The Brockton PostBROCKTON—Linda and Carl Muggli drove sixteen hours and 1,600 miles from Minnesota to deliver a specially carved totem pole that was erected and blessed during a ceremony at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brockton.
The pair had been commissioned by Native American Program managers and member of the Equal Employment Opportunity office at the hospital to design and carve the tote
m pole that is the showpiece of a rejuvenated pond on the hospital’s grounds and a symbolic reminder of the sacrifice made by Native Americans during U.S. wars dating back to World War I.Today, there are 190,000 Native Americans serving in the armed forces.
“It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Linda Muggli after last Thursday's ceremony.
The Mugglis said they do not always hand-deliver the totem poles they carve, including one for the Princess Diana Memorial Park in London, but this one was different.
“It’s for the veterans,” Linda Muggli
said.
Following Thursday’s ceremony, the couple turned around and headed back to Minnesota.
The 30-foot totem pole weighs 3,000 pounds and is carved with symbols like the white buffalo, a boar, and a bear that signify healing, wisdom, community, strength and the life-giving power of the sun.
The celebration included Native American songs, a cleansing ceremony called smudging and a dance commemorating the installation of the pole at the pond.
Arnold Deary, one of the Native American organizers who made the totem pole possible, said more than 10 years ago the pond where the totem pole now stands once had a sweat lodge and other smaller totem poles where Native American veterans would visit while at the hospital.
He said the pond fell into disrepair, but is on its way to having not o
nly a totem pole, but a reflecting pool, benches, and plants. Area businesses have also donated the cost to stock the pond with fish.
“We want to revitalize this pond to be shared by patients, their families and friends to be used as a place of reflection and healing,” Deary said.
“It’s for the veterans,” Linda Muggli
said.Following Thursday’s ceremony, the couple turned around and headed back to Minnesota.
The 30-foot totem pole weighs 3,000 pounds and is carved with symbols like the white buffalo, a boar, and a bear that signify healing, wisdom, community, strength and the life-giving power of the sun.
The celebration included Native American songs, a cleansing ceremony called smudging and a dance commemorating the installation of the pole at the pond.
Arnold Deary, one of the Native American organizers who made the totem pole possible, said more than 10 years ago the pond where the totem pole now stands once had a sweat lodge and other smaller totem poles where Native American veterans would visit while at the hospital.
He said the pond fell into disrepair, but is on its way to having not o
nly a totem pole, but a reflecting pool, benches, and plants. Area businesses have also donated the cost to stock the pond with fish.“We want to revitalize this pond to be shared by patients, their families and friends to be used as a place of reflection and healing,” Deary said.
Deary said plans are to complete the landscaping by the end of the year.
Dighton resident Mike Reagan, whose native name is “Talking Spirit,” said little has been done for Native Americans or other veterans and that the totem pole is a step in the right direction.
“We’re here to honor the veterans,” Reagan said.
Many who attended the ceremony Thursday talked of friends or relatives who served in Vietnam or World War II.
Many talked of a lack of services for veterans t
hat dates back to those two wars.
Arlington resident Bettie Connors, who held back tears said her father E. Richard Jones of Quincy served in World War II, stormed the beaches at Normandy and died 15 years ago.
“I’m here for him,” Connors said. “The VA needs to do a hell of a lot more than they are doing now. More than nothing isn’t a lot,” she said.
Dighton resident Mike Reagan, whose native name is “Talking Spirit,” said little has been done for Native Americans or other veterans and that the totem pole is a step in the right direction.
“We’re here to honor the veterans,” Reagan said.
Many who attended the ceremony Thursday talked of friends or relatives who served in Vietnam or World War II.
Many talked of a lack of services for veterans t
hat dates back to those two wars.Arlington resident Bettie Connors, who held back tears said her father E. Richard Jones of Quincy served in World War II, stormed the beaches at Normandy and died 15 years ago.
“I’m here for him,” Connors said. “The VA needs to do a hell of a lot more than they are doing now. More than nothing isn’t a lot,” she said.
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