[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 182 (Friday, November 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1052-E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MEL SHELDON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 3, 2023

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I rise today to acknowledge that November 
is Native American Heritage Month. My district includes sovereign 
tribes whose people and culture contribute greatly to our region and 
nation: the Tulalip Tribes, Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Samish 
Indian Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Sauk-Suiattle Indian 
Tribe, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Nooksack Indian Tribe and the 
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians.
  November is also a time to honor the women and men for their service 
in the United States Armed Forces. This Veterans Day, I honor the women 
and men from Native communities in northwest Washington who have fought 
for freedom, their homeland and their culture. More than 140,000 
American Indian and Alaska Native veterans live in the United States 
today, including approximately 5,000 American Indian and Alaska Native 
veterans in Washington. Historically. Native peoples have answered the 
call to serve at the highest per capita rate of any population, 
embodying the values of bravely and sacrifice.
  The Tulalip Tribes' proud history in the U.S. Armed Forces 
exemplifies the tradition of Tribal service. During the Vietnam War, 
approximately 42,000 American Indians--one out of every four eligible 
Native people--served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including 39 members of 
the Tulalip Tribes. My friend, Mel Sheldon, Jr., was one of these 
servicemembers. In August 1969, soon after graduating high school.

[[Page E1053]]

Mel enlisted in the U.S. Army. Thanks to his high aptitude, Mel 
advanced to Warrant Officer Flight School where he learned to fly 
helicopters. Arriving in Vietnam in October 1970. Chief Warrant Officer 
2 Sheldon volunteered to fly dangerous scouting missions as a member of 
Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. CWO2 
Sheldon routinely exhibited bravery in combat alongside his fellow 
soldiers, accruing more than 900 hours of fjyjng time, including 600 
hours flyjng scouting missions, before returning home in fall 1971.
  Not yet 21 years old and after more than two years in the Army, Mel 
had a difflcult time transitioning home. As he put it, ``I wanted to 
feel proud of serving our country,'' but, like many Vietnam veterans, 
he did not feel welcomed or acknowledged upon returning home from an 
unpopular war. To Mel and the many veterans who felt this way--
including Tribal veterans, let me say how proud we are of their service 
and how grateful we are they returned home to serve their community for 
all these years.
  After his Army service, Mel put his G.I. Bill benefits to use and 
furthered his education, attending Skagit College and then the 
University of Washington, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 
political science. His military service and education prepared him for 
a career as a commercial fisherman and, later, as a member of the 
Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors. Mel served for six years as Board 
Chairman, during which time he focused on protecting Tribal sovereignty 
and diversifying the Tribes' economy.
  Today, the examples of Mel Sheldon, Jr. and proud Tribal veterans 
from my district and our country are an inspiration to current and 
future generations. Mr. Speaker, I raise my hands to Mel Sheldon, Jr., 
to the Tulalip veterans and to all Native women and men who served in 
the United States Armed Forces and who continue to serve their 
communities.

                          ____________________