Comanche Indian Veterans Association Hosts Veteran's Day Powwow
On Monday, November 11, Comanche Indian Veterans Association held a powwow at Watchetaker Hall to honor 13 veterans.
Those inducted included: Ramonah Davis, Jonathan George, Lyman Guy, John B. McClung, Cynthia Patterson, Frankie Patterson, James Patterson Jr., Dominic Pawlowski, Kevin Pohawpatchoko, Clifford Red Elk, Michael Squire, Clifford Takawana, Roger Tehauno and Michel Waddle.
CIVA Commander Roger Tehauno said it was the first set of veterans to be inducted into the Oklahoma Veterans Hall of Honor and is a step below the Hall of Fame.
“Because when I came home from overseas…we got booed, we got cussed out, we got called all kinds of names and everything,” he said. “But this is a different feeling…there's people a little more appreciative. But when I did get home, the only one, people that did appreciate our, what we did was, was our native people. You know, they're the only ones that did call us names. The only one that thanked us, well, they didn't thank us, but they're proud of us, you know. So, it's a, it's a good feeling…here, especially in this, this, with Watchetaker Hall and with the drums sounding so good, and it puts you in a good spirit.”
Tehauno said the Hall of Fame organization wants to recognize more people for their military service. The Hall of Honor was introduced in 2023, and 77 veterans have been inducted into it.
“It's a good feeling…to be part of that elite group…and I enjoy it,” he said.
Tehauno said he wasn’t sure if the induction would happen when the announcement came.
“I just went along with Mr. Asepermy, but then when he announced it…it took a little while to sink in because we, a lot of us, didn't believe it, but when we finally found out that it was true…it's a good feeling,” he said. “I mean, it's knowing that what we did and what we did after…during our time in the service, we're finally getting recognition for it, and that's been since I come back from overseas in 1969. It's been that long ago…it seems like we finally got recognized for it.”
Tehauno said Lanny Asepermy, who set up the event, made sure CIVA has lasted as long as it has.
“He was saying that…we were all combat veterans, except for the young lady when she was a veteran…which is something I wouldn't do. I wouldn't jump out of no perfectly good flying plane, but kidding aside, you know, she accomplished quite a bit for what she did,” he said. “And you know, it's an honor to be here with him and those guys…to be a part of that. It's just a good feeling.”
Tehauno said Veteran’s Day was set aside on the month, the eleventh day of the eleventh hour, to mark the end of World War I.
“You got all these veterans coming together, and everybody coming for one cause…to celebrate Veterans Day, and we have a great drum, and everything is just working out,” he said.
Comanche Nation Jr. Princess Arlene Schonchin and CIVA Princess Clara Yazzie helped pass out gifts. Also present was Comanche Homecoming Princess Jasmine Poemoceah. Several honored veterans also received a Quilt of Valor.
