Local News

College unveils Lakota veterans monument

By Special to the Journal | Sunday, June 24, 2007

KYLE -- Oglala Lakota College officials Saturday unveiled its Oglala Lakota Veterans Monument at the Piya Wiconi Administrative Headquarters in Kyle.

More than 1,800 names of Oglala Lakota veterans from World War I, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War have been placed on bronze plaques that hang on a concrete circle. In addition to the plaques, there was an unveiling of two life-size bronze statues, one of a male Lakota veteran and the other of a female Lakota Veteran.

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Tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele and Oglala Lakota College board president Newton Cummings gave welcome addresses, and Capt. Tash Standing Soldier of the U.S. Air Force gave the keynote speech. Wilmer Mesteth, well-known spiritual leader and a Lakota Language instructor at the college, began the dedication presentation with an opening prayer.

Also, Ola Millie Rexroat, Oglala Lakota, received an Honorary Masters Degree in Lakota Leadership for her service as a pilot during WWII as a member of the WASPs. Rexroat obtained the rank of Captain in the WASPs during World War II.

“There were many positive comments by the veterans in attendance about the Oglala Veterans Mounment,” Oglala Lakota College present Thomas Shortbull.

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A life-size bronze of a male Lakota veteran is pictured after it was unveiled Saturday as part of Oglala Lakota Collegeâ€™s new veterans monument. (Courtesy photo)