TAHLEQUAH, Okla. —The Cherokee Nation honored four Cherokee veterans with the Medal of Patriotism during the Council’s October and November Council meetings.
Charles Gentry Rogers of Tulsa and Rita Sharon Didion of Roland were recognized by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs S. Joe Crittenden at the October Council meeting. Michael Lee Shephard of Cookson and Richard Paul Walker of Vinita were recognized during the November Council meeting.
These awards acknowledge the Cherokee Warriors’ service and sacrifices to their country.
Rogers joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1974. He dedicated five years and eight months to serving the country. He had many service stations including Eglin Air Force Base in Florida; Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma; Tehran, Iraq; and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon. Rogers was honorably discharged in October 1979.
“It is an honor to accept this, and I appreciate it,” Rogers said.
Didion joined the U.S. Army in February 1975. She completed basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, then followed with Quartermaster training for Inventory Stock Control and Supply. Didion was assigned to the 91st Ordinance Detachment, 8th Infantry in Mainz Finthen, Germany, as the only female in her 53-person unit. She attended Flight Operations Training in Fort Rucker, Alabama. She received both the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksman Qualification Badge (Rifle M-16). Didion was honorably discharged in May 1979.
“It was an honor to serve as a Cherokee veteran,” said Didion.
Shephard joined the U.S. Air Force in May of 1971. He had a Military Occupation of Administrative Specialist, where he demonstrated organizational skills and contributed significantly to the Administration operations within the Air Force. Shepherd’s military education included specialized training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Jungle Survival School in the Philippines and multiple administration courses. He was recognized with both the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Shepherd was Honorably Discharged in December 1974.
“Thank you very much for this,” said Shephard.
Richard Paul Walker entered the U.S. Army in January 1969. He completed his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Advanced Individual Training. His permanent station was in Fort Benning, Georgia as a carpenter. He served in Vietnam for a year where he built bridges and roads. He received several awards during his career including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Walker was honorably discharged in December 1974.
“I just appreciate this, and I thank you,” said Walker.
Each month, the Cherokee Nation recognizes Cherokee service men and women for their sacrifices as a way to demonstrate the high regards in which all veterans are held by the tribe. Native Americans, including Cherokees, are thought to have more citizens serve per capita than any other ethnic group, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.