Cherokee Nation’s 14th Warrior Flight Visits National Monuments in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Cherokee Nation's 14th Warrior Flight departed from Tulsa on April 21, for Washington, D.C., with seven Cherokee veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Era, the Gulf War and in Kuwait.

The Cherokee Nation funds the flights for Cherokee veterans to see the national war memorials along with visiting other sites like Arlington National Cemetery.

All veterans on the tribe's 14th Warrior Flight have been honored in the past with the Medal of Patriotism at the Council of the Cherokee Nation's monthly meeting.

"Cherokees serve in the U.S. military at greater per-capita rates than any other ethnicities and have fought in every major conflict and war since this country was founded," Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr said. "This Warrior Flight is just one small way for us to say thank you to our Cherokee veterans. While we can never fully repay the debt we owe them for their service and sacrifices, we will continue to find ways to show our appreciation and ensure their contributions are never forgotten."

The seven veterans were given an honorary hat and vest from Deputy Chief Bryan Warner during a special send-off ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa prior to their flight to D.C.

"The Warrior Flight is such an unforgettable opportunity for our Cherokee veterans who get to travel to Washington, D.C.," Deputy Chief Warner said. "There are so many Cherokee men and women who selflessly served our country to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day, and I'm deeply grateful that we can offer them this trip."

Ronall Rhoads, of Stilwell, served in the Army during Vietnam and carries with him a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who came before and after him.

Lovette Vann, an Army veteran, of Tulsa, points to the name of one of his comrades listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.

"This Warrior Flight has been a chance to come here and see the history and the monuments," Rhoads said. "I served in Vietnam and I'm always excited to see the wall. My dad served in World War II, so I also wanted to see that memorial. The atmosphere here in Washington, D.C., is special. You don't just see history - you feel it. It's important to honor our veterans, because it's a reminder of what they've done to keep our country free and to have a democracy."

During the trip, the veterans have visited monuments throughout the D.C. area, including the World War I and World War II monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. The veterans also visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Arlington National Cemetery.

Lovette Vann, an Army veteran from Tulsa who served in Vietnam, visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of one of his fallen comrades.

"He was a good friend of mine," Vann said. "I always kept him in my memory, so I'm happy that I was able to find him on the wall. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors so many of my friends who died. The names are all around. This memorial shows that we have the respect and that all of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam are shown respect. People need to see this memorial - family, friends - this is a memory you never will forget."

Ronall Lewis Rhoads, an Army veteran of Stilwell looks at the names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Rhoads served during Vietnam.

The Warrior Flight will return to Tulsa on April 24 after completing the tour of D.C.

"It means so much to be part of a nation that honors our veterans and the sacrifices they've made through the years," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs S. Joe Crittenden, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. "This trip is just one way of thanking them for what they've done for our country."

The Cherokee Warrior Flight is similar to the national honor flight organization's goal of helping veterans, willing and able, to see the memorials dedicated in honor of their service.

Veterans participating in the 2026 Cherokee Warrior Flight include:

Vietnam Era

Donald Gene Butler, Navy, of Skiatook, Oklahoma

Ronall Lewis Rhoads, Army, of Stilwell, Oklahoma

Vietnam

James Thomas Hough, Air Force, of Owasso, Oklahoma

Stephen F. Jennings, Army, of Pryor, Oklahoma

Lovette Vann, Army, of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kuwait

Jack Edward Highers Jr., Navy, of Muskogee, Oklahoma

Gulf War

Vernon Dean Russell, Navy, of Uniontown, Arkansas