By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
A little storm and flight cancellation couldn’t stop the Puyallup Tribal Veterans from reaching Keshena, Wis., for the annual Gathering of Warriors Powwow on the Menominee Indian Tribe Reservation.
After a six-hour delay in Minneapolis, the Tribal Veterans were told their flight to Green Bay, Wis., was canceled entirely.
Jay Simchen, Teddy Simchen and Clarence Tougaw drove four hours from Minneapolis to Keshena, arriving a little after midnight, but still in time to join the Veterans of the Menominee Nation for local college and high school graduations the day before the powwow.
The Tribal Veterans have attended the Gathering of Warriors Powwow for more than a decade and have become regular guests in the weekend’s events.
The Simchens and Tougaw carried flags all weekend, assisting in posting colors whenever needed. They were recognized with all veterans throughout the weekend for their service, and Tougaw was honored separately with other Desert Storm veterans, as well.
To wrap up the weekend, the Tribal Veterans blanketed the incoming Veterans of the Menominee Nation Princess, a tradition they started years ago.
