The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, led by the Office of Chairman Mark Fox, will be hosting a post-Independence Day military appreciation event featuring the U.S. Marine Corps’ Silent Drill Platoon.

The main event is set to take place on Wednesday, July 6, at 6 p.m. at the White Shield Sports Complex/Football Field in White Shield.

There will be a secondary event taking place on Thursday, July 7, at the 4 Bears Casino Event Center in New Town.

All former and current military members statewide are encouraged to attend. The event will be open to the public.

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-man rifle unit that performs military drill movements without any verbal cadence or commands. The drill exhibition concludes with a series of rifle inspections demonstrating elaborate rifle spins and tosses. The platoon performs during parades and ceremonies in the National Capital Region, across the United States and around the world.

Fox, a Marine Corps veteran, said, “Statistically, Native Americans serve at a higher rate in the United States military than any other ethnicity.”

Although Native Americans make up only 1.1 percent of the entire U.S. population as of 2020, they have elected to enlist in the armed forces at five times the national average and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. Since 9/11, nearly 19 percent of Native Americans have served in the armed forces, compared to an average of 14 percent of all other ethnicities.

A meal will be provided following the event. In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be moved indoors to the White Shield High School gymnasium.