Honor
We spent this anniversary weekend as we have several times in the past couple of years - at the Native American Festival at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. We thoroughly enjoyed our 17th anniversary supper of fry bread, hominy soup, and Indian tacos while watching the dancers swirling to the drums. As usual, Barry either talked with old friends or made new ones! One man found out he was a soldier and personally invited him back on Sunday. Barry told him he was on duty but would try to make it.
This morning we both got up and put on our uniforms. Barry went on to drill, but had permission to leave early and attend the ceremonies. We pulled in within minutes of each other at the fairgrounds, just before the Grand Entry. The boys climbed up into the bleachers to get a good view of the ceremonies. Joey was there, smiling when he saw that he had gotten 2 Longs for the price of 1! There were no handshakes here. We were hugged and welcomed as honored guests. We were asked to be part of the color guard to open the powwow. A young Marine who had been wounded in Afghanistan lead the way with the warriors' staff. This was followed by Joey and another Vietnam vet carrying the flags. Barry and I were behind them as we entered the dance circle. Each member of the color guard was announced, including the pair of warrant officers who happened to be husband and wife! After once around the circle, we stood at attention for the opening prayer, which was beautifully done in Cherokee. With my limited knowledge of the language, I was really happy to pick out a few words. A memorial song was done for those no longer with us. We then rendered salutes as the flags were posted. Then all veterans were asked to come into the dance circle. As they passed near us, there were handshakes all around. It was an awesome feeling to be welcomed in as a warrior, though I felt I had no real ground to stand on. One older man welcomed me home. When I told him I had never been over, he said it didn't matter. Everyone who serves is welcomed home in the circle. The color guard led the veterans dance, and at the end we filed out the entrance to the dance circle. Then there were more handshakes and hugs. I hugged Joey and told him this was one of the biggest honors I had received. What I didn't tell him was that this was a childhood dream come true.
I grew up with an obsession with my roots. Summers were spent in the Smokies. I watched the Qualla Boundary almost dry up and die, then revive with the help first of Cherokee Bingo, then a casino. It does my heart so much good to see it thriving now. When I was smaller, I couldn't believe that I had blonde hair! Most of my relatives had dark hair and darker complexions. I even told my Granny that when I grew up my hair would finally turn dark! Well, I'm still blonde, so I don't think that is going to happen. I always wanted to be accepted though. Today, I made it. It was odd how some of the older ones looked at me. It was as if they looked IN me instead of AT me. I wonder what they saw? The smiles and firm handshakes from warriors who looked like they stepped right out of a John Wayne movie thrilled me to the core!
Joey said we honored him by coming back today, but he was wrong. The honor was all mine...
______________________
We had a wonderful anniversary. The kids enjoyed the festival as much as we did. It was funny how our reception was different today than yesterday. Last night we saw a few familiar faces from years past and enjoyed talking with people. Today, we were family. We were given our meal free from the Cherokee family making the delicious frybread. We were given CDs by one of the musicians there. Aaron bought a beautiful walking staff. In one shop, an old grandmother started talking with him as she sat at her table of beadwork. He told her about his trek at Philmont in the spring and seeing the bears there. She shared her own bear story with him. I couldn't hear the conversation, but to see him standing there talking animatedly with her and see her eyes sparkling as she spoke with him was wonderful. Daniel zipped around smiling that cute little grin of his. Both boys got a beaded necklace with their names in Cherokee, and Daniel got a bow. I had to keep him from tipping over as he was taught to string it!
Tonight I'm thankful for 17 years of marriage to my best friend in the whole world. I'm thankful for my little family. And I'm thankful for my much larger family that I was welcomed into today.
This morning we both got up and put on our uniforms. Barry went on to drill, but had permission to leave early and attend the ceremonies. We pulled in within minutes of each other at the fairgrounds, just before the Grand Entry. The boys climbed up into the bleachers to get a good view of the ceremonies. Joey was there, smiling when he saw that he had gotten 2 Longs for the price of 1! There were no handshakes here. We were hugged and welcomed as honored guests. We were asked to be part of the color guard to open the powwow. A young Marine who had been wounded in Afghanistan lead the way with the warriors' staff. This was followed by Joey and another Vietnam vet carrying the flags. Barry and I were behind them as we entered the dance circle. Each member of the color guard was announced, including the pair of warrant officers who happened to be husband and wife! After once around the circle, we stood at attention for the opening prayer, which was beautifully done in Cherokee. With my limited knowledge of the language, I was really happy to pick out a few words. A memorial song was done for those no longer with us. We then rendered salutes as the flags were posted. Then all veterans were asked to come into the dance circle. As they passed near us, there were handshakes all around. It was an awesome feeling to be welcomed in as a warrior, though I felt I had no real ground to stand on. One older man welcomed me home. When I told him I had never been over, he said it didn't matter. Everyone who serves is welcomed home in the circle. The color guard led the veterans dance, and at the end we filed out the entrance to the dance circle. Then there were more handshakes and hugs. I hugged Joey and told him this was one of the biggest honors I had received. What I didn't tell him was that this was a childhood dream come true.
I grew up with an obsession with my roots. Summers were spent in the Smokies. I watched the Qualla Boundary almost dry up and die, then revive with the help first of Cherokee Bingo, then a casino. It does my heart so much good to see it thriving now. When I was smaller, I couldn't believe that I had blonde hair! Most of my relatives had dark hair and darker complexions. I even told my Granny that when I grew up my hair would finally turn dark! Well, I'm still blonde, so I don't think that is going to happen. I always wanted to be accepted though. Today, I made it. It was odd how some of the older ones looked at me. It was as if they looked IN me instead of AT me. I wonder what they saw? The smiles and firm handshakes from warriors who looked like they stepped right out of a John Wayne movie thrilled me to the core!
Joey said we honored him by coming back today, but he was wrong. The honor was all mine...
______________________
We had a wonderful anniversary. The kids enjoyed the festival as much as we did. It was funny how our reception was different today than yesterday. Last night we saw a few familiar faces from years past and enjoyed talking with people. Today, we were family. We were given our meal free from the Cherokee family making the delicious frybread. We were given CDs by one of the musicians there. Aaron bought a beautiful walking staff. In one shop, an old grandmother started talking with him as she sat at her table of beadwork. He told her about his trek at Philmont in the spring and seeing the bears there. She shared her own bear story with him. I couldn't hear the conversation, but to see him standing there talking animatedly with her and see her eyes sparkling as she spoke with him was wonderful. Daniel zipped around smiling that cute little grin of his. Both boys got a beaded necklace with their names in Cherokee, and Daniel got a bow. I had to keep him from tipping over as he was taught to string it!
Tonight I'm thankful for 17 years of marriage to my best friend in the whole world. I'm thankful for my little family. And I'm thankful for my much larger family that I was welcomed into today.
posted by Jennifer at 11:37 PM
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