HONOR AND RESPECT OUR WARRIORS

My name is Billy Mills and I am Oglala Lakota. I am also a USMC Veteran. In 1964, shortly after I won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 10,000 meter run, Vietnam was starting to get really hot. I was discharged in December of 1965 as a Captain, at the same time that my unit left for Vietnam. Many were killed. Those who returned home, along with other US Military men and women, were condemned by many sections of America.

Times were confusing; anger inspired hate. I had to rely on basic Native American thought and teachings to work through the maze of confusion, anger, and hate that America was experiencing.

One of our values that really helped was that, in our Native culture, we realize that wars can be, and usually are, political. They may not always reflect one's ideology. So we are taught to separate the war from the warrior. We are taught to always HONOR and RESPECT OUR WARRIORS, regardless of our position on the war.

As a Marine, I honor and I respect you all. I thank you for what you are doing for our country. You are warriors who make each and every one of us proud. I pray for your safe return and blessed are those whom the Creator has called, for they are sacred.

Sincerely,

Billy Mills
Captain USMC
Olympic 10K Gold