Sunday

"As a soldier, we've sworn to protect against enemies both foreign and domestic,"

 "They've been spraying them with water and mace and other things," said Wilbur Hilton, of Flint, a retired plumber and Vietnam War-era U.S. Army veteran. "We as veterans want to know if they can do the same to us. And if they will do this to us veterans of the military, then what does that tell us about our country?"

The veterans, easily identifiable in hats and camouflage jackets, remain far outnumbered by campers in plainclothes.

At a campsite about 50 yards away, Iraq War Veteran Derrick Banaden, 33, of San Marcos, Texas, was helping put up the big green tent.

Asked what he thinks will happen in the next few days, he said, "Good things."

He said it's the first time veterans have had he chance to protect the "original people" of this land.

Sense of duty draws U.S. veterans to Dakota pipeline

Veterans interviewed by Reuters gave a plethora of motives for traveling here. Some felt it was their patriotic duty to defend protesters, especially since Native Americans have historically had an active presence in the U.S. military. “We’re under constant surveillance with helicopters and planes flying over. There is a military boundary with barbed wire,” said Angie Spencer, 34, a clinical psychologist from Seattle who has worked with veterans.

Native Americans serve at a high rate in the armed forces, according to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A 2012 report showed more than 150,000 veterans of Native American descent. U.S. Defense Department data as of 2014 put Alaskan/Native American service members at more than 24,000.
Source

Oceti Sakowin Camp near the Standing Rock Reservation on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 near Cannon Ball.

Veteran Derrick Bamden, 33 of San Marcos, helps put up a shelter tent for other veterans in the Oceti Sakowin Camp

Army veteran Andrew Jansen of Colorado Springs helps put up a shelter tent for other veterans in the Oceti Sakowin Camp

Veteran Tim Lester of Bend, OR, left, and Daniel Perry, 33 of Milwaukee, right, help put up a shelter tent for other veterans in the Oceti Sakowin Camp

Veterans attend a Sioux tribal welcome meeting at Sitting Bull College as 'water protectors' continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, in Fort Yates, North Dakota, U.S. December 3, 2016. Reuters/Stephanie Keith

A veteran works to clear snow from inside of a large sleeping tent inside of the Oceti Sakowin camp as 'water protectors' continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S., December 3, 2016. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

Jim Blok, a veteran, walks past a veteran camp in Oceti Sakowin camp as 'water protectors' continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S. December 3, 2016. Reuters/Stephanie Keith

Steve Perry from the Odawa tribe displays his Army medal for the camera in Oceti Sakowin camp as 'water protectors' continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S. December 3, 2016. Reuters/Stephanie Keith 


Responses to "US Vets at Standing Rock: We're On the Right Side of History"

  1. Bless you all!

  2. https://www.facebook.com/notes/james-rogers-bush/oh-mother/1250532265003107

  3. Margot Mc Callin says:

    Thank You for helping so much!

  4. The Vets being there are the reason they backed off on the route of the pipeline! I don't believe in coincidence!They are a good force and should stay put for the duration. I wish I could be there,,,but my spirit is anyway!

  5. Just remember,,this is a temporary thing while they do an environmental study,,,a stall tactic! Maybe in hopes that the veterans go home...don't fall for it!

  6. ***MUST READ***
    (PRESS RELEASE from Dakota Pipeline Business Partners)
    Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics Partners Respond to the Statement from the Department of the Army
    https://www.facebook.com/jockdoubleday.writer/posts/1153857351336232

  7. The Rainbow Tribe has come together, and now we will All be One!

  8. Anonymous says:

    There’s a typo in this sentence, it should read “have had the chance”. Missing a t.

    «He said it's the first time veterans have had he chance to protect the "original people" of this land.»

    <3

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