Bozho
(Hello),
Veterans Day
I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal members who are currently serving our nation, and to my fellow CPN veterans for their service and sacrifices. Like most veterans, I have memories of those countless friendships, and although several were maintained over the years, I lost contact with most of them and only memories survive.
During my career, I had the privilege of working for some outstanding officers from whom I learned what leadership and devotion to duty are all about. And as an officer, I have the greatest respect and appreciation for the dozens of noncommissioned officers and airmen I had the honor of leading, working with and knowing. Without their dedication to duty and loyalty I would not have had the career I was fortunate to have.
My memories of Veterans Day activities over the past 50-plus years include leading the squadron down Main Street in St. Albans, Vermont; assisting in placing a wreath onto a Canadian memorial in North Bay, Ontario; delivering a Veterans Day message in Aviano, Italy; carrying the U.S. flag down Main Street in Shawnee, Oklahoma, as part of the CPN Veterans Organization Color Guard; and riding in the back of a CPN member’s pickup draped with CPN flags in a parade on the streets around the Capitol building in Topeka, Kansas. I continue to enjoy meeting and shaking hands with other veterans, even if I don’t know their names.
We all have one thing in common: We answered the call and we served. I feel that anyone who honorably wore the uniform should be proud of the fact that he or she served this great country and is worthy of being recognized for doing so. To all veterans, we will never forget the sacrifices you’ve made to protect our nation’s freedom.
Please respect our veterans and the flag under which they serve — not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
Scholarship signing ceremony: Makaila Cowdin
I recently had the pleasure of attending a signing ceremony at Topeka West High School in Topeka, Kansas, where Makaila Cowdin signed a letter of intent to attend Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, on a bowling scholarship. Makaila is proud of her Native American heritage and is a member of the Bourassa/Peltier family. She is a 4.24 GPA high honors student ranked in the top four percent of her graduating class and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a letterman in the award-winning Topeka West High School marching band, a state champion bowler, a leadership skills mentor, a member of the Topeka West softball team, and she received her nursing assistant certification this past summer. Makaila plans to major in biology, and her career goal is to become a pediatrician. Makaila and I are joined in the photo by the Ottawa University bowling team coach Geoff Poston and Topeka West High School coach Mike Thompson.
November CPN elder potluck
The annual Thanksgiving Feast for tribal elders is noon Nov. 17 in the CPN Community Center in Rossville, Kansas. Turkey and potatoes will be provided by senior support network staff Tracy and Pam. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by calling them at 785-584-6171. You can contribute by bringing your favorite Thanksgiving dish or dessert.
Thanksgiving Day
Please take a moment on Thanksgiving Day and give thanks to servicemen and servicewomen who are away from their families and loved ones on that day.
Finally, Peggy and I want to extend our Thanksgiving wishes across the miles from our home to yours. May your home be filled with laughter and happiness and your Thanksgiving full of love, warmth and extra-special moments.
Have a wonderful, safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Migwetch
(Thank you),
Jon Boursaw,
Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear)
Representative, District 4
785-861-7272 office
785-608-1982 cell
2007 SW Gage Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66604
jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org
Office hours:
Tues. 9-11 a.m.
Thurs. 3-5 p.m.
Other times — please call