The following is the opinion of Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota).

South Dakota is blessed to have a rich history of Native American culture and tradition. The tribes in our state have influenced our culture and way of life throughout our entire history, and shaped who we are as a people. In 1990, the federal government declared November a month to honor our country's Native American heritage. Since then, nearly every president has made a similar declaration each November, providing a time for our nation to show gratitude for the remarkable contributions that Native Americans have made to this great nation.

Coincidentally, Veterans Day falls each year in the middle of Native American Heritage Month. This occurrence highlights one of the most exceptional characteristics of our native citizens: Their dedication to the safety and security of the American people and their willingness to fight to protect freedom.

Earlier this year, I sponsored the bipartisan Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010 with Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. Native American veterans have often been disqualified in the past from receiving federal housing assistance because of an inaccurate counting method which often pushes veterans above the income threshold for housing aid. Our legislation changed the practice of counting veterans' disability compensation as income, allowing them access to housing assistance. After passing both the House and the Senate, our legislation was signed into law by the president last month.

Our state has a legacy of Native men and women serving above and beyond the call of duty in the military. Master Sergeant Woodrow Keeble was one such soldier. Master Sergeant Keeble was severely wounded while voluntarily leading troops through three successful assaults in the Korean War. While he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star, Master Sergeant Keeble never received the Medal of Honor for which he was recommended to receive. After working with the White House and others for several years, I was elated when in 2008, President Bush posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Keeble.

Just this past June, South Dakota lost another one of our finest veterans, Clarence Wolf Guts, the last surviving Oglala Lakota code talker. Wolf Guts, a Lakota code talker during World War II, has been hailed as a pivotal force in transmitting strategic military messages in his native language that our enemies could not decode. With his passing this year, we are especially mindful of the sacrifice Native Americans have made in previous military engagements, and current, on our behalf.

As we celebrate the Native American heritage this month, we are especially thankful to our Native veterans like Woodrow Keeble and Clarence Wolf Guts, who have so bravely served our state and county.