Akwesasne Veterans Memorial Monument Unveiled

May 27th, 2017 was the day that the Akwesasne Veterans Memorial Monument was revealed to the Akwesasne community at Generations Park. It was a beautiful day with many community members in attendance. Some family members came to support their loved ones who are veterans, while others came to honour the veterans who have already passed. The event was set up beautifully with a huge American flag flying as soon as you pulled into the driveway. The flag along provided a front before the memorial monument was revealed. It has been a long time coming, when the project was initially the vision of one man David "Eddie" Benedict, but it was put on hold until Sub-chief Cheryl Jacobs picked it up and brought it to fruition. It could not have been completed without the help of the community and all the volunteers who helped Sub-chief Cheryl Jacobs bring this memorial monument into reality. Sub-Chief Cheryl Jacobs is a veteran herself, having served her country; she had the determination to see the project to the end.

The event began at 2 p.m. with opening remarks and introductions from Brendan White and the first speaker, Tribal Chief Ron Lafrance. Chief Ron Lafrance shared his remarks on the vision of David "Eddie" Benedict, and gave credit to Cheryl Jacobs for completing this one man's vision. He spoke about his grandfather, who also served in the military. The second speaker was Tribal Chief Beverly Cook, who also shared her remarks. She mentioned that Native Americans served in the military more than any other ethnic group. She also spoke of her uncles who have served in the military. The third speaker was Tribal Chief Eric Thompson, who addressed everyone in Kanienkeha first before going on to speak in English. He spoke about David "Eddie" Benedict and of Benedict's dream of a permanent memorial to veterans. He spoke of his uncle Paul Thompson, who Eddie originally approached with the idea of a Veterans Memorial Monument. Paul supported Eddie's idea; it was a huge effort and took a lot of time. The project eventually was put on hold, but Paul promised Eddie that the project would one day be finished. Chief Eric Thompson mentioned how fortunate he was to have worked with Sub-Chief Cheryl Jacobs, and being a part of the project.

Sub-Chief Cheryl Jacobs was the last and final speaker, she first spoke of the history of the project and the importance it had to her. She named quite a few veterans who have served or are still serving in the military. She mentioned that this was only phase one of the project. Phase Two would be the names of veterans being put on plaques, which would then be put on the memorial monument. By next month, Phase Two should be in the works, so anyone who has had a family serve in the military can fill out a form to have their family member's name engraved on a plague to be placed on the memorial monument. Once the memorial monument was revealed, the laying of the wreaths took place. The day turned out as good as it could have possibly been, although one tent almost flew away with everything in it. Everyone just took it as sign the David "Eddie" Benedict was there in spirit to see his vision completed.