A Wake For An Indian Warrior

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Bands of warriors: U.S. Marines prepare to transfer the flag-drapedcasket 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.

A Wake For An Indian Warrior