Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award last year, Keeble is known for his strength and willingness to risk his life for others while fighting in the Korean War.
He was the first full-blooded Sioux American Indian to receive the Medal of Honor, and now Circle of Nations School students and staff can look to him for inspiration as well as for education.
 Veteran's Service Officer Bill Peschel, left, along with several other veterans, presented a Woody Keeble Medal of Honor print to the Circle of Nations School students and staff Monday at the Keeble Dormitory. RJ Rabbithead, staff, and students Ervin Diserly and Terrence Huff accepted the print on behalf of the entire school. Photo by Erin Hevern Advertisement |
"There's always students that ask who the dorm is named after," said Circle of Nations Facility Manager Rob Peck. "It's a good thing, they learn a bit of our history."
A second print was given to Keeble's step-son, Russell Hawkins, and a third was given to one of Keeble's blood relatives at a ceremony July 2008 where Keeble was honored with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. The original painting hangs in the North Dakota State Capitol Building in Bismarck.
The picture, according to Richland County Veteran's Service Officer Bill Peschel, also resembles a similar portrait which already hangs in the Wahpeton VFW Post with Keeble in his VFW cap.
"We have quite a bit from [Keeble] already and they built that beautiful building. We just thought it was the appropriate place for it to go," Peschel said.
The painting features highlights of Keeble's military career, including symbols of bravery and an eagle staff with 13 feathers representing the wounds he received in war.
Peschel, accompanied by several other area veterans, also presented Circle of Nations School with a plaque describing in detail Keeble's determination to protect his men during combat.
"Once [students] start reading the plaque and other things they'll be a little more aware of what happened and who he was," Peck said.
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