Sargent-Thamm

Around town, he was known as “the drunken Indian.”

He was born on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona in 1923.

To Native Americans, water symbolizes liquid life, the blood of the Earth. His family knew that, he knew that.

At the date of his birth, his parents, both members of the Pima Indian tribe, were still not classified by the United States as citizens. Although Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act in 1914, Arizona did not allow Indians to vote until 1948.

Despite their lack of recognition by the government, the [family] proudly kept an American flag displayed on a wall in their home."

You've probably heard his story before - Ira Hayes, famous Native American, whose heroics was immortalized in the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph, and a song by none other than Johnny Cash, who sang:

“Gather 'round me people
There's a story I would tell
'Bout a brave young Indian
You should remember well
From the land of the Pima Indian
A proud and noble band
Who farmed the Phoenix Valley
In Arizona land.”

The Peace Page has previously shared many stories of Ira Hayes, from his heroics to his loyalty to his friends, such as the popular story of when he walked and hitchhiked 1,300 miles to visit the mother of his deceased friend [see Peace Page archive], who was one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima, but was originally not recognized.

This year, for Veteran’s Day and National Native American Heritage Month, the Peace Page once again updates Hayes’ story with new information from the 2023 book “Ira Hayes: The Akimel O'odham Warrior, World War II, and the Price of Heroism”, written by Tom Holm, professor emeritus of American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation with Muskogee Creek ancestry, and a Marine Corps Veteran of the Vietnam War.

In his book, Holm addressed the stories that Hayes was an alcoholic, who died of alcoholism. According to Holm, Ira was less an alcoholic, then he was kind of a victim of PTSD. It’s kind of the tale of the “drunk Indian,” so I wanted to kind of correct that with this book.”

Holm said Hayes was born “one generation” after the Akimel O'odham, or Pima, people suffered a “terrible famine” on the Gila River reservation.

“The reason for the famine is because the crops failed, and it was because of the siphoning off of the water from whites around the reservation, pretty much stole the Gila River from the people,” Holm said. “A lot of people were dying, and a lot of livestock died.”

“Like all of the indigenous peoples, their lives were completely uprooted when settlers began claiming the land in the 19th century,” according to writer Andrew Mies.

“For a brief period of about three decades, the Pima were on an equal economic footing with their non-Indian neighbors,” explains David H. DeJong in American Indian Studies. “This economic vitality did not last, however. As [settlers] settled upstream from the Pima villages, they deprived the Indians of the water they needed to sustain their economy.”

“Had their rights been protected,” DeJong argues, “Pimas would have had an economy rivaling the local and national economies of the time. Instead of succeeding, the Pima were reduced to cycles of poverty, their lives destroyed by greed and disrespect for the law, as well as legal decisions made for personal gain.”

In songwriter Peter Lafarge’s song made famous by Johnny Cash from his 1964 album “Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian”, the song goes:

“Down the ditches a thousand years
The waters grew Ira's peoples' crops
'Til the white man stole their water rights
And the sparkling water stopped
Now, Ira's folks were hungry
And their land grew crops of weeds
When war came, Ira volunteered
And forgot the white man's greed”

The stories of Ira Hayes’ heroism at Iwo Jima are well-known, documented by the iconic raising of the flag, photographed by the Associated Press’ Joe Rosenthal. He was wounded twice, and received several medals and commendations for his bravery and service. But, after his return, he was stereotyped as the “drunken Indian,” which Cash pointed out in the song:

“Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war”

Holmes, in his book, defends Hayes, saying:

“Ira wasn’t necessarily an alcoholic; he was a binge drinker. He would go on weekends and walk into a bar in some place, and people will be starting to buy him drinks,” Holm said. “The whole kind of alcoholism stigma was more on the side of the stereotype of Indian people being prone to alcohol. Within a span of 10 years, he was arrested at least 50 times. Basically, Arizona police … were on the lookout for him. Every time he got arrested, it would be in the papers, and the whole thing because he was a hero of the war.”

Holmes also states that “he believes Hayes had PTSD, which according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wasn’t a 'mental health diagnosis' until 1980, approximately 25 years after Hayes’ death."

“I think that in many ways he didn't get any kind of help, anyway, from the government. He was kind of left on his own,” Holm said. “I'd really like for people to understand the nature of post-traumatic stress disorder. It's a combination of various kinds of things – survivor's guilt and just the trauma of watching people die and seeing bodies. Plus, seeing the destructiveness of warfare. I would really like to have people take away that the other part of this is that as Indian people ... tribes had ways of dealing with these kinds of traumas through ceremonial means. The O'odham did too, but they were kind of robbed of that through time.”

The Peace Page previously documented Hayes’ survivor’s guilt, when he returned as a hero but his friend who died at Iwo Jima was forgotten by the government. He could not, he would not leave a friend behind on Iwo Jima, and he could not, he would not leave his friend’s memory behind. He considered his fallen comrades to be the true heroes, according to biographer S.D. Nelson, who wrote, “Quiet Hero: The Ira Hayes Story.”

Also not widely known is that Hayes, who attended a Native American boarding school and dealt with discrimination all his life, also fought for the rights of Native Americans, protesting the racial property restrictions in Los Angeles in the 1940s and advocating for water rights in Washington, D.C.

“Ira Hayes returned a hero
Celebrated through the land
He was wined and speeched and honored
Everybody shook his hand
But he was just a Pima Indian
No water, no home, no chance
At home nobody cared what Ira’d done
And when did the Indians dance”

“Hayes’ life was cut short at the age of 32 when he died in Bapchule, Arizona,” wrote Boston.

“He died drunk early one morning
Alone in the land he fought to save
Two inches of water and a lonely ditch
Was a grave for Ira Hayes.”

Holm said that even the facts of his death was misleading, saying, “I got a hold of his death certificate and it has on there acute alcoholism ... testimony said that he was drinking some cheap wine, which is actually low in alcohol content. And then went out on the desert and died. He actually died of hypothermia. Flat out just went out and went to sleep.”

When Johnny Cash, who was a long time champion of many indigenous causes, heard Hayes’ story, he knew he had to share it and give Ira Hayes the respect he deserved, but he soon found out that “radio stations across the country began to refuse to play the song, citing not wanting to anger any of their listeners,” according to Mies.

Cash spoke his mind on the treatment of Native Americans, according to La Farge. “Johnny wanted more than the hillbilly jangle. He was hungry for the depth and truth heard only in the folk field.”

Cash, in a public letter he paid for, wrote to the powers that be behind the radio stations, “

“D.J.’s – station managers – owners, etc., where are your guts? …

“The name Ira Hayes had been used and abused in every bar across the nation.

“These lyrics, I realize, take us back to the truth…

“I had to fight back when I realized that so many stations are afraid of 'Ira Hayes.'

“Just one question: WHY???”

~~~~~

Doms Desk writes Ira Hayes “was a hero and a victim, a patriot and a rebel, a warrior and a peacemaker. He was a man who sacrificed his life for his country, but also suffered from its injustice and indifference. He was a man who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, but also died in a ditch in Arizona. He was a man who was proud of his Native American heritage, but also struggled with his identity and his place in society. He was a man who was haunted by the war, but also inspired by its spirit. He was a man who was Ira Hayes.”

“Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes
But his land is just as dry
And his ghost is lying thirsty
In the ditch where Ira died.”

~ jsr

11/08/2023

I Love Lucy

When The Three Stooges starred in "Three Little Pigskins" in 1934, in a small role, the cast included 22-year-old Lucille Ball.

Rocking blonde hair rather than her patented red hair, Ball is seen here 17 years before the debut of I Love Lucy.

11/06/2023

Message sent by elves!

10/31/2023

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam, other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to Sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said,

“I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said,

"This is one of my gentlemen from Vietnam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.''

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.

“That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,'' he said.

I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.👇
READ MORE•• https://fabliyo.com/heartwarming-love-story-of-elderly-couple-married-for-91-years/

~ Original Author Unknown .

Read also: https://kingdomofdoggo.com/adorable-best-pup-with-serious-performance-in-wedding-ceremony/

10/22/2023

Female Worker Ann Zarik at the Armor Plate Division, Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corp., contributing to the war effort - 1943

LIFE Magazine Archives - Margaret Bourke-White Photographer

10/05/2023

Charlie Chaplin died aged 88.
He left us 4 statements:
(1) Nothing is eternal in this world, not even our problems.
(2) I like to walk in the rain, because no one can see my tears.
(3) The most wasted day in life is the day we don't laugh.
(4) The six best doctors in the world...
1. sunshine,
2. Rest,
3. Exercise,
4. diet,
5. Self-esteem
6. friends.
Keep them in all stages of your life and enjoy healthy life...
If you see the moon you will see the beauty of God.....
If you see the sun you will see the power of god..
If you look in the mirror, you will see God's best creation.
Believe it then.
We are all tourists, God is our travel agent who already made our itineraries, bookings and destinations...
Trust him and enjoy LIFE.
Life is just a journey!
Live today!!!!

"Charlie and Scraps (Charlie Chaplin)" 24" x 24" Woodcut on screen-print, paint... coffee stained paper, collaboration Sargent-Thamm

09/27/2023

https://lnkd.in/gfSn7cAZ

I would like to thank Teresa Freeman for giving me a voice and venue for sharing my perspectives on thriving as a creative person in life and business. I am humbled by her professionalism and kind words.

09/25/2023

09/20/2023

Good man

09/09/2023

Looking forward to hosting this at GMU's Prince William campus. Gonna find some local plants and turn them into cool eco-prints.

The Veterans and the Arts Initiative presents Eco-Graphic Arts Workshops (10/1 & 10/8). Create artwork using tools and plant materials as a part of processing personal experiences. Patrick Sargent, a USAF Veteran, artist, and adjunct faculty in George Mason University’s School of Art guides participants through these practices.

Open and FREE to Veterans, Servicemembers, and military family members; children ages 12 and up may participate alongside their parents: bit.ly/45iOjd9

09/04/2023

StoneBridgeArtists | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree Linktree. Make your link do more.

09/02/2023

Everyone needs help occasionally.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-prevention/

09/01/2023

I am sitting
In the morning
At the diner
On the corner

I am waiting
At the counter
For the man
To pour the coffee

And he fills it
Only halfway
And before
I even argue

He is looking
Out the window
At somebody
Coming in

"It is always
Nice to see you"
Says the man
Behind the counter