Cherokee Nation honors two Veterans during June Council meeting

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation honored two veterans with the Medal of Patriotism during the June meeting of the Council of the Cherokee Nation.

Ronald Jack Chambers, of Broken Arrow, and Barry James Sweet, of Wagoner, were recognized by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and Secretary of Veteran Affairs S. Joe Crittenden acknowledging their service and sacrifices to the country.

Chambers entered into the U.S. Marine Corps. in November 1960 and completed his basic training in San Diego, California. In April of 1961, he was sent to Millington, Tennessee, for Aircraft Structure School. December of 1961, Chambers was sent to Atsigui, Japan, for a year to work on F8U Crusaders and A4E Sky Hawks doing structural repair and welding. He returned to El Toro, California, and worked in a welding shop until he was transferred to VMFA 542 as a structure mechanic and welder.

Chambers was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged on Nov. 27, 1964.

"It's definitely an honor to receive this. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd get something like this, but I really appreciate the Cherokee Nation for presenting this," said Chambers.

Sweet entered into the U.S. Navy on Aug. 3, 1981, and completed his bootcamp and Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, and Prototype in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was aboard the USS Arkansas CGN-41 from 1983 to 1989. He completed two World Cruises, one to the Kamchatka Coast and a trip to Libya to cross the "Line of Death." He was on the first Nuclear United States ship to transit the Suez Canal. He completed his service on Aug. 8, 1989.

Sweet then entered the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1992 until 1994, and again from 2000 until 2006. December of 2002 his Unit, MIUWU-114, was part of a Presidential Recall. From December of 2002 until July 2003, he served in Kuwait and Iraq.

In 2007, Sweet joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard and was part of the 138th Civil Engineering Unit. He was deployed to Israel, Kuwait, Cuba and Colorado. He retired from service and was honorably discharged on Nov. 13, 2013.

Sweet received the Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ 1 "M" Device, Navy Pistol Shot Medal w/ 1 Service Star, and the Navy Expert Rifle Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

Sweet thanked the Cherokee Nation council and administration for the recognition of his service.

"I just did what I was told, and we just did what we could for our country," said Sweet.

Each month, the Cherokee Nation recognizes Cherokee service men and women for their sacrifices as a way to demonstrate the high regard in which all veterans are held by the tribe. Native Americans, including Cherokees, are thought to have more citizens serve per capita than any other ethnic group, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

To nominate a veteran who is a Cherokee Nation citizen, call 918-772-4166.