Local veterans to participate in inauguration parade

GREEN BAY - Next month when Barack Obama will be inaugurated, five Oneida Nation veterans will be part of a three mile parade. Tim Ninham is one of them.

"( I ) imagine how lucky I am to be an American in this country, to do something like this. I'm also prideful that I represent my tribe and the veterans," said Navy veteran Tim Ninham.

Iraq war veteran Marty Antone has served in the military much of his adult life. He's traveled all over the world and says his trip to Washington DC is an honor.

"It's pretty spectacular," said Antone.

In a statement President-elect Obama says he's honored to invite various groups to participate in the inaugural parade. He says the organizations "embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service."

"You're gonna have a who's who of the veterans, and the local people and politicians and stuff. It's gonna be pretty diverse and unique situation, there's opportunity to make new friends, ya know, and understand each other, where we all come from," said Antone.

How did the veterans get this opportunity? The director of the Oneida Nation Veterans Department found out about it and applied. He says the veterans from the Oneida Nation will each hold something different in the parade. One will hold the tribal flag, another the eagle staff. The others will hold the American flag, the state flag, and the POW flag.

"They're representing not only the nation, but they're representing the state of Wisconsin and the Green Bay area also," said Kerry Metoxen, director of the Oneida Nation Veterans Department.

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