Darryn Red Horse
The story behind Darryn Red Horse
I have a small story to tell about my ancestry and my link to the Native American community.
It’s not about my family tree, although I am told that I am about ¼ Blackfoot. I can’t prove it. The circumstances of that linage are less than honorable if you know what I mean. I tried looking it up, but alas, there are no records.
I do have a small story that I am absolutely sure about though.
Several years ago I was visiting the Four Corners region of the United States with my wife. This is the place where so many westerns were made into movies, John Wayne of note.
If you go to the main entrance you will find that it is owned and operated by Native Americans, Navajo I think. One of the many entertainment offerings is personalized site seeing tours of the many sand stone monoliths conducted by a local Native American.
We signed up, took the tour, the guide was great. His last name was Red Horse.
These men work for tips. When the tour was over I reached into my wallet to give the man his tip…Yikes! I had not cash. I was so embarrassed.
I tried to explain. The man was nice about it, but I could see the righteous disappointment in his face.
We made a point to come back the next day. Still embarrassed, I sought out Red Horse and paid the man his due. He was gracious, gave a small smile and thanked me. I could see that he was still bothered.
There are other small details, but the gist of the story is that because I wasn’t prepared I caused a lot of embarrassment and anguish. Even though I did pay the man it still wasn’t the same. The man had been slighted and that wasn’t right.
It was right after that trip that I sat down and started writing my first novel, Letting Go. One of the characters in that novel is Darryn Red Horse. (Fictional Character) Darryn plays a pivotal role in the story. It was a conscious effort on my part to give the Native American community credit for the role that they have played in my life.
A couple little side notes here. The Navajo were instrumental in WWII as communications men. I think the movie was “Wind Talkers.”
Also, just outside of Brackettville, Tx. is a place called Seminole Cemetery. It only has about two hundred graves marker. It dates back to the mid 1800’s, to the time when the Seminole Indians fled Florida for racial persecution. They ended up in this area of the country and worked as scouts for the US Calvary. There are four particular grave markers there that are of interest. It seems that, even though they were persecuted in Florida, four of these Native American Seminole Indians distinguished themselves. They still had the strength of character to do the right things when called upon. These four men earned the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH) on the field of battle, courageously protecting their fellow troops.
Just wanted to give some credit where it was due.
Thanks
