The Odanak Abenakis of Vermont (in Newport, Orleans County, Vermont) consisting of 300+ descendants, led by Richard "Skip" R. Bernier (an Abenaki Status member of Odanak) had begun working on a list of legitimate Abenakis in the United States who had fought courageously in the varied Armed Services of the United States. This is the list of those compiled with the help of the late Odanak Chief, Gilles O'Bomsawin.
John Arthur Annance --- United States Air Force --- 1952 to 1956
Joseph Elbert Elie Joubert --- United States Navy --- 1963 to 1983
Eugene L. Lahar (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1949 to 1952
Richard Goddard (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1972 to 1974
Richard R. Bernier (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1958 to 1960
Raymond N. Bernier (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1954 to 1956
Terry D. La Plante (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1962 to 1964
Arthur A. La Plante (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1985 to 1987
Dana Lee La Plante (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1998 to 2000
Roland E. Robert (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1949 to 1953
Lawrence P. Robert (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1945 to 1948
and 1948 to 1950
Steven A. Fournier (Obomsawin descendant) --- United States Army --- 1984 to 1988
Rock J. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Army --- 1918 to 1919
Roger A. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Army --- 1948 to 1954
Paul R. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1955 to 1962
Richard J. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Army --- 1963 to 1965
Maurice E. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1965 to 1969
Roland R. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Army --- 1968 to 1969
Henri J. Chapdelaine (Glaude descendant) --- United States Air Force --- 1955 to 1959
David C. Jones (Wawanolett descendant) --- United States Army --- 1972 to 1973
With the help of the late Chief of Odanak, Gilles O'Bomsawin, Richard R. Bernier had endeavored to place a memorial plaque at Odanak, thus humbly honoring by name, these men who toiled and fought, to retain the freedoms of all people of both Canada and the United States, those freedoms we have today. Let us not forget their sacrifices for all of us, native and non-native peoples across this land.
And let's not forget the Abenaki women who also have fought and shed tears, both at home, at work, and on the battlefields as well ... for their sacrifices ...
A THANK YOU to ALL veterans for their sacrifices then and today.
