Memories of Banning, CA, military veterans

These Banning, CA, residents signed up to serve in the "Great War," later known as World War I. Don Robinson will share some military memories from Banning's history at our Dragonfly Lecture on Monday, March 16, 2015, at 6 p.m. at 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning. Your $5 supports our nonprofit programs to save and share Southern California's Native American cultures.

Dragonfly Gala 2010

San Manuel Tribal Color Guard © Carlos Puma

More than 300 people honored American Indian military veterans at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s annual Dragonfly Gala.

The event at Morongo Community Center featured poignant thanks and displays remembering American Indians who served in the U.S. military, including those who died in service.

Soboba Reservation display © Carlos Puma

American Indians began serving in the U.S. military long before they officially were recognized as U.S. citizens in 1924 and have the highest number serving of any minority.

San Manuel Reservation’s Tribal Color Guard posted the colors to begin the Aug. 14 event at Morongo Community Center.

San Manuel Tribal Color Guard © Carlos Puma

Pedro “Pete” Molina, California assistant secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Acting California Veterans Affairs Secretary Rocky Chavez thanked and honored American Indian military veterans. Displays included Soboba Reservation’s wall of photos, the faces of the many tribal members who served in the U.S. military, and Morongo Reservation’s more than 80 names of those on its veterans memorial.

Most military veterans present gathered for applause from the crowd.

Some military veterans at the Gala © Carlos Puma

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, a nonprofit that saves and shares Southern California American Indian cultures, gave this year’s Dragonfly Award to all military veterans.

Ernest Siva with Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin & Dragonfly Award © Carlos Puma

Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin accepted the award, which will be housed at Morongo. The Dragonfly Award will be available to travel to ceremonies or events honoring military veterans, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center President Ernest Siva said.

Author Marlowe Churchill signs history book © Carlos Puma

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center is renovating two buildings and two lots at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street into a Center for saving and sharing American Indian cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Dancing to traditional bird songs at the Gala. © Carlos Puma

The Center supports tribal work to save and revive cultural knowledge and welcomes and teaches the general public about Southern California American Indians. All proceeds from the annual Dragonfly Gala go to the nonprofit’s work.

Getting ready to dance to traditional bird songs. © Carlos Puma

Dragonfly Lecture tonight

"From Warriors to Soldiers," a look at the history of Native Americans and military service, starts at 6 at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 W. Hays, Banning.

Read more about Gary Robinson and watch a short award-winning video about Native Americans and military service here.

Navajo Code Talkers Day

According to the National Museum of the American Indian:

On July 28 in 1982, the U.S. President signed a measure officially making August 14th “National Navajo Code Talkers Day.”

Our Dragonfly Gala this year honors Native American Military Veterans ... on AUGUST 14.

Exciting!

Answering the Call: From Warriors to Soldiers

Our Dragonfly Lecture on July 26 continues exploring our theme, Answering the Call: Honoring American Indian military veterans.

We are honored that our Lecturer is Gary Robinson of Tribal Eye Productions.

Mr. Robinson, of Choctaw and Cherokee descent, is an author and film maker.

He is co-author of the 2008 book, From Warriors to Soldiers: A History of American Indian Service in the U.S. Military.

A talented and passionate film-maker, Mr. Robinson's bio says he has written, produced, directed, shot, and edited more than 100 video/television programs for and about American Indian people.

Mr. Robinson's moving short film, "I Am the Warrior," won third place in the 2009 national Veterans Day short film competition hosted by the National Museum of the American Indian.

His children's video storybook, "A Native American Night Before Christmas," was nominated for Best Animation at the 2007 American Indian Film Festival. (View sampling of the story, which includes a sleigh drawn by buffalo!)

Other works include "Those Who Defend Us," a film under contract for the Santa Ynez Chumash Elders Board. According to Mr. Robinson, this film honors Chumash veterans and active duty soldiers and is accompanied by a booklet that provides a more in-depth appreciation of those tribal veterans.

Please join us!

DETAILS:

From Warriors to Soldiers with Gary Robinson

6 p.m. Monday, July 26

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 17 West Hays, Banning, CA 92220

(the corner of Hays and San Gorgonio)

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Answering the Call

Answering the Call: Native American Military Veterans

is our theme this year.

Our Dragonfly Lecture tonight honors the sacrifices of American Indian soldiers and their families.

Angelo Schunke served on the committee at Morongo Reservation that developed the veterans memorial and he spoke at the dedication ceremony last year.

DETAILS: TONIGHT MAY 10

6 p.m.

Dorothy Ramon Learning Center

17 W. Hays, Banning, CA 92220

Donations at the door help our nonprofit save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history and traditional arts.