A new Native American statue honored by veterans

The Riverside National Cemetery is now the first to have a monument honoring Native American veterans. The statue, sculpted by artist A. Thomas Schomberg was unveiled to the public in a ceremony on May 2.

Elliott Morris, a guest speaker at the ceremony, said his father, Joe Morris, was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers. The code talkers used their languages to create the secret code used for radio messages on the battlefield during World War II. 

“The Native Americans are well known for keeping their word,” Morris said. “Our tribal leaders said that because their ancestors agreed to the terms in the treaty, they are bound to keep their word and defend America.” 

Morris said the 12-foot bronze memorial statue, named “The Gift,” is the culmination of the promise Native Americans gave.

“The statue holds a medal in its hand, which each of the tribes received when they signed their treaty with the U.S. government,” Schomberg said. “A red, white and blue colonial flag is draped over the stoic figure’s shoulders, symbolizing early Americans.”

Schomberg grew up in Iowa and said he admired his neighbors, the Yankton Sioux. He said it was his honor to create the sculpture.

“It was a natural. Art imitates life,” Schomberg said. “This (statue) is thanking them for their service.”

​The project’s different developmental stages took about 20 years to complete. The idea started with Maurice Lyons, former chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and went through planning, resulting in raising money with the first donation of over $1 million from the Pechanga Band of Indians.

The project took the efforts of multiple groups, individuals and tribes to complete. The American Indian Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Committee, spearheaded by its chairwoman, Sharron Savage, has often worked side by side with the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee over the last 10 years to raise funds.

“It’s been a long time coming…a long time and taken many advocates to raise enough money. It’s really important, especially at this moment in our country, to recognize military service and honor history,” Representative Mark Takano (D-Riverside) said. “It is the completion of the community’s mission.”

“The committee has also been an important source of donations to the project,” said Michael Cano, vice chairman of the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee and commander of the VFW Post 1956.

Records show they have raised over $150,000 in donations in the last two years.

Morris’ father often said, “I do not fight with my rifle; it is my language that is the weapon.”