The goal is bold, yet simple.

It’s 100,000 Oklahomans giving $25 each to honor the bravery and contributions of Oklahoma Native American service members to our country and state.

“The Season of the Warrior” campaign aims to raise public awareness and generate funding for the dedication of the Native American Warrior monument at the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park, located on the grounds of the state Capitol.

A special project of the Force 50 Foundation whose mission is to honor and empower veterans, the monument will be the first of several to be dedicated, after the 45th Infantry Arch, at the newly-developed park.

On a mission to reach 100 communities in 100 days in all 77 counties, Co-Project Coordinator Pete Reed said Oklahoma has a rich military history and it is fitting that the first monument will be dedicated to the Native American Warrior for several reasons.

The most obvious being the state’s rich Native American heritage as well as a lesser-known fact that Native Americans have the highest record of military service per capita of any ethnic group in the country, yet their stories remain underrepresented.

Additionally, Reed commented on the sad statistic that Oklahoma is number one in the country when it comes to veteran suicide, with a large number of those being Native Americans.

Reed, who recently made Kingfisher one of the stops on his tour, has served as a past chairman and special advisor on the Force 50 Foundation since its inception, along with the late Governor George Nigh, and is a former executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

Reed said Nigh, who passed away in late July, was very involved with the Native American Warrior project, serving as a special advisor on the project and will continue to hold that title in memoriam.

Others involved with the project include former University of Oklahoma head football coach Barry Switzer serving as honorary chairman, and Governor of the Chickasaw Nation Bill Anoatubby as a special advisor as well as a large team of professionals, many of whom are of Native American heritage.

All 38 sovereign tribal nations in Oklahoma will be recognized, honoring the legacy, sacrifice and strength of Native American service members.

“This project is more than remembrance, it is a commitment to building a future where the service and sacrifice of Native American warriors are honored and never forgotten,” said Debbie Lindsey, Muscogee (Creek), co-chair of the Native American Warrior project.

“I am deeply honored to serve as co-chair of the project as we bring it to communities throughout the state and am especially proud of our efforts to present it to our tribal communities and Native American warriors by visiting all 38 tribes in Oklahoma.”

Reed said legislators approved a bill last year which allocated $4.3 million for the site development of the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park, which will feature the 45th Infantry Arch as a central anchor piece.

It is anticipated the arch will be completed next summer, Reed said, and he hopes much of the funds for the Native American Warrior monument will have been raised at that point.

Reed said 100% of the $2.5 million grassroots fundraising effort will go to the project.

Once funded, he said the Oklahoma Arts Council will direct the bidding process which will be exclusive to Native American artists and sculptors.

Anyone donating $25 or more will have their name included as a “Friend of the Warrior” in a commemorative book documenting the project and campaign, Reed added.

Native American warriors have demonstrated an unwavering courage, resilience and patriotism, protecting not only their tribal lands, but also serving on the front lines for the United States throughout history, Reed said.

These men and women have served with honor, embodying values of community, sacrifice and leadership passed down through generations, he added.

The vision is to create a permanent art installation on the Capitol grounds, a place where future generations can reflect on the brav- ery of these warriors and the deep-rooted history of Native American service.

“Our goal is to make this Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park the envy of every other state,” Reed said.

“We want to make this a tourist destination, not a tourist attraction. We want people to plan a trip to go see the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial at the state Capitol.”

Donations can be made online at Force50Foundation. com (or by using the QR code on Page 2) or by mailing a check (with Warriors in the memo) to Force 50 Foundation P.O. Box 722838, Norman, OK, 73070.