My first stop in Montana would be to visit the The Battle of the Little Bighorn National Park, known to many as Custer's Last Stand. This area memorializes the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry along with the Sioux and Cheyenne in one of the Native American's last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. On June 25-26, 1876 Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer led the U.S. Army of 12 companies of the 7th Cavalry along a ridge above the Little Bighorn River, where they were wiped out by bands of the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by such men as Crazy Horse, Lame White Man and Gall. Custer and 262 soldiers, scouts, and civilians attached to the 7th U.S. Cavalry fought at least 1,500 Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho warriors. Custer and all his men died.

Custer's defeat is recognized as one of the all-time greatest victories led by American Indians.

In a true act of selfish neglect, in 1946 the “Custer Battlefield National Monument” was established, with no recognition paid to the courageous American Indians that lost their lives fighting to preserve their land and culture. In and effort to bring "Peace through Unity" and "encourage peace among people of all races", On Dec. 10, 1991, President George H.W. Bush signed a law renaming the landmark "Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument".

It's now time to tell the world that we made a mistake in denying American Indians equal and fair honor on the battlefield ~ Rep. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D-Colo.)

1n 1999, red specked granite memorial markers were aded to represent The Indian Warriors that died. Now, both red and white marble markers dot the ravines and hillsides representing where soldiers and Indians fell.

Ultimately, our westward expansion into the Northern Plains would dismember an entire culture. A ripple of sadness lingers over this beautiful, rolling landscape.