FORT SILL, Okla. -- First Lt. Kent Tomah III was a warrior long before he joined the Army.
A member of the Comanche and Navajo nations, Tomah said his heritage is what led him to serve in the military.
"I am night dancer. Navajo born for the Comanche people and I am an American warrior," said Tomah.
He spoke at the Fort Sill National American Indian Heritage Month luncheon Nov. 18 sponsored by 428th Field Artillery Brigade.
Tomah said Native Americans have the highest record of service per capita with 27 Medal of Honor recipients.
"Being a warrior is important to our culture. It's important to the identity and heritage to protect our people, land and our way of life.
"The warrior uses wisdom to make a decision, courage to lead in battle, strength to defeat the enemy. The warrior exemplifies bravery, chivalry and honesty to earn their place amongst the tribe. But then there are those that set themselves apart."
Tomah honored two veterans in attendance at the Patriot Club: retired Staff Sgt. George Red Elk, who was awarded the Silver Star and inducted into the Military Hall of Fame and retired Sgt. Ron Mahsetky, who killed an enemy in hand-to-hand combat in the Vietnam War.
"There was a time when our identity as a warrior subsided into obscurity. For the Comanche warriors it was June 2, 1875, when the last group of Comanches who could fight no more, surrendered here at Fort Sill, laying down the very weapons that earned them the name 'Lord of the Plains.'
"In 1878, the opportunity to achieve the title of warrior was then afforded to Native Americans once again to serve in the U.S. Army as scouts. It was a complex time for our Native Americans because of the untrusting relationship between the tribes and the United States government. "
Tomah said among the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache people in Troop L, the 7th Cavalry, I See O used peace as a means to an end.
"He was the warrior dedicated to creating a better understanding between those who served the U.S. and those who fought the U.S."
Another warrior who practiced peace, even in battle, was a close family friend to Tomah.
Spc. Lori Piestewa was not only the first woman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but also the first Native American woman to die in combat.
"She comes from a family who would do anything to improve the quality of their community, so it didn't surprise me when she joined the Army."
On March 23, Piestewa and her company were ambushed near Nasiriyah, Iraq. As a member of the Hopi tribe, meaning peaceful people, she is remembered by her family for upholding her cultural beliefs even in the end.
"These are just a few of the many warriors who have made sacrifices to ensure the preservation of our warrior identity," said Tomah.
He comes from a long line of service members who fought in World War I, the Korean War and in Vietnam. Serving in the military is a tradition Tomah is proud to continue.
"Our warrior society exists today because of the military. It is military service that provides Native Americans the opportunity to fulfill a cultural purpose to continue their warrior way to fight and defend the country."
Social Sharing