Comanche Veterans Indian Association Hosts Annual Powwow
On Friday, November 11, the Comanche Indian Veterans Association hosted their 45th annual Veterans Day powwow.
Kevin Pohawpatchoko is the Commander for CIVA and retired U.S. Navy Reserves and served active duty for 10 years where he worked in federal government law enforcement. Pohawpatchoko fought in the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War.
He said the powwow recognizes those who have fought in the lines of battle as well as Numunu Pukutsi’s
“Our Pukutsi’s are elite warriors within our Comanche nation. They were decorated for Valor, purism for Gallantry and we’re going to be honoring them today. The flags are laid out along with a picture. We’ll be honoring them along with two of our veterans we’re bringing in. This is what we’re doing. There’s a lot of honoring today on Veteran’s Day,” Pohawpatchoko said.
The powwow is important to the community to give back, according to Pohawpatchoko.
“Veterans have sacrificed a lot for our freedoms that we enjoy today,” he said. “A lot of freedoms we enjoy, we sometimes we may take for granted, but we have to give thanks for those who served.”
Pohawpatchoko said people don’t know about some of the things veterans have done to keep others safe and free. Soldiers who have lost someone on the battlefield honored them at the powwow.
Chaplin of C.I.V.A. and Minister Jimmy Caddo. He was in the navy as a barber cutting leading officers’ hair.
“I cut many active officers. I cut President Kennedy's hair and a lot of the congressmen and senators. When they came to Newport, Rhode Island, where I was stationed, I worked for this admiral. I wasn't assigned to him, but I was the barber aboard ship, and he always took me out. If he went to the Caribbean, he took me with him,” Caddo said.
He also cut the hair of Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Roger Staubach.
Caddo also received the AARP award for being active in his tribe.
“They nominate someone that was very active in their tribe and I was elected because I helped a lot of people to get through. I used to work here,” he said. “I worked here at the Comanche tribe in social services, and I worked with the elder people, and a lot of the people didn't know anything about them, and I brought it out to focus as to who they were and what they did.”
CIVA Princess Arlene Schonchin was also in attendance, with Comanche Nation Junior Princess Bluesky Tosee and Comanche Nation Princess Michelle Nevaquaya.
Schonchin represents veterans and promotes native American culture.
She said Veterans Day is important because veterans protect us and our country.
Schonchin has several family members who are veterans.
Offering baskets were also handed out to elders throughout the afternoon.
