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Bands of warriors: U.S. Marines prepare to transfer the flag-draped
casket carrying Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, 22, from a hearse to a wagon last
Saturday on the road leading to Kyle, S.D.
“He earns the American flag from his government,” says Vietnam veteran
John Around Him. “He earns the eagle feather from his people.”
Funeral procession: Indians from the Pine Ridge reservation carry handmade
quilts behind the casket of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom as they make their
way to Little Wound High School for a 42-hour wake. Lundstrom enlisted in
the Marines in January 2003. “Not only did he volunteer as a Marine, he
volunteered to be infantry,” says his father, Ed Lundstrom.
Chief John Spotted Tail, Rosebud, South Dakota, watches as Marines
transport the casket of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was killed in Iraq
on January 7, 2006, into Little Wound School in Kyle, South Dakota, on
January 14, 2006. Wake services were held for the next three days at the
school. Lakota traveled from throughout the area to pay their respects to
the 21 year old Marine.
Staff of honor: Louis Kills Straight holds a staff adorned with buffalo
hair and eagle feathers, along with photos of tribal members who are
serving in Iraq. Lundstrom, 22, was killed Jan. 7 in Fallujah.
Home of the Mustangs: The body of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was
killed by small-arms fire Jan. 7 in Fallujah, lies in state in a flag-draped
casket inside a 30-foot tepee set up in the gymnasium of Little Wound High
School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. U.S. Marines took shifts
standing guard at the entrance.
William Under Baggage, uncle of Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was killed in
Fallujah on January 7, 2006, walks around the Little Wound School gym
while holding high a photo of the Marine. Wake services for Marine Cpl.
Brett Lundstrom were held January 14-16 at the Little Wound School in
Kyle, SD, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Honor for bravery: An eagle feather rests on the body of
Cpl. Brett Lundstrom during his wake Sunday at Little Wound High School
in Kyle, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The feather was set in
place the evening before during a traditional naming ceremony. “His name is
Wanbli Isnala,” his great-uncle, Birgil Kills Straight, said. It translates to
“Lone Eagle.”
Grieving family: Doyla Underbaggage Lundstrom, mother of Cpl. Brett
Lundstrom, breaks down as Capt. Chris Sutherland presents her and Ed
Lundstrom, Brett’s father, with their son’s watch and dog tags Sunday
during the wake in the gymnasium at Little Wound High School.
Customary gift: Ed and Doyla Lundstrom give a quilt to honor guard member
Lance Cpl. Zachary Borley during their son’s wake. Such quilts usually sell for
up to $600. “Earthly property, it doesn’t mean nothing right now — it’s life
that has worth,” says war veteran Sylvester Bad Cob.
Sylvester Bad Cob, center, a veteran of WWII and Korea, gathers with
other Lakota veterans in the cafeteria of Little Wound School in Kyle,
South Dakota, on January 15, 2006. Lakota veterans from throughout the
area gathered to pay their respects to Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who
was killed in Iraq on January 7, 2006.
Everett Thunder Bull, Martin, SD, a Vietnam Veteran with the Wild Horse Butte
Tokala veterans society, looks at a display honoring Lakota who are serving in the
military on a wall at Little Wound High School in Kyle, SD. Thunder Bull dons an
eagle feather, which all Lakota warriors receive when they return from war.
Saying goodbye — for now: Amanda Munoz, of Thornton, kisses her cousin,
Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, during his wake Sunday in Kyle, S.D.
Lundstrom was buried Wednesday at Fort Logan National Cemetery in
Denver. American Indians have the highest per-capita participation in the
armed services of any ethnic group. Lundstrom’s father, Ed, now retired,
was a career Marine.
William Under Baggage, uncle of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was killed in
Iraq on January 7, 2006, bangs a drum during a hair cutting ceremony, during
which relatives put locks of their own hair in the Marine's casket. Lundstrom, who
was Oglala Sioux, lied in state at the Little Wound School in Kyle, SD.
Marines stand at attention over the casket of Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who
was killed in Iraq on January 7, 2006, in front of a tipi at Little Wound
School in Kyle, South Dakota, on January 15, 2006. According to Lakota
tradition, Lunsdtrom was put in the tipi over night to communicate with his
relatives who have passed before him, who will guide him to the spirit world.
Samantha Janis,16, far left, hugs her aunt, Vernona Under Baggage, as
they follow the casket of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was killed in
Iraq on January 7, 2006, as he is taken from Little Wound School in Kyle,
South Dakota,on Monday, January 16, 2006. Lundtsrom, who was Lakota,
was honored in Kyle by the Native American community during a three day
wake.
A woman watches as Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, who was killed in Iraq on
January 7, 2006, leaves Little Wound School in Kyle, SD, after a two night
wake on Monday, January 16, 2006. He was later buried at Fort Logan
National Cemetery.
A horse drawn wagon carries the casket of Cpl. Brett Lundstrom on the
road leading to Kyle, SD, on Saturday, January 14, 2006. As a Lakota, the
Marine was honored during a three day wake service at the Little Wound
School in Kyle, SD. Lundstrom was killed in Fallujah on January 7, 2006,
and will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Thanks to ALL of our U. S.
Military Men and Women
Everywhere. Past and Current
Living and Dead.
We are free because of you.