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Ta"shina Marvin
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
February 8, 2004-- Ta”shina
is a 19 year old Mulvane woman who is using her native American heritage to honor veterans.
She says listening to her elders is one of the most important things she can do.
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“They enjoy it when I come. It makes me feel so proud when I can do that.”
At Wichita's VA Hospital Ta"shina Marvin, part of the Osage tribe, wears her native dress that honors veterans.
Marine Veteran Gary Darlington loves visiting with Ta"shina. |
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“If I could do this every day I would get well tomorrow.”
For a year, she was an intertribal warrior society princess. She traveled frequently representing Native American veterans and war mothers.
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But it's there, with veterans like Gary Darlington where she excels.
“They are so near, so unique.”
Visiting with Darlington, she finds he served in Viet Nam.
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“My being here is respect and honor for them. It’s what I do. I’ve made it part of my life to do this.”
This full time college student spends hours listening and sharing moments with
aging veterans.
It was her grandfather who began this journey of listening - a grandfather who served in the military.
Captivated by her grandfather's stories, the warrior dress became an instant talking point with the veterans.
“They love this dress, because it represents somebody in the Marines or
Army and that’s who they fought for.”
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At home, the warmth she brings into a room goes into scrapbooks of her activities.
“Everybody’s culture should be the most important, because that’s the most precious thing you have.” |
But her life has not been perfect. A brain injury in the second grade gave her chanllenges not readily apparent today.
“It affected me tremendously actually, I couldn’t remember when I was littler where I had been yesterday. But now I’ve got to the point I can actually remember a month ago.”
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Recovered and always moving forward, she concentrates on her Osage heritage. Indian fry bread, also part of her daily life is prepared for a school project.
"It's very important because you have to keep your culture alive."
Always on the go, her goal is to let those who have made great sacrifices, know that someone cares.
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Veteran Gary Darlingon says, "She's just a pleasure. It makes me forget I'm an old man."
At 19, her Native American upbringing has given her an unusual and admirable respect for her elders. |
"I feel so happy that I'm someone who can be there. Someone they can look forward to meeting and seeing again."
As they hug, Darlington is already looking forward to the next visit.
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“I miss you already.”
Darlington adds: “She is a very special person. You talk about Larry Hatteberg’s People. She is a Larry Hatteberg’s People.”
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