30th Day of Honor 2025

1 month ago

On August 30, 2025, members of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, participated in the 30^th annual Day of Honor at the Chief Plenty Coups State Park in Pryor, Montana. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Thirty years of stories” and is held every year in late summer to commemorate Chief Plenty Coups of the Apsáalooke or Crow tribe. Chief Plenty Coups is regarded as the last traditional chief of the Apsáalooke tribe, and his bravery, leadership, and vision helped bridge the cultural divide between the two groups.

As Society members, we are the link between the Chief and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where on November 11, 1921, he was selected to represent all Native American Tribes during the interment ceremony for the World War I Unknown Soldier. For those who are unaware, during the graveside services, no one was supposed to speak beside the selected service Chaplains. However, he was moved to offer this prayer in his native tongue:

“I feel it an honor to the red man that he takes part in this great event today because it shows that the thousands of Indians who fought in the Great War are appreciated by the white man.”

“I am glad to represent all the Indians of the United States

in placing on the grave of this noble unknown warrior this coup stick and war bonnet, every eagle feather of which represents a deed of valor by my race.”

“I hope that the Great Spirit will grant that these noble warriors have not given up their lives in vain, and that there will be peace to all men hereafter.

"This is the Indians’ hope and prayer.”

You can read more about the white rose here: https://tombguard.org/assets/images/news/American-Rose-Society_First-Word_JanFeb21_presid ent.pdf

The 30^th Day of Honor (Thirty Years of Stories) started with the Society paying our respects to the final resting place of Chief Plenty Coups. After a prayer in the native Crow language, those present laid a white carnation inside the chained-off area. The carnation was substituted this year for the white rose due to logistics. The white rose, the official flower of the Society, is tied to the selection of the World War I Unknown Soldier by Army Sergeant Edward F. Younger on October 24, 1921, in Châlons-en-Champagne, France.

Tomb Guards, and their families, from many generations were present, including two of the four Founders of the Society: Richard Azzaro (1963-65) and Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98). The Chief Plenty Coups Honor Guard adopted both into the Crow Nation in front of the tribe as full brothers and warriors in previous years. Also present were Immediate Past President Lonny LeGrand, Jr (1981-83) and Wyatt Stearns (2022-24).

Photo: USMC Veteran Matt Ruby, Jerome OlyHugs Jr. (USMC), Gavin McIlvenna (USA), Flag Bearer Elsworth GoesAhead (USMC), Lonny LeGrand, Jr (USA), Barry Beach (USN), Harry Lee RockAbove (USA), Richard Azzaro (USA), Richard LittleLight (USA), and Wyatt Stearns (USA).

This year's Day of Honor was sponsored by Aluutaalaahu Many Arrows Community Development Corporation, Friends of Chief Plenty Coups State Park, and Apsaalooke Nation Housing, which provided the traditional Buffalo feed before the event.

This year, we were also able to celebrate Richard and Elsworth’s birthdays…always a good time with surprise parties!

The Grand Entry, led by the Chief Plenty Coups Honor Guard, all veterans present, and followed by dancers, kicked off the Day of Honor, which was accompanied by fabulous festivities that included performances by a variety of artists, drummers, dancers, and speakers. Vendors and local artists had unique native products for sale.

Midway through the events, Lonny LeGrand, Jr was asked to come forward and was officially adopted into the Crow Nation after being presented with a blanket, given the name “Soldier who watches over Soldiers,” and paraded in front of the tribe.

“Another great visit to Montana to honor Chief Plenty Coup, CPC Honor Guard, and the people of the Crow Nation at the Day of Honor 2025. Being called before the members of the Crow Nation and adopted into, by Elsworth GoesAhead and the CPC Honor Guard, is an honor I will never take lightly. Two years ago, I was given the name “Casper, Friendly Ghost” as Marlin (Elsworth’s father) and I share Halloween as our birthdays. That's a personal name between him and I. After being given my official Crow name of “Soldier who watches over Soldiers,” I feel even more connected to the Crow Nation while sharing this great honor alongside fellow Tomb Guards Richard Azzaro and Gavin McIlvenna. In addition to the Day of Honor, we were invited to join the GoesAhead family on Sunday for a surprise 50th birthday party for Elsworth and a chance to meet even more of the GoesAhead family that we all 3 are now part of. Please come out and be a part of this great celebration as the CPC Honor Guard welcomes all each year. They were honored with a Lifetime Membership when I was President, so they are us. ”

- Lonny LeGrand, Jr (1981-83)

Each year, members of the Society are invited to join with the Crow Nation to honor Chief Plenty Coups. As 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the battle that took place at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, we plan to visit the battlefield and cemetery during our trip on September 5-6, 2026.

We encourage everyone interested to send an email to Gavin McIlvenna at founder@tombguard.org to be added to the planning document.

To learn more about the Chief, the Crow people, and this unique state park, please visit: Chief Plenty Coups State Park | Montana FWP (mt.gov)