Local Indigenous veteran recalls time in U.S. Marines
By Lethbridge Herald on November 11, 2025.
Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Indigenous peoples of North America have a long history of strong warrior traditions, which were prevalent in precolonial societies and continued into later centuries. These traditions were shaped by factors such as personal prestige for bravery, the need to protect communities and political alliances.
Canadian First Nations have made significant and substantial contributions and sacrifices in all of Canada’s military efforts, from the War of 1812 to the present day, including both World Wars, the Korean War, peacekeeping missions and modern conflicts.
Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 8 across Canada since it was first established in Manitoba in 1994, honours the significant contributions and sacrifices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in military service, Canadian warriors who often faced discrimination and were denied the same benefits as their non-Indigenous comrades upon return.
“Ceremonies and monuments are super nice,” says local Indigenous veteran J.R. Fox. “But there’s some real-world need for veterans all year round.”
Fox isn’t your typical Canadian Indigenous veteran. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps (often referred to as the Corps or just the Marines), serving on active duty from 1999-2006. Fox is one of a handful of Indigenous veterans living in Lethbridge and the area who have served in the Corps.
He is also a community leader and public speaker on veteran and Indigenous issues. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is active as a speaker for events like National Indigenous Veterans Day, where he discusses his experiences and advocates for mental health support for veterans.
“Semper Fidelis” is the official motto of the U.S. Marine Corps, a Latin phrase that means “Always Faithful”. It was officially adopted in 1883 to symbolize the lifelong commitment of Marines to their Corps and country.
“When you say ‘U.S. Marine,’ people know what the U.S. Marine is,” says Fox. “They are the best of the best. I wanted to be part of something that has a lot of honor, courage, and commitment. And the title (of Marine) is earned, not given.”
As far as U.S. armed forces go, the Marine Corps’ boot camp is widely considered to be extremely rigorous, with a reputation for being the toughest of all U.S. military basic training programs. Many recruits don’t make the cut.
“I was there an extra three weeks because I couldn’t do three pull-ups,” says Fox. “I was part of the ‘pork chop platoon,’ which is what they like to call the PCP (physical condition platoon).”
Despite this setback, Fox remained determined to earn his Eagle Globe and Anchor (EGA) emblem and the title of U.S. Marine which he finally achieved after around 20 weeks.
Celebrating its 250th anniversary on Nov. 10, 2025—one day before Remembrance Day—the Marines have their own illustrious history and warrior traditions.
Indigenous peoples have contributed to the Marines throughout its history, most notably the legendary “Navajo Code Talkers” who transmitted secret messages using their unwritten languages with great effect during the Battle of Iwo Jima during the Second World War.
In fact, one of the Marines shown raising the U.S. flag atop Mt. Suribachi in the iconic photo by war photographer Joe Rosenthal was Pima Native American Marine Cpl. Ira Hayes. He was one of the six servicemen involved in the second flag-raising ceremony during the Battle of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945.
Indigenous peoples from various tribes, such as the Navajo and Choctaw, have also served in the Marines in a variety of other roles, with some experiencing both cultural challenges and acceptance within the U.S. military like their Canadian counterparts.
Warfare was a persistent reality in many cultures, with complex motivations stemming from individual and collective needs, and young men were often incentivized to participate for the honor and respect it brought.
Indigenous warriors assisted both the British and the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War, with individual nations and even internal tribal factions making different choices based on their own interests and complex relationships with the warring powers.
Despite the challenges and stresses that came before, during and after his time in the Marines, including serving in war zones such as Iraq, dealing with PTSD from combat and re-adjusting to civilian life afterward, Fox is grateful for the life-lessons taught and friendships formed while serving.
“When I joined the Marines I joined a military service and found a brotherhood, friends that I have for life and memories of that,” he says. “If I could do it over I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
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