Patriot Nations Exhibit Coming To Crawford County Library District
The Crawford County Library District is one of just five locations in Missouri that will host the Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces traveling exhibit.
Produced by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, this exhibit will be on display January 6 through February 7, 2020.
Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces was produced by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "
Library Director Elizabeth Outar called it an honor to have the display here.
“The Crawford County Library District is very honored to have been selected by the Missouri Humanities Council as one of five sites in the state of Missouri for the Patriot Nations: Native American's in Our Nation's Armed Forces traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian,” Outar said. “The library will have a slate of weekly speakers, every Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm during the month of the exhibit, details for speakers will be posted on our website and social media outlets.”
The opening ceremonies will be conducted January 11 at 11 a.m. with Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear of the Osage Nation presiding.
“The Crawford County Library District, City of Cuba, Cuba Chamber of Commerce, and Cuba Tourism Board invite all to attend this free exhibit any time during regular library hours beginning January 6,” Outar said.
For information on tour groups or to volunteer as a tour guide, please contact Outar at 573-775-5035.
“Native Americans have served in every major U.S. military encounter from the Revolutionary War to today’s conflicts in the Middle East in higher numbers per capita than any other ethnic group,” according to a press release from the Smithsonian.
The exhibit will reveal “the remarkable history of Native American veterans through art, photography and essay.” There are 16 panels documenting 250 years of Native peoples’ contributions in U.S. military history.
According to the press release, 44,000 Native Americans served in World War II and the entire population of Native Americans was less than 350,000 at the time.
“They are Purple Heart recipients and Bronze Star medal honorees,” said Herman J. Viola, the curator emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and curator of Patriot Nations. “Many have been recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award.”