There have been many men and women in my life who have taken up the responsibility for freedom and joined the military. Many of the people who have known the horrors of battle will not speak of those times. Some are silent because they don’t want to relive those dark moments. Others are keeping a silent trust to those who went through the “valley of the shadow” with them and possibly didn’t make it out.

Many of those who served in the military retired from service and go into civil service. Many of our great political leaders, Principal Chiefs, Vice Chiefs and Tribal Council representatives throughout the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee have had a tour of duty in the armed forces. Some have chosen to continue to give back to the communities they love while continuing to honor and serve those men and women of military service, both active and retired.

One great example is Warren “Hoppy” Dupree (United States Army-Retired), who currently serves as special projects coordinator for the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143. As an EBCI tribal member, he has a special place in his heart for Cherokee community veterans and all of those who have served. You can see that in the numerous projects that Warren gets involved in, all on a volunteer basis. Warren is most comfortable doing behind-the-scenes work and doesn’t gravitate toward the spotlight. However, he found himself there last year as he was recognized by his peers as Legionnaire of the Year. Steve Youngdeer Post 143 Commander Lew Harding was quoted as saying, “I have never seen or been blessed to experience the enthusiasm, initiative and leadership that brother Hoppy has brought to us.”