By Bob Reece

Webmaster's Note: This update was originally published in the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield Newsletter, November 2007.

As I write this, I’m looking out my office window where I can see the first substantial snow of the season resting on the glorious Rocky Mountains. It’s hard to believe that fall is upon us already. Before you know it, all of us will be packing to head to Montana for the Friends annual events at Little Bighorn.

We apologize that we are late with our newsletter because of changes in computers and software for the editor and me. I had to input the entire membership list into my new database and I’m not a very fast typist! And, I was waiting to finalize negotiations with University of Oklahoma Press…well, more on that in a moment.
There is a lot of exciting news to report, so I’ll get right to it:

Friends Donates $5,000 to NPS

Friends continues to provide support to the National Park Service at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument exactly as our Memorandum of Agreement states: “The Friends is a non-profit, tax-exempt, fund raising organization established to aid and directly promote management programs and objectives of the Monument.” I’m proud that Friends continues to meet or exceed objectives each year for the Monument as we again did this year.

Superintendent Darrell Cook asked if Friends could donate towards the permanent Sitting Bull museum exhibit due 2008. Friends is in such a secure financial position that it was able to provide $5,000 immediately. A check in that amount was presented to Supt. Cook by Friends board member Mike Semenock during our annual membership meeting held June 24, 2007 on the lawn of the administrative building overlooking the battlefield and Little Bighorn River valley. Supt Cook was obviously moved by the turnout of Friends members and our donation. He not only thanked us for the donation but he also said that Friends has become a fine example of how a NPS Friends organization can succeed through cooperation between its board and the administration at Little Bighorn.

Thank You

In addition to the general membership meeting, Friends provided a second annual Feast for its members and their families. Friends volunteer, Joanne Blair contacted several vendors through her natural/organic food brokerage in Denver, resulting in a savings of hundreds of dollars in donated food, water, and treats for the Friends weekend and Feast. Thank you very much Joanne: it was her second year of providing such a donation. Joanne also provided a huge cake decorated with the Friends logo for the Friends members who volunteered as interpreters on the trails June 24-25, 2007. We had a great turn-out -- double from last year -- and there were plenty of compliments on the food. Friends very much appreciates the generosity of vendors: Reser's Fine Foods (Potato and macaroni salads), Patrick Cudahy (beef and scrumptious brats), Mountain Valley Springs Water, and Turtle Island Foods (Veggie brats) for providing the main portions. I’d also like to thank board member Mike Semenock for managing the volunteers and Saturday night’s events. His job takes countless hours in preparation and communications with individuals long before anyone travels to Montana. Mike ensured all operations worked flawlessly throughout the weekend events.

Stricken Field: The Little Bighorn Since 1876 by Jerome Greene

A most anticipated book, by the one of the most respected historians of the Plains Indian Wars, will be released during the spring of 2008, and Friends will offer a limited edition of only 100, signed and numbered. Plus, Friends members get first chance at it!

Jerome Greene’s, Stricken Field: The Little Bighorn Since 1876, with a foreword by Paul Hedren, covers the history of the battlefield through the Indian Memorial dedication, June 25, 2003. I’ve had the chance to read portions of the manuscript, and Greene’s impeccable research shines throughout. The only other book written about the history of the battlefield since 1876 was by former chief historian Don Rickey. It’s a difficult book to find and it is not short of errors. Finally, Stricken Field provides the reader a wholly comprehensive view of the countless management decisions that have transpired at the battlefield prior to and during the NPS years. There is plenty of new material here. You’ll be fascinated to learn how in 1877 one citizen made a difference in establishing the national cemetery. Mr. Greene also paints with a broad brush stroke the many contentious issues between NPS and Custer groups, also Indian tribes.

Friends is proud to bring you this soon-to-be rare book luxuriously bound in genuine leather, and colored end sheets with foil stamping on the spine and front cover. Learn more on how you can order this first ever book from Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield.

Friends Events, June 27-28, 2008 (Registration Form)

You might be thinking about what we have planned for June 27-28, 2008? It’s a good one for sure. Jerome Greene will share with us, in person, some of the history of the battlefield since 1876. At 7:00 PM, Mr. Greene will present, answer questions, and sign books the evening of June 27, 2008 at the battlefield. The exact location on the battlefield is still to be determined. The evening is a fundraiser for Friends to support future projects at the battlefield. Tickets are $25 for Friends members, $30 for non-members, and $35 at the door. Plus, we are planning some cool door prizes, give-aways, and specials. We will announce at a later date more of the plans for the evening as we get closer to June. Maybe we’ll take another walk up to Last Stand Hill after the monument closes. You can purchase tickets by mail with check or credit card (see registration form). Seating may be limited, so first-come, first-served.

Because the 25th falls on a Wednesday this coming year, we’ll have volunteers interpreting along the trails Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, 2008. (See registration form on how to volunteer)

To thank our members and volunteers for the success we’ve had with Friends, we’ll have another Friends Feast Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the administrative building on the battlefield. We’ll also hold the annual Friends general membership meeting during the Feast. This is a free event for members only and their families; however, we need you to RSVP by June 6, 2008 with the number in your party in order to attend. (see registration form) It’s looking like June 2008 is shaping up to be a great one. I can’t wait to see everyone again.

If you have questions about any of these events go here to find more contact information.

New Friends Business

During the 2007 general membership meeting, Friends member Hank Pangione suggested Friends and NPS consider a monument at Reno Benteen Battlefield that names the officers and men who fought and died there. Supt Cook acknowledged the suggestion and will discuss it with the Friends board at a future meeting.

Friends plans to establish higher goals for donations and is currently in discussion with the superintendent for such a major step. Our board will meet with Supt Cook at the end of January 2008 to determine exact projects for 2008. Stay tuned for news of that in future newsletters, email updates, and our website.

There has been discussion, most of it inaccurate, within cyberspace regarding why the NPS does not expand the boundaries of the battlefield. Legislation is required before NPS can acquire new lands. Superintendents Neil Mangum and now Darrell Cook have proposed legislation to do just that. Read the draft legislation online

Website Update

We continue to add relevant content to the Friends website:

Long time Friends member, Wayne Gutowsky, has spent years visiting the graves of soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He has also compiled a list of those soldiers from various sources, which Mr. Gutowsky has so generously allowed Friends to publish. Just so you understand, Wayne’s list is only those soldiers who fought in the battle: it doesn’t cover soldiers who were on detached service; or ill; or in the guardhouse, so missed the battle. You can study this list and see photos of some of the gravesites

Gary and Joy Gilbert continue to assist NPS with research and updates to the list of warriors who fought in the battle, as well as noncombatants. Friends posts these lists on our website and we make updates as soon as the Gilberts provide new information to us. Publishing this list on our website grants researchers immediate access to the information, and lessens work for NPS staff with correspondence. Recently, this published list has been a conduit for establishing initial contacts with American Indians from various reservations who know of warriors in their family tree. These contacts have developed into close working relationships with the Gilberts. The same contacts are so interested in this warrior project that they are spreading the news to friends and families, and they contact us as well. It has kept the Gilberts quite busy. Review the NPS list of soldiers and warriors

A big thanks to artist Martin Pate who allowed us to post all of his wayside paintings.

Remember, also, that you can keep track of what’s happening at the battlefield on a daily basis via the battlefield webcams. Just scroll near the bottom of our homepage to find the links to two webcams.

Don’t forget to visit our Site Map to find these recent additions or anything else on the website. The Site Map button is found on the very bottom right side of every page.

The Last Bugle Call

It has been a great year for Friends and its commitment for a positive working relationship with the NPS. Donating $5,000 towards the Sitting Bull exhibit in the visitor center museum might not seem like a lot to some; however, once this project is complete, its importance will be most evident. For as long as I can remember, one of the most important exhibits was of George Custer, as well it should be! It has changed over the years, but it always provides a better understanding of who Custer was as a man. In 2008, visitors will be able to view the Sitting Bull exhibit beside the Custer exhibit. Two completely different men, but very much the same: both were strong and resolute leaders, most of their followers were devoted to them, no one ever doubted their bravery, and they fought for what they thought was right.

I’ve been blessed in a close friendship with Ernie LaPointe, the great grandson of Sitting Bull. Ernie and his wife, Sonja, are honorary members of Friends. Just this past September, Smithsonian recognized Ernie as the direct descendent of Sitting Bull and will repatriate personal items of the Hunkpapa leader to Ernie in late November or early December 2007. Ernie has been a great help to the NPS in developing the future Sitting Bull exhibit.  Read the Friends recent interview with Ernie LaPointe.

With your support, Friends can continue to help the NPS tell both sides of the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, bring the two communities of Indian and non-Indian together for better understanding, preserve the past, and have a lot of fun doing it.

I’ll see you on Last Stand Hill.
 

November 2007

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