Oklahoma Veterans Hall of Fame Honors Comanche Veteran
On Saturday, October 28, the 24th annual Banquet and Induction Ceremony for the 2023 Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame was held at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma.
Comanche Nation Veteran Edwin Chappabitty was one of these veterans to be inducted.
The event began at 6 p.m. with the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) and the Cherokee Nation presenting the colors. Comanche Nation Princess McKenzi Sovo and CIVA Princess Arlene Schonchin signed the Star-Spangled Banner.
CIVA Commander Kevin Pohawpatchoko said the Military Hall of Fame Inducts decorated veterans.
“We have Medal of Honor recipients, Silver Star recipients, and so they are the few of the few of our veterans,” he said.
Pohawpatchoko said Chappabitty served in the Vietnam War and is also one of the 30 Numunu Pukutsi.
“To be nominated with the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, you would have to have two or three more Bronze Stars with the Valor devices, and, or the Silver Star, or even higher awards with the Valor and…Medal of Honor,” he said. “But he has been selected, and our family is here, Chappabitty’s family is here, and we're here to support them and also represent the Comanche Nation here within the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.”
Pohawpatchoko said they were honored to attend the event.
“Also, to show some of our princes and our Comanche Nation princess, which was here, McKenzi Sovo, show what we do and show…our support for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame,” he said.
Chappabitty received two Bronze Stars and an Army Commendation Medal, each with a “V” for Valor.
“It's really an accomplishment for him during that time period, during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was, a lot of the veterans never got any respect coming home, and none of the veterans got a welcome home at all from our own American people,” Pohawpatchoko said. “But yeah, he's one of the few that are within the, being inducted into what we call ‘Ace Society’ that is very hard to get into.”
He said being at the event was touching and an honor, but several Comanche veterans have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“The reason we are here [is] because we have fellow Comanche Nation members that were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first one would have been Mr. Chuck Choney. He was decorated during the Vietnam War.We have our Comanche Code Talkers that were inducted to the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, along with Charles Chibitty, one of our Comanche Code Talkers…Our Comanche Code Talkers, along with our last, the one we just previously lost, Mr. George Red Elk. He was a Silver Star recipient, and like I said, they have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Pohawpatchoko said.
He said all veterans who are inducted into the Hall of Fame are making history, especially Chappabitty.
“With him, with his service, and his dedication to what he had done for his fellow soldiers, this is what the cost of it is, is right here for him being inducted into this Hall of Fame,” Pohawpatchoko said.
He said there was a bond with everyone who attended the banquet.
“We go in there, we'll pat each other on the back, we'll give a fellow veteran a hug, or handshake or so, but most of all, we thank them also for their service, for God and country, because veterans do play a lot of roles within our freedoms that we enjoy,” Pohawpatchoko said.
He said the Comanche Nation is supportive and honored to be called upon to fulfill the color guard duty and coordinate with other tribes and organizations.
