(Fort Washakie, WY) – Veterans, community members, numerous local, state and Tribal officials as well as members of law enforcement gathered at the new The Path of Honor – Wind River Reservation Veterans Memorial on Thursday morning for the dedication ceremony.
The Path of Honor is a tribute to all military service members who live within the boundaries of the Wind River Reservation and is Wyoming’s very first memorial that honors Native American Veterans.
A dream decades in the making came full circle today. Veteran Lyle Wadda shared a little history about the memorial and the American Legion Richard Pogue Post #81.
The Post was formed in 1946 and was named for the first Shoshone killed in WWII, Richard Pogue, Wadda shared. There were 14 original members and they always wanted a home, but nothing ever came about.
Veteran Frank B. Wise donated the land the memorial sits on, which is next to his namesake building in Fort Washakie. Wadda noted Wise talked the most about creating this place but passed before this happened.
The memorial itself includes a path that leads to a collection of monuments that represent four-eras of service – Pre World War Era Service and World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and finally the Post- Vietnam & Gulf War Era. A gazebo was also built next to the monuments.
“The Path of Honor project at its core seeks to unify, include, and inspire. Encouraging us all to come together to learn about, preserve, and honor the incredible courage, commitment, and sacrifice of all veterans who have lived on the Wind River Reservation,” shared Richard Pogue Post #81 Commander Wyman Weed, Sr.
Governor Mark Gordon, Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Leaders, and Wind River Veterans addressed attendees during the ceremony.
Learn more about The Path of Honor – Wind River Reservation Veterans Memorial on their website and Facebook page.
