Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	June 30, 2001 - Issue 39
	Council, Chief Honor Cherokee Cadet
	by Cherokee.org - June 13, 2001

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and Principal Chief Chad Smith honored Michael Stopp, the only Cherokee at the United States Military Academy, during the regular council meeting Monday night. Stopp, a graduate of Tahlequah High School, was already in the Army when he was selected to attend the Army’s military academy at West Point. Most students are civilians before enrolling at the school. “His leadership ability was so apparent that he is one of the rare enlisted personnel to enter the academy,” Smith said. Stopp just finished his first year at the academy and is on a three-week break. He will graduate with a degree in military science, and says his areas of emphasis are French and Arabic. “I want to thank Chief Smith and the council for recognizing me tonight,” Stopp said. “There are very few Native Americans at the U.S. Military Academy. I want to encourage others to apply the academy and the U.S. Army.” “Cadet Stopp is continuing a long tradition of Cherokees in the U.S. military,” Smith said. “From Cherokee code talkers in World War I all the way through Vietnam and the Gulf War, Indians have fought for the United States in far greater proportion than any other ethnic group.” Stopp’s father, Gary Stopp, is a former employee of the Cherokee Nation and his grandmother, Margaret Raymond, currently works for the tribe.

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United States Military Academy at West Point Welcome to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where leaders of character have been educated, trained and inspired since 1802. The Academy is a popular place to visit, whether you are a tourist, applicant, parent of a cadet, graduate, educational partner, or just plain curious! Whatever has brought you to our site, we are here to help. http://www.usma.edu/

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