The November Wabanaki Voices column was written by Donna Loring, a Penobscot Nation Tribal Elder, Vietnam Veteran, and Wabanaki Alliance Board Member. She formerly served as a Penobscot Nation Tribal Representative to the Maine Legislature and advisor to Gov. Angus King and most recently Gov. Janet Mills. Wabanaki voices is a monthly column in the Bangor Daily News opinion section that shares tribal perspectives. Read all Wabanaki Voices columns here.
On Nov. 5, we will be casting our vote in the most important election in the history of this country. In such a weighty moment, I think of one who put his life on the line for freedom.
Charles Shay, a World War II medic, exemplified courage and sacrifice. Assigned to Omaha Beach on D-Day 1944, he braved relentless gunfire to save countless soldiers, actions that earned him the Silver Star. His heroic service did not earn him the right to vote. In Maine, Indians living on reservation were not allowed to vote in federal elections until 1954 and not until 1967 in state elections.
Captivated by Charles’ story as emblematic of the unrecognized military service of countless Native veterans, anthropologists Harald Prins and Bunny McBride were attracted by Charles’s story. They dedicated years of research to preserving his legacy.
In September 2007, they accompanied Charles on his first trip to Normandy since the war. Just before their trip, Harald nominated Charles for France’s Legion d’Honneur, that nation’s highest award. On Nov. 7, 2007 Charles received this honor directly from French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Washington, D.C. Ever since. Charles has participated in D-Day commemoration ceremonies in Normandy, including those at the Charles Shay Indian Memorial overlooking Omaha Beach. Established in 2017, it honors Charles, along with 500 American and Canadian Indian soldiers who risked their lives to liberate Normandy.
One of the most memorable events recognizing the sacrifice of these soldiers was the 50th anniversary of D-Day. People were reminded of the profound sacrifices made by those who fought for future generations. The occasion highlighted the contrast between the peaceful lives of children today and the hardship and loss endured during wartime, honoring the families torn apart and the countless lives given.
This commemoration recognized Normandy’s veterans as symbols of resilience and courage. These soldiers had traveled from far-off lands to defend freedom, standing against forces that sought to deny basic human rights. Their mission upheld timeless values like freedom and human dignity, securing a brighter future for those who would follow.
In honoring these heroes, people were encouraged to remember them in quiet reflection, keeping alive the spirit of those who gave everything for a better world. The phrase “the tomb of heroes is the heart of the living” beautifully expressed how each act of remembrance sustained the peace they had won.
This anniversary served as a reminder that freedom and respect for others were ideals worth defending, even at great cost. It became a moment to express gratitude for those who sacrificed so that others might live in peace and to instill this appreciation in future generations. It was a message of enduring thankfulness from the people of Normandy to the brave soldiers who had secured freedom.
Charles Shay’s story is a powerful tribute to the bravery that helped shape history and continues to inspire today. Charles considers the right to vote as a very important freedom. Now 100 years old and spending his last years in France, he honored his hard-won freedom to vote by casting his absentee ballot in this most important election in our history.
