Representatives from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors joined the Jamul Indian Village of California Tribe (JIVCT) to commemorate Veterans Day, marked with an exclusive event at Jamul Casino on Wednesday.
Chair Nathan Fletcher and Supervisor Joel Anderson met with the JICVT in this sixth annual luncheon which paid tribute to 53 members of the Tribe who had served in the US military. Veteran organizations Saddles in Service and Zero8hundred attended, giving check presentations to honor the courage of both active duty and ex-soldiers.
JICVT Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto commented: “Native Americans have a long history of military service, and at a higher rate than any other demographic. This event offers the Tribe an opportunity to honor this legacy, and to thank our Jamul Casino veterans.
"For the first time this year, the Tribe is doubling its annual Veterans Day donation by offering two checks for $10,000 each to local organizations serving veterans. Both recipients this year – Saddles in Service and Zero8hundred – are doing heroic work for our veterans, changing one life at a time. We're truly honored to be able to recognize their service and those who have fought so bravely."
According to research gathered by Jon Simkins and Claire Barret of the Military Times, Native Americans have served in the US military at a higher rate than any other demographic.
Since 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, nearly 19% of all Native Americans have served in the US armed forces. This is in comparison with an average of 14% for all other ethnic groups in the US.
