November 09, 2009 –
Tim Ramirez, Vietnam veteran, receiving a medal during a ceremony at Haskell Indian Nations University last Friday night. Prairie Band veterans, along with other Native American veterans, received a medal and blanket as a tribute to their service in the military. Tim is the Director of Public Works for the PBPN and a member of We-Ta-Se.
A wide view of the veterans who were honored during the presentation. PBPN veterans Frank Shopteese, Ralph Lundin, Joe Jessepe, Roy Hale, Jerry Tuckwin and Barry Coffin were all honored at the ceremony.
Jim Potts and Frank Shopteese are on the We-Ta-Se staff.
Both are Vietnam veterans
MAYETTA: The We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 is participating in several events this week in honor of veterans.
The group began their activities last Friday night when part of the We-Ta-Se Color Guard posted colors at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts opening of the American Indian Art Galleries in Kansas City. That same evening other Prairie Band veterans were honored by receiving a medal and blanket during a ceremony by the Haskell Veterans Club at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. Deceased veterans were also recognized at the event.
Today We-Ta-Se was involved in a veterans’ commemoration at Royal Valley High School (Hoyt, Kan.) and tomorrow they will participate in the Annual American Native American Symposium located at the University of Missouri Kansas City (Kansas City, Mo.). On Wednesday they will march in a Veterans Day parade in Leavenworth, Kan. and on Thursday travel to Everest, Kan. where they will interact with Everest Middle School children in a veterans’ event. On Friday, We-Ta-Se will lay a wreath at the PBPN Veterans Memorial Wall in Prairie Peoples Park at noon which the public is invited to attend.
This year four names are being added to the wall including Lucius Darling (WW I), Ronald E. Jacobson (Korea), Edwin Jessepe (Korea-Vietnam), and Grant Magnauck (WWI-WWII). Presently 371 names are listed on the wall.
The We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 began in 1985 and is one of the oldest Native American Legion Posts in the United States. The Post is located in a building called We-Ta-Se at 15434 K Road, Mayetta, KS 66509 which houses offices, a conference room and a museum of Potawatomi veteran memorabilia. Two full-time staff are available for providing transportation services and other assistance for Prairie Band Potawatomi veterans. The group meets regularly and appears at local pow-wows, groundbreaking ceremonies, funerals, Potawatomi Gatherings and parades. Post 410 also plays an active role in the community and is particularly supportive of activities for youth and elders.
We-Ta-Se has an extensive website located on this site that includes a list of veterans’ names on the wall, photographs of recent events, a calendar of events, and other contact information.
In honor of Veterans Day, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation government offices will be closed on Wednesday.