MRFF Helps Native American Service Member, Told to Dress Up Like an Indian, Stop Commander’s “Puritan Pilgrim” Thanksgiving Event

“Our commander claims that one of his relatives was on the original Mayflower which landed at Plymouth Rock. He said he wanted to ‘celebrate’ the ‘true essence’ of Thanksgiving by having everybody recite several ‘Puritan Pilgrim Prayers’ before we sat down to eat. Then he did something while announcing this which made me sick to my stomach.

“Everyone knows I’m (Native American tribe name withheld). Our commander asked me to wear my best ‘Indian clothes’ at this Thanksgiving event to ‘represent the role of Indians at this first Thanksgiving.’

“I was appalled. Many of my fellow combat unit members were shocked.”

— Native American active duty military MRFF client

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