Comanche Nation history rooted to the military

  • Published
  • By Debi Smith
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Airmen and Family Readiness Center's Community Readiness Specialist, Erich Lofton, wanted to share the local Native American culture with military children. Inspired by a recent visit to the largest tribal cultural center in the United States, the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Okla., he researched and found the Comanche Tribal Nation is much closer to Sheppard Air Force Base.

"I discovered this is a unique area and thought it would be of particular interest for the families we support in the Hearts Apart and the Exceptional Family Member programs," Lofton said.

Once a month, the families of deployed personnel and exceptional family members gather for support and dinner with an innovative activity or program that Lofton creates.
"Depending on the interest from tonight's event, we are considering a cultural series as the region is so rich in Native American history."

The Comanche Nation is located just nine miles north of Lawton, Oklahoma and provides exhibits, videos and programs through the Comanche Nation Museum and Cultural Center located near the Ft. Sill Army base in Lawton, Okla.

Guest presenter, Tina Emhoolah, and her granddaughter, Madison, shared their excitement in being asked by the Comanche Cultural Center to give a presentation to Sheppard families Jan. 24.

"I am very excited. It is touching to me to share and it is a gift to come," she said. "As a military child, I lived it and as a military spouse, I lived it. I grew up with an Army father and I married a Marine, who served for twenty years with assignments in both the Korean War and Vietnam War.

"The military family experience is my family tradition," Emhoola said. "With three brothers in the Army and three brothers in the Marine Corps, I also have cousins, uncles and a grandfather who represent our service in all five branches of the military."

Madison Emhoolah, 11, wore a beaded buckskin dress that was created with service to country in mind and has been passed down a generation.

"The dress tells a military story," her grandmother said. "The American flag is beaded on the sleeves and the crosses are from an assignment in Florida. We take special things along our travels and place them on clothing to remind us of where we have been."

A slide presentation outlining the history of the Comanche Tribal Nation, playing the "Hiding Game," and viewing Comanche artifacts generated applause and further deepened understanding among attendees.

Master Sgt. Gary Keese, 982d Training Group Flight Chief, said the event provided numerous benefits.

"Tonight influences multi-culturalism," he said. "I wanted to know more about the Comanche Indians after reading about Quanah Parker, the last Comanche chief, who I don't remember ever hearing about while growing up in Odessa, Texas. The history of the American Indian happened all up and down this region of Texas. This helps my kids understand a little better about the history of this area that I tell them about."

For more information on the Comanche Cultural Center, go to www.comanchemuseum.com.

For details on upcoming events at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, visit www.82FSS.com or call (940) 676-4358.