No group of Americans has a higher per capita record of military service than do American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army created the Alaska Territorial Guard, composed mainly of Eskimo, Indian and Aleut Americans, who were issued rifles and ammunition and assigned to coastal reconnaissance and communications. More than 6,400 ATG volunteers spent the following four years watching Alaska’s coasts - for Japanese ships, submarines and aircraft.  They were paid nothing.  They did it for their country.

In October, 2008, the Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives honored its Native veterans with a ceremonial entrance march. More than 500 veterans marched in by their respective services. The first to enter were the aged veterans of the ATG, many with canes or leaning on the arms of family members. Then came the other services. The 2,000 people seated in the hall stood up for the entire 40-minute event, applauding, cheering, and even crying. For our people, it was a magic moment of pride.   

We want to share it with you. We urge you to watch the ATG vets at the beginning; and please listen to the words of Major General (Ret.) Jake Lestenkof, former Adjutant General of Alaska and an Aleut born in the village of St. George. 

We hope you will be as proud as we are of these remarkable people.