ASHEVILLE – November is National Native American Heritage Month and on Friday Nov. 30, the Charles George VA Medical Center will be hosting storytellers, singers, basket weavers, a drum team, and traditional dancers from the New Kituwah Academy (K-5) Grade School in Cherokee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Medical Center Atrium as part of the national celebration.
At 2 p.m., a color guard from the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 in Cherokee will present the colors. Medical Center Director Cynthia Breyfogle will officially welcome Cherokee guests and introduce Principal Chief Michell Hicks.
Nov. 30 is also the anniversary of the death of Pfc. Charles George, the man the facility is named after. George, an EBCI tribal member, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on the night of Nov. 29, 1952. He jumped on an exploding grenade to save two fellow soldiers and died early in the morning of Nov. 30.
The commemoration of his death will include a reading of his Medal of Honor citation and a biography written by a Charles George VAMC employee.
– VA
