"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Nation Honor Area Veterans

TAHLEQUAH, OK — The Cherokee Nation recently honored two service men for their dedication to the Cherokee Nation, our country and its citizens during the December Tribal Council meeting.

“The Cherokee Nation has a rich history with the military,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It is an honor to recognize these two individuals this month for their commitment to keeping our freedoms secure and our country safe.”

This month’s honorees were Rick Tritthart and Kenneth Conrad Crisp.

Rick Tritthart, of Keys, was born in 1945 in London, England, where his father served during World War II. The following year, Rick and his mother came to the U.S. and lived in Pawhuska, Okla. Rick graduated from College High School in Bartlesville in 1964 and went on to attend Oklahoma A&M College in Miami. In 1966, Tritthart enlisted in the Air Force and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and then on to tech school in Colorado. Discharged from the Air Force in 1970, Rick then enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard in 1975 and was discharged in 1983. Rick was so committed to his military life that he enlisted in Army Reserves in 1988 and retired in November, 2005. Today he works for the Cherokee Nation and is married with a daughter, a son, a step-son and nine grandchildren.

Kenneth Conrad Crisp, of Coffeyville, Kansas, was born in 1925 in Nowata to Roy Michael Crisp and Katie Adair Crisp, who was an original enrollee. Crisp was raised on his family’s land allotment in Adair County and later in Nowata. At 18-years of age, Crisp was sent to Lawton to serve with the United States Army 98th Division. He attended basic training in Spokane, Wash. and later shipped out to Hawaii where he began training in amphibious vehicles. He also received training in island assaults and storming beaches. Kenneth’s group landed on Sai-Pan Peninsula, which is approximately 1,500 miles from Tokyo, where they were ordered to invade Japan. Crisp’s division was to be the first to storm the beach but the H-Bomb was dropped first. Kenneth received and honorable discharge from the Army. He was awarded several medals, including the Expert Infantry medal and various training medals, which included Expert Shooter and PFS Acting Sergeant.

“Again, I would like to commend the sacrifices and dedication of these men,” said Smith. “It is a pleasure to honor our service men and women and a privilege to recognize our Cherokee citizens for the commitment and dedication that they provide to our government and to the United States. These men and women sacrifice more than most of us will ever know for our freedoms and safety.”