Ogitchedaw Veterans Report on 2010 Activities  

by Ervin "Butch" Starrett  

This is the first annual report to inform the community of the activities that the veterans have been involved with in the past year. The veterans started the year with the planning and completion of the community Eagle Staff. It proved to be a very exciting endeavor for the group. Many acceptable traditions needed to be discussed and understood by all. The knowledge that was gained, and shared will always be an important part of the Ogitchedaw. The veterans were able to complete the Staff for the first Traditional Memorial Day pow wow, Oshke – Kno – Kewewen, Honoring the New Eagle Staff. Chairman Matthew Wesaw accepted the staff for the community, and presented it to Navy and Vietnam veteran Lynn Davison for its care. 

Next came the planning of the Second Annual Memorial Day Veterans Golf Tournament. The tournament is held on the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend. It is free to all Pokagon Tribal Veterans. The first year there were 144 golfers, and this year it expanded to 230 participants. The veterans were able to invite groups from the local veteran organizations, such as the VFW, American Legion, and Tri County Korean Veterans group, Army, Air Force and Marines. The veterans invited Vietnam veteran Donald Chubb to speak of his military service, and it was a heartwarming experience for all. Other guest speakers included Chairman Matthew Wesaw, and nationally-known NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens. 

The Memorial Day weekend continued with the Traditional Pow Wow held on Saturday, and Sunday. The veterans set up a booth with giveaways, and veteran information. The veterans participated in the Grand Entries and other events. On Sunday the veterans were joined by Congressman Fred Upton, and presented with American flags. The veterans in turn gifted Congressman Upton with a traditional warrior’s Koch Stick. 

Monday the Color Guard marched in the annual Memorial Day parade in Dowagiac, Michigan. Pokagon’s veterans have been marching in this event for many years. The Guard consisted of Mike Zimmerman, Roger Williams, Gus Gwilt, Lynn Davidson, Jerry Campbell, Anthony Foerster, and Butch Starrett, accompanied by Tribal Sisters Jackie Trux, and Teresa McFall. It was the first time that our community Eagle staff was able to be a part of this annual event, and it was received well by the local community. 

The next important project the Ogitchedaw completed was to get the Veterans Code reviewed and approved by Tribal Council. Upon the approval the three officers needed to be installed as approved by Council. Those officers are as follows: Ogema Ervin (Butch) Starrett, three year term, Secretary Roger Williams, two year term, and Treasurer Lynn Davidson, one year term. A big megwetch goes out to Tribal Council and tribal associate general counsel Edward Williams for their hard work in this matter. 

In August the veterans were in Oklahoma for the Potawatomi Gathering. The veterans attended a meeting of all the Potawatomi veteran groups, and shared information. The list of our community’s veterans on their family eagle feathers has been put on display in the cultural center of the Citizen Band of Potawatomi enclosed in glass. It is moving to see many of our Pokagon veterans’ names proudly on display, a big megwetch to the Citizen Band of Potawatomi. If you are in the Oklahoma area, please take time to visit the cultural center; discounted camping with all the amenities is available to all Potawatomi community members. 

September began with the annual Womens Water Walk and Kee Boon Mein Kaa Pow Wow. The veterans again participated in all the various activities of the weekend. Veterans Jerry Campbell, Anthony Foerster, and Butch Starrett participated in the walk with the community Eagle Staff. The Pow Wow included camping, a veterans booth, Grand Entries, dancing, great food, various cultural activities, and new friendships. Veterans from the Saginaw Chippewa, Gun Lake, and Huron Band also were in attendance, and the veterans greatly appreciate their support with our events. The veterans had many members from across the country stop by and either register with the group or just say hello. The veterans felt very welcomed by the Pow Wow Committee, and say megwetch for all of their hospitality and support. 

Reaffirmation Day is the day that celebrates the signing into law the restoration of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi by the federal government. The veterans were present at this event a complete display of all the tribal and military flags of our community: Pokagon community Eagle Staff, Anthony Foerster (Marine); United States flag, Gus Gwilt (Marine); Pokagon nation flag, Ken Rader (Air Force); State of Michigan flag, Ollie Shear (Army); Indiana State Flag, Lynn Davidson, (Navy); US Army flag, Ken Kirvan, (Army); US Navy flag Carl Wesaw, (Army); US Marine flag, Mike Zimmerman, (Army); US Air Force flag, Butch Starrett (Army) and POW/MIA flag, Jerry Campbell (Army). 

September ended with the Gathering of Eagle Staffs hosted by the Sault Saint Marie Chippewa Indian Community, attended by Anthony Foerster, Roger Williams, and Butch Starrett. It proved to be a time of learning and sharing information needed to understand what is expected in the care and creation of an Eagle Staff. Staffs were brought forth by the individual care takers who told us their stories, from the beginning to now. 

November 20 the veterans attended the 57^th Annual Chicago Pow Wow to support the honoring of Tribal member Leroy Wesaw Sr., and the presentation of our Nation’s flag to the Chicago American Indian Center at Navy Pier. Their pow wow is a coming together of many North American tribes and communities. The veterans are honored and grateful to have been invited to take part in this wonderful event. Roger Williams, Jerry Campbell, Anthony Foerster, Butch Starrett and many tribal members were able to attend; The veterans all had a great time. 

Veterans Day proved to be a busy day for many of our veterans. Anthony Foerster participated in the ceremonies at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. Roger Williams and Carl Wesaw attended the Veterans Pow Wow at the Gun Lake tribal community center organized by head veteran George Martin. Some local businesses offered gifts to the veterans, which many veterans enjoyed. 

Upcoming events for 2011 that are in the works: 

1. Veterans website 
2. Veterans office space 
3. Saturday meetings 
4. Family Eagle Feathers 
5. A calendar of events  
6. Increased membership 

The veterans would like to take this time to thank all for their military service. It is with a sense of duty that the veterans continue to serve our community. The veterans would like to invite any and all who have served to join us in the development of the Pokagon Bode’wadmik Ogitchedaw. The veterans need the input and help of all Pokagon veterans young and old to identify our future mission. Please join in this journey; it is not only needed, but fun, interesting, and exciting.