Members of the Ho-Chunk Nation perform a song to celebrate Native American veterans at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
The families of these warriors — known as Descendants of Red Arrow — have met at Volk Field since 1977 to celebrate their service, their memory, and the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division, which continues today as the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered perhaps a mile from the hangar hosting the annual pow-wow.
Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for readiness and training, receives a ceremonial blanket as a sign of respect and honor after speaking at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
“It started out as Daughters of Red Arrow with my mother and her cousins,” Thundercloud continued. “Their fathers were in World War I and they decided to do this so we don’t forget — because the descendants have to know that, without them going to war and surviving, most of us would not be here today.”
Although the group has grown to honor all Ho-Chunk military veterans at the annual pow-wow, this year’s event focused on the original 28 men who joined Mauston’s Company D, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment 100 years ago — the unit that would become the 32nd Division’s Company D, 128th Infantry Regiment and fight in four major campaigns in France.
Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for readiness and training, dances to a song that honors her military service and accomplishments as a Native American at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
The event began with a rifle salute before family members of those veterans who had passed raised a line of American flags in honor of their service. Drummers from the Ho-Chunk tribe then played a warriors’ song.
“Family members attach the flag that draped their veteran’s coffin during their funeral, and we raise those flags to honor them,” Thundercloud said.
Lt. Col. David Sands, former executive officer of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, carries the Descendants of Red Arrow flag at the retiring of the colors dance at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
“I am here today honoring my dad and I thought this is where I belong, to show my respect for him, so I brought my dad’s flag to hang with the others today,” Maisells said.
Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, assistant adjutant general for readiness and training — and a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa — spoke at the event of the Wisconsin National Guard’s important dual mission as the nation’s first military responder in times of emergency, and as the Army’s primary combat reserve. She also provided a brief history of the 32nd Division and honored all who have worn the uniform.
Lt. Col. David Sands, former executive officer of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, moves to post the Descendants of Red Arrow flag at the retiring of the colors dance at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
The Descendants of the Red Arrow presented Mathews with a ceremonial blanket that signifies wrapping the receiver with respect and admiration, and then conducted an honor song for her while she led a dance.
“The dance honored my service and thanked me for my accomplishments as a Native American,” Mathews explained. “The respect for veterans is an integral part of Native American culture, and when anyone does an honor song for me, it is the most humbling experience.”
Staff Sgt. Cody Mara, Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, assists with attaching family funeral flags to a line of honor for Native American veterans honored at the 40th Annual Descendants of Red Arrow Veterans Day Pow-Wow. The Descendants of Red Arrow celebrated their 40th Veterans Day Pow-Wow Nov. 11 at Volk Field in honor of 28 Native Americans who served in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Company D, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division during World War I. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Capt. Brian Faltinson
“This is yours, this is for your family — this is the best way we thought to say ‘thank you’ to your family member,” Day said. “We left it simple because we didn’t want to presume how you would decorate it to honor your ancestor.”
A series of pow-wow dances honored Brig. Gen. Mathews, Company D family members and then all veterans in attendance regardless of tribal membership. During the dance that retired the colors, Lt. Col. David Sands — former 32nd Brigade executive officer — carried the Descendants of Red Arrow flag.
“The grandfather of one of my best friends was one of these men of Company D, and I wanted to personally make sure that Red Arrow was represented here today,” Sands said.
Beginning this year and continuing next year, the Wisconsin National Guard is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division and the service of 15,000 Wisconsin National Guardsmen in World War I with its Dawn of the Red Arrow commemoration program. Follow www.dawnoftheredarrow.com or the Dawn of the Red Arrow Facebook page for more.