“Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces” Exhibit Coming to The Highground Veterans Memorial

Friday, March 20th, 2026 -- 11:00 AM

“Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces” was produced by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).

This exhibit will be at The Highground Welcome Center April 10-July 6, 2026. The exhibit tells personal stories of Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and Alaska Native veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces and brings long overdue recognition to those who have served their country selflessly and with honor for more than 250 years.

Visitors will learn about the origins of Native American military service, how Indigenous languages were used to win battles, the service of Native women during World War II, and the heroics of Native Americans from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War and through the conflicts in the Middle East.

Why We Serve honors the Native Americans who have served in the U.S. military, often in extraordinary numbers, since the American Revolution. The exhibition asks, “Why would a culture serve a country that overran their homelands, suppressed their ways of life, and confined them to reservations?”

What is revealed is that Native people have served for many of the same reasons as others: to demonstrate patriotism, pursue employment, education, or adventure. Yet tribal warrior traditions, treaty commitments and responsibility for defending Native homelands have also inspired military service.

Why We Serve is a comprehensive look at Native military involvement and explores Native American military service from its origins to the modern day. Through compelling, free-standing displays and extra content, visitors will discover the little-known but outsized contributions Native Americans have made to the U.S. military throughout our country's history.

The Highground invites Native American Veterans and Tribal Members to share veteran stories, tribal history and memorabilia within this exhibit while it is onsite. For more information, please email Theresa at [email protected] or call 715-743-4224.

This exhibit experience is supported by a generous donation from Potawatomi Casino Hotel located in Milwaukee and Carter, Wisconsin. For information about The Highground, its mission and more, visit their website or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.

(Photo courtesy of The Highground via press release)

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.