WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Cherokee Nation’s 13th Warrior Flight departed Tulsa September 16, for Washington, D.C., with seven Cherokee veterans who served during the Vietnam War and the Vietnam Era, the Korean War and Operation Just Cause.
The Cherokee Nation funds the flights for Cherokee veterans to see the national war memorials along with visiting other sites like Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery.
All veterans on the tribe’s 13th Warrior Flight have been honored in the past with the Medal of Patriotism at the Council of the Cherokee Nation’s monthly meeting.
“Our veterans are incredibly special, and we should take every opportunity to thank them and their families for all of their sacrifices. Providing them with the ability to see these national monuments erected in their honor is one small way we can thank them,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “These warriors have served their country and their Cherokee Nation with bravery and honor.”
Chief Hoskin, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan and other tribal leaders met with the veterans during a portion of their tour in D.C. The seven veterans were also honored with a send-off banquet and were wished safe travels from Cherokee Nation leaders, including Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
“The Cherokee Warrior Flight is always a special occasion for the veterans who get to travel to Washington, D.C.,” Deputy Chief Warner said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who served our country and the Cherokee Nation, and this trip is just one small way we can say thank you.”
Mark Harper, of Olathe, Kansas, served in the Army during Operation Just Cause.
“It’s a truly unique feeling to visit Washington, D.C., for the first time ever,” said Harper. “I’m looking at it through a unique perspective of a warrior but also a Freedmen descendant. The architecture is beautiful which I truly appreciate from a background of masonry.”
During the trip, the veterans have visited monuments throughout the D.C. area including the World War 1 and World War II monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Korean Monument.
Robert Hathaway, a Navy veteran, visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of one of his comrades.
“He went down while I was trying to evacuate him,” said Hathaway. “I’ll never forget that.”
The Warrior Flight will return to Tulsa on September 19 after completing the tour of D.C.
“This annual trip honors the legacy of our Cherokee warriors, and some of these veterans are visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time ever,” said Secretary of Veteran Affairs S. Joe Crittenden. “In many ways this is a healing process for them. As veterans, even if you make it through without a scratch you’re still affected by war. Everyone gives up a piece of themselves for the effort, including the family of veterans and their friends. It’s a moving experience to share that with these heroes.”
The Cherokee Warrior Flight is similar to the national honor flight organization’s goal of helping veterans, willing and able, to see the memorials dedicated in honor of their service.
Veterans participating in the 2025 Cherokee Warrior Flight include:
Vietnam Era
- Ross Fred Reavis Jr., Navy, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Jack Hiram DeVera, Navy, of Claremore, Oklahoma
- William Moore, U.S. Coast Guard, of Miami, Oklahoma
- Michael Smith, Air Force, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Vietnam
- Robert Hathaway, Navy, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Korean War
- Danny Stanley, Army, of Collinsville, Oklahoma
Operation Just Cause
- Mark D. Harper, Army, of Olathe, Kansas.