By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
A February trip to Sacaton, Ariz., has become tradition for the Puyallup Tribal Veterans every year as the group makes the trip to march in the Iwo Jima Flag Raising Commemoration Parade. The event takes place in the birthplace of Ira Hayes, a Gila River Indian Community Member and one of the six men in the historic photograph of the flag raising.
This year’s event celebrated the 80th anniversary of the flag raising and was attended by Puyallup Tribal Veterans Michael Sisson, Clarence Tougaw and Jay and Teddy Simchen.
“I love being able to represent our Tribe. … The Tribe is gracious enough to send us out here, so I try to make sure everyone remembers the Puyallup Tribal Members that were out here,” Teddy Simchen said.
The night before the parade, a dinner took place where veterans were able to catch up with old friends from near and far.
“It’s really fun because you hear a lot of comments like, ‘Oh, those are the people from way up north,’ or ‘They’re from Washington state,’ or ‘There’s the salmon people,’” Tougaw said. “They recognize us and it’s an honor to be recognized. It’s a conversation starter with many people, especially with the older generations we’ve come across several times at events.”
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Lieutenant Gov. Regina Antone were also present and were gifted smoked salmon from the Puyallup Tribal Veterans.
“They treat us really well out here. It’s just a lot of fun, and we’ve developed friendships with the people here and the other places we go to,” Jay Simchen said. “We know a lot of people from different places, and we see them, talk, and that’s always enjoyable.”
He added it’s also an opportunity to honor other veterans.
“I’m retired military, so, to honor somebody else is just part of what we’re taught to do,” he said. “That camaraderie with other veterans and being able to honor other veterans – that’s just part of the brotherhood.”
The Tribal Veterans also got the chance to meet a World War II veteran who was present at the dinner.
“To meet that 100-year-old veteran that was actually in the conflict there at Iwo Jima. … He was in that conflict and to see that man standing up straight walking around the way he was; that was inspiring,” Sisson said.
For Sisson, he said it means everything to represent the Tribe at these events. It’s something that has expanded far beyond what he thought it would.
“I represent the Tribe in a lot of different ways that I never really thought that I would,” he said. “When I wear a shirt that says, ‘Native,’ when I wear a shirt that says, ‘Puyallup Tribe of Indians,’ when I drive down the street because there’s something Tribal on my truck. No matter what I do, I represent the Tribe and I try to do it with the utmost respect. I try to do it in a way that will honor my ancestors and I try to do it in a way that will represent my children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.”
The Tribal Veterans were joined on the parade route by Puyallup Tribal Member and former Councilman David Bean who carried the Puyallup Tribal flag.
Sisson carried the Eagle Staff, Tougaw carried the Puyallup Tribal Veterans flag, Jay Simchen drove the support vehicle and Teddy Simchen ran back and forth on both sides of the road greeting and passing out smoked salmon to paradegoers.
“This is an honor to be able to step up for your Tribe,” Teddy Simchen said. “When they’re gracious enough to send us here, spend all this money on us doing this, to stand here, be happy and answer questions, I just can’t find no good reason not to.”
Sisson said the emotions on the parade route are different depending on what you’re doing. Having come to this event for nearly 20 years, he’s had the honor of carrying out just about every role.
“I’ve done this parade carrying the flag, I’ve done this parade driving the support van, and this year I had the honor of carrying the Eagle Staff along the parade route while I was rolling in my chair,” Sisson said. “That goes back to representing the Tribe. You’re there to represent the Tribe.”
Tougaw and Sisson both wanted to acknowledge the support from Puyallup Tribal Council allowing them to represent the Tribe at the events they go to throughout the year.
“The best part about it is the Puyallup Tribe’s support of the veterans is far greater than I’ve seen with other Tribes,” Tougaw said. “I’m so grateful the Tribe puts forth the effort to make sure our veterans are comfortable during the trip and that we’re well taken care of. … Tribal Council’s support of the veterans is awesome.”
“Tribal Council understands that we are spreading the good will of the Tribe. … Several members of Tribal Council have come to participate in this event with us over the years,” Sisson added. “I believe we have the full support of Tribal Council now and past Council.”
Up next for the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will be the 92nd annual Daffodil Parade set for April 5. They will also be posting the colors for the Franklin Pierce School District Powwow at Franklin Pierce High School on May 31.
