Smithsonian's Native American Veteran's Memorial slated to open on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — This Veteran's Day, the Smithsonian National Native American Veterans Memorial in D.C. will open to the public for the first time.

The Memorial will honor the service and sacrifice of Native veterans, who according to Indian-Country Today, have the highest per-capita involvement of any population to serve in the U.S. military, and have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War.

The Memorial sits on the groups of the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall on 4th Street, SW, and will be open 24 hours a day.

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The Smithsonian says that the service of Native Americans in every branch of the U.S. Military will be recognized.

The design is the work of artist Harvey Pratt, a veteran, and member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. A group of Native and non-Native jurors unanimously selected his design called Warriors' Circle of Honor from more than 120 submissions.

The memorial is described as an elevated stainless-steel circle balanced on an intricately carved stone drum. According to the Smithsonian, the design incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches for gathering and reflection, and four lances where veterans, tribal leaders, family members, and others can tie cloths for prayers and healing.

The memorial will serve as a place to educate the public about the contributions Native Americans have made in the U.S. Military as well as share personal accounts of Native American war veterans so future generations can hear their stories. If you are a veteran interested in sharing your story, click here.

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An unveiling of the Memorial will take place virtually on Wednesday, which will include tributes to Native Americans and a virtual tour of the memorial. To view the unveiling, click here.

The unveiling coincides with Native American Heritage Month and the museum's release of a new book titled, Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces. The book goes online Wednesday as well.