Custer's last stand visited

It's been so long since we visited Custer's Battlefield that it has a new name and new features. Family outing was to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Custer National Cemetery the last day of our reunion.

Congress changed the name of the site Dec. 10, 1991. We learned there are about 4,950 burials, with reserved spaces for about 50 more. Jerry Townsend's father, Robert Townsend, a Navy veteran, is buried there, and we visited his grave. He died 41 years ago.

One of the displays in the Visitor Center was dedicated to Lori Piestewa, first Native American woman killed in combat, and "all of the Native Americans killed in combat on behalf of the United States." A peace pipe and war bonnet in the memorial case had been given to the late National Park Service Superintendent Don Tipley. His family returned it to the Crow Tribe 25 years later.

A huge memorial overlooking the battlefield is impressive. Remains of 220 soldiers, scouts and civilians were re-interred at this site. Officers were later placed in other cemeteries, Gen. Custer is buried at West Point.

There is also an Indian Memorial, dedicated in June 2003, to honor Native Americans participating in the Battle of the Bighorn. It is described as a "circular earth and stone work gently carved from the prairie. A weeping wall symbolizes the tears of Indian People, and the suffering that resulted from their battle here on the Greasy Grass to retain their monadic way of life." Interior walls commemorate the five tribes, Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow and Arikara, that fought at the site.

Becky took me to the unique Apsaalooke Warriors Park, Crow Veterans Commemorative recreation and picnic area at Crow Agency. Many hours were required to make two huge tepees of metal. One is composed of buffalo figures welded together creating silhouettes. The second tepee is of the same size, but fashioned with figures of horses overlapping to form tepee walls.

Statue of a warrior on a horse is centered in the area. There is also a huge metal "war stick," approximately 30 feet high, with large metal feathers hanging from it. Flags of the six districts of Crow Reservation are flown with American and state flags. A Montana flag, painted on concrete to show original Crow lands, is another interesting feature.

We drove through the location of the Crow Days Powwow, termed "tepee capital of the world." The long tepee poles and the forms that hold branches for shelter in various clan areas are left there all year. Becky and I enjoyed attending the colorful powwow two years ago.

We did have a modern touch—homemade ice cream was dessert for our picnic lunch. We wrapped the ice cream freezer in insulated plastic cloth to keep the ice cream frozen. It worked.

I think it's a day grandchildren and great grandchildren will not forget.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.