'Bloodline to be warriors'

[thedrifter]

'Bloodline to be warriors'
November 02,2004
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF


John Crazy Bear hasn't lived an easy life - but it's one he's very proud of.

This weekend, that life and those of others like him will be celebrated at the Great Saltwater American Indian Heritage and Veterans' Powwow at the Onslow County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville. The event - the first of its kind - starts Friday and runs through Sunday. It honors East Coast military veterans and American Indians.

Orphaned at a young age, the retired Marine gunnery sergeant bounced around throughout his adolescence - to the Dakotas, California, and Arizona. Joining the Corps at 15, having run away and lied about his age, Crazy Bear saw combat in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

He's a Purple Heart recipient and survivor of one the harshest battles in the Korean War, at Chosin Reservoir.

Now 73, Crazy Bear will have a prominent role organizing the Great Saltwater powwow.

"I'm so darn proud of being an Indian and a Marine - they both equal each other out," said Crazy Bear, who lives in Jacksonville. "I believe it's part of our bloodline to be warriors."

Crazy Bear, a Lakota Sioux, was born at the Sioux Indian Reservation Standing Rock in Fort Yates, N.D. Today, he keeps busy working on ethnic paintings, drawings and crafts, attending powwows when he can.

Heritage, he said, should be a source of pride for everyone.

"I encourage young people to find out their heritage before their elders pass away," Crazy Bear said.

North Carolina, Crazy Bear said, is a great place to host the event. The state has the largest American Indian population, about 80,000, east of the Mississippi River. There are 562 federally recognized tribes throughout the U.S., and they have greater representation in the military than any other ethnic group, Crazy Bear said.

At the powwow, there will be a veterans' dance to honor those who have died in combat.

About 2,000 schoolchildren will attend a private educational presentation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the American Legion Hall next to the fairgrounds. The public is invited to the Grand Entry that night at 7, but organizers said to show up between 5 and 6 p.m. to get tickets and find a place to watch.

Saturday's events begin with the annual Veterans' Parade at 10 a.m. along Western Boulevard from Coastal Carolina Community College to Brynn Marr Shopping Center, followed by a luncheon at the Disabled American Veterans' hall at 301 Roosevelt Road in Jacksonville.

Organizers said Friday's and Saturday's events will likely run past 9 p.m. and Sunday's will probably not go much past 6 p.m., depending on the length of the songs and dances.

There will be food vendors with traditional Indian food and fast food staples like hot dogs and hamburgers. A unique staple of any powwow is Indian fry bread.

"I've never been to a powwow without it," Crazy Bear said. "You can put powdered sugar or honey on it and some even make Indian tacos."

Special guests include the oldest Navajo living code talker, Walter Begaye; former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot; an American Indian military honor guard from across the Southeast; former National Geographic photographer Steve Wall; writer Harvey Arden and many others.

"This event is really geared for all veterans," Crazy Bear said. "I think anybody who hasn't been to a powwow will really enjoy it."

Daily admission for the public is $5 for adults 18 to 54 years old; $4 for teens 13 to 17 and seniors 55 and up; $3 for children 6 to 12 and free for those under 6.

Visit www.coastalcarolinaindians.com for more information.


http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com...3&Section=News

Ellie

[HardJedi]

sure wish I could go to that.

[cjwright90]

It sounds cool. Jedi, you could come out To PA and visit Miss Ellie and me, and swing down to the powwow.

[HardJedi]

well, maybe sometime. gotta finish up with school for the year first

[grayshade]

I truly understand where Crazy Bear is coming from when I consider my own Native American background (Northern Cheyenne, the ones that kicked Custer's bum). I've always felt compelled to join the military since my childhood, I guess it was the warriors blood in my veins. My people have been bred to fight. I really respect the the younger ones when they make that decision to join our beloved Corps, or any of the other branches, that's a big responsibility to uptake, whether they be Native or not. I hope all goes well with the powwow back east, sure wish I could join in on the festivities, oh well.

[yellowwing]

From thier official site, "In coordination with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune." Outstanding!

Yes, it is in the blood. Some of us were sitting around listening to one of our Elders talking about different things and traditions. He spoke about the truly evil people that use the Medicines to do harm to others.

Then he changed his voice tone slightly and looked straight at me and said, "And its the job of the Wolf Clan to kill them."

Aye-Aye Sir!

[HardJedi]

and are you of this wolf clan Yellowing? I would assume so, judging from your post.


without getting too political, and trying not to sound all wishy washy or whatever, I have always believed the pogrom of genocide against the natives of this continent should be considered our nations greatest shame. Not Slavery.

[hrscowboy]

Wolf Clan ???? what about the damn Cowboys dont leave us out...

[grayshade]

Wolf clan, eh. I'm of the Dog Society in my tribe, the other name for my society is "Dog Soldiers". They made a movie about them called "Last of the Dogmen". I agree with HardJedi about the genocide, not because I'm Native, but because I'm human. And our country is still just learning about Indians, the new museum in D.C. is a big step in the right direction.

[grayshade]

Yeah. Cowboys are a dying breed themselves, my grandpa was an Indian cowboy (oxymoron), and my uncles use to rodeo.

[hrscowboy]

Do you all know why the indians always rode painted horses ???

[grayshade]

Why's that?

[yellowwing]

No we didn't forget you Cowboys. Our teachings are open to anyone who want to learn in a good way. When a white person gets their Name and Clan, it is usually the Horse Clan.

I think that comes from the white man's 'Gift of Movement'.

On that genocide. Things happen the way they are supposed to happen. Our Grandfathers put up one hell of a fight. I know that the Seminoles never formally surrendered.

I don't think back then that the US Army had an effective doctrine to fight us. It wasn't until the coming of the Buffalo Soldiers and the policy of 'waste them all' did much strategic progress really get made out West.

Goog to meet you Grayshade!

Semper Fidelis

[grayshade]

It was awesome chatting with you, Yellowwing. And you too HardJedi. Carry on Marines, I'm out.

Semper Fi

[HardJedi]

Originally posted by yellowwing
.

On that genocide. Things happen the way they are supposed to happen.

Hmnn. not sure if I agree with you on that Yellowing. to me, that just excuses an AWFUL lot of murderers in this world.