 2:30 p.m. the program will begin with the presentation, “Remembering Osage Veterans Who Have Passed On,” by John Henry Mashunkashey (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps).
This year the Osage Veterans Memorial Commission will recognize James L. Redcorn, Jr. as the 2024 Osage Veteran Warrior of the Year.
Redcorn enlisted in the US Army in 1989 and served as an Infantry TOW Gunner with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm. In 1994 he joined Troop E, 145 Cavalry Scouts of the Oklahoma 45th Infantry. In 1997, while serving as a Scout in the 45th Infantry, Redcorn was selected as the 5th Army Soldier of the Year and received a Meritorious Service Medal at the Pentagon. During his service, Redcorn also received an Honorable Discharge, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB), The Order of the Spur as a Scout, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal to name a few.
As a Scout, Redcorn’s unit was assigned to Joint Task Force (JTF-6) to assist the border patrol in an effort to counter the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, and during Operation Noble Eagle to provide Force Protection and border security both in Southern California and Arizona. In 2009, Redcorn left law enforcement to work for the Osage People as the Security Director for Osage Casinos. He stated he has served his country, has served another Indian Nation, and can now serve his own people.
Of this now annual event, the Honorable Marvin Stepson, Jr. (Veteran, U.S. Army) emphasizes, “Our role as Commissioners is to maintain and update the Osage Veterans Memorial which continues the tradition of remembering our warriors. This community reception is part of that responsibility. It creates a space for people to come together, eat and share, and build camaraderie so that people won’t forget the numerous sacrifices of veterans.”
For more information call: 918.287.5423 or ONM_VeteransProject@osagenation-nsn.gov https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/boards/veterans-memorial-commission
About the Osage Veterans Memorial Commission: The Osage Veterans Memorial Commission was established by the Osage Nation Congress in 2011. The purpose of the Commission is to follow the Osage Nation tradition of honoring Osage veterans and to provide a physical reminder for present and future generations of the contributions and sacrifices of Osage veterans and their families. Commission: Chair, Franklin McKinley (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy); James Norris (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army Special Forces); Marvin Stepson (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army); Frances West-Williams (President of the Hominy War Mothers and Past- President of the Oklahoma State American War Mothers); John Henry Mashunkashey (Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps).
Register a Veteran: To register a name for the Veterans Memorial, you can submit the required information using our online form: https://forms.osagenation-nsn.gov/view.php?id=38238. You will need to supply a digital copy of the person’s DD214 or mail in a physical copy.
