FORT HALL — Warriors of all ethnicities, gender and branches of the military (past, present and future) were honored at a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Hall Veterans Park on Saturday morning. The park is a memorial for members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes who served their country.

American Indians have contributed greatly to the nation’s armed forces serving with distinction throughout every American conflict in the past 200 years. Their service in the U.S. Military is greater in numbers than any ethnic group since the Revolution. Many Native Americans served as Native American Code Talkers during World Wars l and ll.

Darrell Shay, vice chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council, gave the opening prayer in his native Shoshone language and praised the vets who have fought for country.

“There’s a lot of American Indian Veterans who fought in the past during American conflicts and we will continue to do it,” he said. “We are fighting for our land. We don’t want anything to happen to our land.”

United States Marine veteran Tinker Perkins of Fort Hall, who served during Vietnam from 1966 to 1971, concurred, saying, “Natives have always been warriors and we will continue to serve.”

Gene Womack from Blackfoot American Legion Post 23 thanked the Fort Hall Veterans committee for uniting veterans of all wars.

“This is time to honor all who served and those who paid the ultimate price,” Womak said. “As veterans we learned teamwork and pride. We share a bond that few understand.”

Farhana Hibbert, chair of the Military Affairs Committee, praised the families of military men and women.

“There is a price we pay as individuals, families and as Americans,” Hibbert said.

In closing remarks, Fort Hall Business Council member Ladd Edmo, said, “It comes naturally for Sho-Bans to step up and fight for their people and fight for their country.”

The event concluded with a victory song played by Fort Hall’s Spring Creek Drum Group, a “21 Gun Salute” by American Legion Post 23 and a free barbecue cooked by Fort Hall Fire and EMS staff.