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Recipients for the 2010 Pow Wow, Medal of Valor presentations,
must be present to receive the medal.

New this year, we kindly ask that each recipient furnish a valid current military identification, or valid Veteran's Military Identification, or a copy of your DD214, to receive your medal.

Veterans, if you have already received your Medal of Valor, bring it with you to the Pow Wow this year, and receive a free, Medal of Valor Patch!

Check out the LATEST images from 2009 of the
Special Warrior's Medal of Valor and Veteran's Blanket Presentation!
and check back here for the latest 2009 images soon of Marshall and Loretta TallEagle and special presentations.

The Warrior's medal of Valor is the first medal ever minted for the Native American nations to honor all military personnel, active duty, reservists, National Guard and Veterans.  This medal has been presented to veterans and active duty personnel at various Native American events regardless of the recipient's cultural background. This medal was made an official medal through resolution of the National Congress of American Indians.

Of Special Interest and Noteworthiness

On the 65th Celebration Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the FIRST EVER, NATIVE AMERICAN, PRESENTATION was held, at which time all survivors present from that Infamous Day were presented the Warrior's Medal of Valor by Marshall Tall Eagle and Pastor Dave Gomez of The Jerusalem Center, Medford, Oregon.

This Presentation included the Ira H. Hayes, Sacaton Honor Guard, carrying the Eagle Staff and the Colors, Singers and Drums from the mainland from Oregon and Washington with their sacred ceremonial drum.

There on the grass, looking out at the watery grave-site of the U.S.S. Arizona and her crew, and the harbor and final resting place of many, of so much senseless carnage, Marhsall Tall Eagle called forth survivors that were gathered under the large canopy that had been set up for the 65th Anniversary, and presented each one with the Warrior's Medal of Valor. There were about 250 people in attendence, wives, children, grandchildren and of course the survivors of that fateful day.

Concluding the ceremony, a Victory Song was performed on the sacred drum, along with a second, memorial song. Then the Sacaton Honor Guard and Drum and Singers withdrew, folllowed by the Marine and Naval Honor Guard.

The Warrior's Medal of Valor Ceremony was conducted over a thirty to forty minute interval. There were approximately 58 survivors presented the Medal and each one wore it proudly, some in uniform, others in civilian attire.

This was an historic first for Native American participation of any kind in an official capacity, partaking in the celebrations of the annual anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

The Pearl Harbor Presentation, was one of several, that were presented while on the island of O'ahu, another large ceremony on the grounds of the "Punch Bowl Veteran's Memorial Cemetery" the "Arlington National Cemetery of the Pacific" where all whom were lost in that theater are resting. The first recipient of the Warrior's Medal of Valor was the Director for The National Cemeterys, William F. Tuerk

Another presentation was at the Tripler Army Base Hospital for disabled Veterans. Warriors Medal of Valor were also presented at the O'ahu Veteran's Center, O'ahu, Hawaii.

To wrap up that trip, all of us were guests of a Pacific Gathering of Nations, hosted by the Prime Minister of the Royal Family of Hawaii, Leon K. Siu, for a three day event with participants from Tonga, Fuji, Japan, the United States, and other countries and islands of the Pacific. There, a Native American Grand Entry was at the beginning of the three day meet, led in again by the Sacaton Honor Guard, The Eagle Staff, with singing and drums from the United States. At that time all Veteran's in attendence were awarded the Warior's Medal of Valor again by Marshall Tall Eagle and Pastor Dave Gomez.

I was deeply honored to have been a part of it, and allowed exclusive access during all of the ceremonies, as the recording photographer. The people I met will always be dear in my heart, especially the Warrior's Medal recipients, each of whom I had the privilege to do their portrature, as they were presented the Warrior's Medal of Valor.

Mickey Cox / The Right Image Photography

Marshall Tall Eagle Serna is a 14 year veteran of the US Army and the US Air Force. He is a Viet Nam Veteran who was given the vision of honoring our veterans with a medal of honor from all the First Nations people of North America. He is the originator of the Warriors Medal of Valor.

Buffalo Soldiers Veterans Awardees, 2009

Veterans Awardees, 2009

This historic medal is accompanied by certificate.

Certificate of Valor

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