"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Eight Veterans Honored for Their Service

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation recently honored eight soldiers for their commitment to the Cherokee Nation, its citizens, and the United States. Their service to their country spans a time frame from WWII to the present-day conflict in Iraq.

“It is a privilege to honor our veterans each month,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “These men and women have sacrificed more than most of us will ever know for the freedoms that each of us hold dear.”

Three members of the Sanders family from the Dwight Mission community in Sequoyah County were honored: Alice Sanders Singleton, Harvey “Buck” Sanders and Lorene “Dolly” Sanders Farris. Dolly’s husband, Charles Farris, from Sequoyah County, and active serviceman Mitch Sisco from Cherokee County were also honored for their military service, along with Jerry Ice Sr. of Briggs, Jerry Ice, Jr., who is stationed at Ft. Sill and Jack Pettit of Marble City.

Mitch Sisco is the son of Terry and Connie Sisco of Tahlequah. Mitch graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1999 and enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard in November of 2002. Currently, he is a Staff Sergeant in the 138th Civil Engineering Squadron, where his primary duties are the operation of heavy equipment and placement of demolition charges. During his time of service, Mitch has been deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which includes a five month tour in Baghdad in 2007, where he volunteered to serve in the critical role of Anti-Terrorism-Force Protection. Mitch is scheduled for another tour of duty later this year. Throughout his military career, he has earned numerous awards and decorations. His military travels have taken him to over 25 countries. Mitch says he is proud of his Cherokee heritage and considers every military trip as another opportunity to serve as an ambassador of the Cherokee Nation. Mitch resides in the Moody area with wife Ashley, who he considers to be a true blessing in his life.

“If I could say anything, I would ask each of you to remember the families of the soldiers,” said Sisco. “It is harder on the families than the soldier. Go by and visit with them just to let them know you care.”

Jack Pettit is the son of William and Cynthia Pettit. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. During the Vietnam War, Pettit served with the “Screaming Eagles” and served in Vietnam at a time when American casualties were at their highest. In his military career, Pettit received the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Today, he is retired and lives with his wife Mary in Marble City. Pettit has four children, Jack Jr., Marie, Michael and Jennifer.

Jerry Ice, Sr. was born in Borger, Texas to George and Jennie Ice. He was raised in Tahlequah and attended Briggs School. Jerry Ice, Sr. enlisted in the army in 1963 and became a fifth generation soldier. He was inducted at Fort Polk, Louisiana and sent to infantry and cook school. Ice served in Verdon, France and in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1967. Today, Jerry Ice Sr. is a retired maintenance worker and lives in Briggs with his wife Katie.

“It was an honor to serve in the Armed Forces,” said Rice. “I am Cherokee by blood and a veteran by choice.”

Jerry Ray Ice, Jr. was born in 1966 and is a descendant of the famous Ned Christie and Verbia L. Ice. He enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard after graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1985. Jerry Jr., went on to join the U.S. Army. He served as an engineer, combat heavy, at Fort Lewis, Washington, for four years and was later sent to participate in Desert Storm. Jerry Ice, Jr., was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004. During his time of service, he was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Southeast Asia Medal with three bronze service stars, the Combat Actions Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. Today, Jerry Jr., is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with his wife Stephanie. He has five children and one grandson.

Harvey “Buck” Sanders was born in the Dwight Mission area in Sequoyah County in 1928. The son of Edward and Nellie Sixkiller, Buck attended school at Field’s Chapel, Dwight Mission and Sequoyah Indian School. After graduation from high school, Buck joined the U.S. Marine Corps and received basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. He fought in the Korean War and was awarded the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained in action. Buck went on to serve in Vietnam and then returned to the United States, where he worked as a military recruiter in Utah and Illinois. After 20 years of service, buck retired from the military with the rank of Sergeant and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife Doris.

Charles Edward Farris was born in the Prices Chapel community north of Sallisaw to John Oliver and Mary Flavia Griffith Farris. After graduating from Sallisaw High School in 1940, Charles enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps for four months. He later attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corp. Charles was discharged with a rank of Sergeant in 1946 and went on to graduate from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah. He married a former classmate from Sallisaw, “Dolly” Lorene Sanders. Charles continued his educational pursuit at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and then attended St. Louis University, where he received a Masters in Social Work. Charles was employed as a Professor of Social Work at Barry University in Florida. He and his wife have authored a number of articles on the American Indian child and family. After retirement, Charles moved back to Sallisaw with his wife, Dolly. Charles and Dolly have traveled extensively through Europe, South American and the United States.

“I’ve always been proud of my Cherokee heritage,” said Charles. “It’s an honor and privilege. I am an honored to receive this award.”

Lorene “Dolly” Farris was born to Edward and Nellie Sixkiller in 1924. Dolly attended school in Sequoyah County and then enrolled in Sequoyah Indian Orphans School in Tahlequah, where she graduated from in 1942. Dolly continued her education at Lucy Webb Hayes School of Nursing in Washington, D.C., and was inducted into the Cadet Nurse Corps. Dolly spent six months at Foster General, U.S. Army in Jackson, Mississippi, as a Cadet Nurse. When the war was over the, Dolly and the other Cadets were relieved of their duty. She later returned to Tahlequah and worked for W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital. Dolly married Charles Farris in 1947 and was one of five Indian nurses who founded the American Indian Nurses Association. Dolly and her husband retired to Sallisaw in 1994 and is a member of the Sequoyah County Historical Association. Dolly enjoys reading and traveling the world.

“We are a patriotic family,” said Dolly. “I didn’t expect this, but I am pleased. My brother, Harvey doesn’t like to talk about the war, but he is a good Cherokee warrior.”

Dolly and her three siblings all attended Sequoyah Indian School and appreciated being there together.

Alice Sanders Singleton was born in 1922 to Edward and Nellie Sixkiller in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma Alice attended school at Field’s Chapel, Dwight Mission, Sallisaw High School and Sequoyah Indian School, where she graduated. Alice went on to enroll at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas for one year and then enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp. She received basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and ended her military service as a Corporal at Scott Field Air Base in Bellville, Illinois. Alice married Sergeant Joseph Singleton in 1946 and moved to West Virginia, where she resides today. Alice has one son and three daughters. She continues to be involved in church work and enjoys speaking about “growing up in Indian Country.”

“The Cherokee Nation is proud to honor our military men and women each month,” said Smith. “These soldiers sacrifice more than most of us will ever know for our freedoms and safety.”

The Cherokee Nation honors veterans each month at the Tribal Council meeting. If you know a veteran who is a Cherokee citizen and would like them to be recognized, contact Paulette Thomas, phone: 918-453-5541.