PABLO — Freedom isn’t free; and nobody knows that better than America’s veterans.

An emotionally-charged ceremony honoring the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal veterans took place Friday afternoon at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center in Pablo. Tribal leaders put a special emphasis on honoring Vietnam vets who have never been rightfully honored, chairman E.T. “Bud” Moran said in the welcoming.

“When we came home, we were spit on and had cans and stuff thrown at us,” Moran, a Vietnam veteran himself, said. “We want to thank both the veterans and their families for this service.”

Vietnam veteran Tony Incashola echoed those sentiments in his blessing, “Look upon the families that were left behind, continue to give us guidance and support in our daily lives as we move forward.”

“This is always an emotional time for me,” Incashola said. “When I see the colors come in I see the faces of those who have sacrificed their lives so that we may enjoy what we have today. We must never forget what they have done for us. We must continue to honor them on a daily basis.”

Reuben Mathias was invited to speak to the audience as well, ending his tribute with an original song to the veterans.

“You veterans make me so proud for all that you have done,” he said. “Native people have been fighting for our country since the beginning of time and we know that peace always comes with war. We will always stand up for our country to protect all the others who can’t.”

Finally, guest speaker from Helena, Brigadier General Harold J. Stearns, shared his lifelong passion and deep respect for America’s military.

“I loved wearing the uniform; my life changed for the better because I wore the uniform,” he said. “We live in turbulent times – we always seem to have those – but we know the best opportunity for peace is always vigilance. We all know the bottom line — freedom, freedom, freedom. We’re the greatest country in the world because of that bottom line. And that’s why we have to honor those who serve.”

From the Flathead Reservation alone, more than 339 Native American soldiers fought in the Vietnam War and 238 are still alive today. Nationally, however, less than one percent of Americans have served.

“Courage and war, two things that veterans are experts on,” Stearns said, mentioning one celebrated local Native American war hero, “Chuck” Louis Charlo, who was one of the first men to raise the American flag on Iwo Jima. “Driving through Ronan today, all I could think about was Tomy Parker. One day I will meet him and thank him for his sacrifice. Without our vets, there wouldn’t be an America.”

After the ceremony, the Tribe handed out thick American flag blankets to each registered Vietnam vet. A prime rib lunch and the Veteran Warrior Society Powwow followed the event.