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Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces
Rare stories from more than 250 years of Native Americans' service in the military
Why We Serve commemorates the 2020 opening of the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the first landmark in Washington, DC, to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of Native veterans. American Indians' history of military service dates to colonial times, and today, they serve at one of the highest rates of any ethnic group. Why We Serve explores the range of reasons why, from love of their home to an expression of their warrior traditions. The book brings fascinating history to life with historical photographs, sketches, paintings, and maps. Incredible contributions from important voices in the field offer a complex examination of the history of Native American service. Why We Serve celebrates the unsung legacy of Native military service and what it means to their community and country.
Why We Serve commemorates the 2020 opening of the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the first landmark in Washington, DC, to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of Native veterans. American Indians' history of military service dates to colonial times, and today, they serve at one of the highest rates of any ethnic group. Why We Serve explores the range of reasons why, from love of their home to an expression of their warrior traditions. The book brings fascinating history to life with historical photographs, sketches, paintings, and maps. Incredible contributions from important voices in the field offer a complex examination of the history of Native American service. Why We Serve celebrates the unsung legacy of Native military service and what it means to their community and country.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 28, 2020
For those who may not know, the National Museum of the American Indian (https://americanindian.si.edu/) just unveiled their captivating Veterans Memorial this Veterans Day (2020) (https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/w...), and have an accompanying exhibition available online, since the world is still wrestling with the pandemic (https://americanindian.si.edu/why-we-...). This is the catalogue to that exhibition, and it is a tremendously worthy addition to anyone’s shelf-control problems, for those who value art, history, other cultures, and the veterans that have historically stood up and served for the rest of you.
If you give a donation to the museum you are gifted in return with NMAI’s quarterly magazine, a high-quality publication. This quarter’s issue was all about the memorial, the exhibition, and most importantly the complex dynamics of why Native Americans served alongside their European-birthed oppressors, and continue to serve. I loaned my copy to a friend at work, so I can’t quote from it right now; however, NMAI uses humility and empathy to show the Veteran experience from all sides, and highlight female veterans in incredible ways. There is no simple way to describe the psycho-emotional-historical layers of this topic, but the editors and writers of this book have done a commendable job in its crafting. My first true exposure to Native Americans, Inuit, and Polynesians was while in the 25th Infantry Division, 1st of the 14th, Alpha Company, and I was taught a lot about indigenous cultures at such a young age, and learned to respect the scars of History as much as the resilience of Culture.
We need to listen to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, because they have much to teach us. As humanity pushes itself towards the brink of a disastrously warming world, it is the voices and wisdom of the indigenous that could very well help us change course.
Mní wičhóni (water is life).
If you give a donation to the museum you are gifted in return with NMAI’s quarterly magazine, a high-quality publication. This quarter’s issue was all about the memorial, the exhibition, and most importantly the complex dynamics of why Native Americans served alongside their European-birthed oppressors, and continue to serve. I loaned my copy to a friend at work, so I can’t quote from it right now; however, NMAI uses humility and empathy to show the Veteran experience from all sides, and highlight female veterans in incredible ways. There is no simple way to describe the psycho-emotional-historical layers of this topic, but the editors and writers of this book have done a commendable job in its crafting. My first true exposure to Native Americans, Inuit, and Polynesians was while in the 25th Infantry Division, 1st of the 14th, Alpha Company, and I was taught a lot about indigenous cultures at such a young age, and learned to respect the scars of History as much as the resilience of Culture.
We need to listen to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, because they have much to teach us. As humanity pushes itself towards the brink of a disastrously warming world, it is the voices and wisdom of the indigenous that could very well help us change course.
Mní wičhóni (water is life).
March 15, 2023
I so so wanted to finish this, and did find insight in the chapters I read, but I have a really hard time with non fiction.
April 18, 2022
Unique book. Coffee table like format. Very well put together. The numbers of Native Americans who served sometimes triple of general population; notably Vietnam.
Predictably tragic and stupid racism interwoven like refusal to bury veterans unless widow would attest he was white and limitations on WWII codetalking program because officers couldn’t monitor the conversations despite devastating advantages they gave to US forces.
Predictably tragic and stupid racism interwoven like refusal to bury veterans unless widow would attest he was white and limitations on WWII codetalking program because officers couldn’t monitor the conversations despite devastating advantages they gave to US forces.
January 5, 2021
I thought this was interesting and enjoyed hearing the stories of Native Americans who served the US as military members. Photos added a great amount to the story.
February 8, 2021
The history of American Indians is covered from 1600s to present day. The book is written as short essays with lots of illustrations.
January 22, 2025
A thoughtful exploration of a complex topic. It has the authorial voice of a textbook. Lots of great photos. A fairly quick read and happy to have read it.
November 9, 2025
Excellent and well rounded look at Native veterans of the US military.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews