Committee hosts the 2006 American Indian/Alaskan Native luncheon

This month the committee highlighted Native Americans by hosting the American Indian/Alaskan Native luncheon at the Flight Line Café Nov. 30.

''I'd like to thank you for joining us here today as we salute American Indians and Alaskan Natives and pay tribute to all aspects of their lives; which have been interwoven throughout our culture,'' said Commanding Officer, Capt. Chip Dobson.

Dobson went on to describe how Native Americans have contributed to the armed forces throughout the years.

''During World War I nearly 12,000 American Indians and Alaskan Natives served,'' he said.

''In World War II more than 44,000 served in both the Pacific and European Theaters, including one of the Soldiers who raised the flag on Mt. Sirubachi, during the battle at Iwo Jima.''

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson thanks all the Sailors and guests who came to the American Indian/Alaskan Native Month Luncheon at the Flight Line Cafe Nov. 30. During his speech, Dobson reflected upon the thousands of Native Americans who served in the armed forces throughout history.

Dobson also stated that historically Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the armed forces three times more than those of non-Native American descent.

''Today, there are more than 13,000

American Indians and Alaskan Natives serving in the Navy and Navy Reserves alone,'' he said.

After Dobson's speech, master of ceremonies, HMCS(AW) Bryce McNair introduced the guest speaker Maynard Cox.

''Mr. Cox was born on the Nez Perce Reservation in December 1930 (the year of the deep snow). His mother and grandfather are one-half Cherokee. He left the reservation in 1947,'' stated McNair.

Cox, a well-known as a snakebite expert who has lectured around the country and appeared in National Geographic, used to run the snakebite clinic at NAS Jacksonville, and now serves as assistant safety director for the base.

''It's an honor and a pleasure to be here today,'' he said. ''I came here to this base in 1968 and I've made [Jacksonville] my home.''

Cox then went on to describe his life on the reservation and just how he came to work so closely with snakes.

''Being a reservation Indian has been both a blessing and a curse,'' he said. ''Specifically with my 31 years in the navy. My culture was well-accepted back then, but not much is known today about what I grew up with - snakes being one of them.''

Sailors look on as Maynard Cox describes him time aboard the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho. Cox, nationally well known for his work with snake safety, served as the guest speaker for the American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month Luncheon at the Flight Line Cafe Nov. 30.

Maynard Cox is actually Cox's grandfather's name. His birth-given name, Zoo Chow Wanagie Mee O Suu means ''snake brother spirit guardian'' when translated into English.

According to Cox, this goes along with Nez Perce tradition.

''When the 'great spirit' puts you here on earth - he gives you a job to do,'' he said.

Cox had to adopt his ''white man's name'' when he entered the fourth grade in a non-reservation school because his teachers wouldn't accept his Indian name.

Near the end of his speech Cox shared one of his more memorable times on the reservation.

''When I was 8 years old, I took my vision quest,'' he said. ''This was usually reserved for kids ages 10 or 12, but my uncle had trained me and thought I was qualified. I was lucky to get it done during the summer because the Idaho mountains aren't too friendly in the winter when all you have on is a shirt and moccasins.''

Master of Ceremonies HMCS(AW) Bryce McNair presents an appreciation award to guest speaker Maynard Cox during the American Indian/Alaskan Native Month Luncheon. Cox, who was raised on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho, also retired from the Navy nearly 30 years ago.

According to Cox, the vision quest is similar to what some Sailors go through during survival training.

Cox's other credentials include: founder/director of The World Wide Poison Bite Information Center; special advisor, Emergency Services; civil defense founder and director of the North Florida Snakebite Treatment Center; associate member, Society of Clinical Pathologists and the author of the protocol for the emergency room treatment and hospital management of snakebite victims used nationwide.