PARK HILL, Okla. – Cherokee Heritage Center and the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 recently hosted a monument dedication honoring Cherokee veterans who fought in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812.
“This monument honors original Cherokee veterans who served on behalf of the United States during the War of 1812,” said Dr. Charles Gourd, executive director of Cherokee Heritage Center. “The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was a pivotal battle, and the contributions and sacrifices made by Cherokee warriors were invaluable. We appreciate the Daughters of 1812 organization for recognizing their significant and impactful service through this monument.”
The dedication included remarks by Barbara Foreman, executive director of the Cherokee Nation Veterans Center, and Ruth Faulkner, president of the Oklahoma chapter of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812.
“Sadly, a number of survivors of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend were later victims of forced removal on the Trail of Tears,” Faulkner said. “They sacrificed and lost everything. It is our responsibility to see that these Cherokee veterans receive the recognition they deserve. We hope that this monument will help share their story and honor their legacies for generations to come.”
Once the design was finalized, it took a team of six from Cooperstone Products out of Ozark, Arkansas, over a week to fabricate the monument.
The marble memorial stands nearly 7 feet tall and weighs approximately 5,220 pounds. Its design is modeled after the Washington, D.C., monument and features information about the battle, as well as the names of the Cherokees killed and injured. It also includes a tribute to the stone that was dedicated by Cherokee Nation for the Washington, D.C., monument, which was placed in 1850 and is located at the 220-foot level.
The Daughters of 1812 Oklahoma Chapter is working with the genealogy department at Cherokee Heritage Center to identify those who were laid to rest within Cherokee Nation so that they may honor those individuals by placing veteran seals on their headstones.
To learn about the Daughters of 1812, please visit www.usdaughters1812.org.