The walk remembers the plight of the Native Americans forced from their ancestral homes to the Indian territory in what became the State of Oklahoma. Diary records of the removal mentioned Port Royal, the last stop before leaving Tennessee, as an encampment site where the Cherokee stayed to re-supply, grind corn and rest. Hundreds of Cherokee died during their trip west, and thousands more perished as a consequence of relocation.

The third annual Trail of Tears Memorial Walk

Members of the Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club

Attendance this year was somewhat lower than expected most likely due to the cold wet weather on Saturday, but it picked up with the warm sunny weather on Sunday. NCC Treasurer Philenese Slaughter said “Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.” she had especially glowing praise for the Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club who preformed on Saturday, “The Hawaiian dancers added a lot, and are wonderful. I want to thank them for coming out and sharing their culture with the mainland Indians.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WWII Veteran John Clark

Part of the Grand Entry ceremony that opens the Powwow each day is giving special recognition to the Active duty soldiers, and Veterans from all branches of the Military that are present. One of those recognized was John Clark who fought in the United States Army in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. He celebrated his 91st birthday at the Powwow this year. John was accompanied by his daughter who was also a retired army veteran. The Women Veterans of America had a booth at the Powwow providing information about their organization to the attendees.

The Head lady this year was supposed to be Jill Smith, but she became ill a day before the Powwow began, and was sent home to recover. The head man was Chris Crosby. Faron Weeks the Master of Ceremony. Charles Page served as the Head Vet. Shawn Longfeather as the arena master. The Powwow Princess was Christa Koontz. The host drum was The White Horse Singers from Alabama. The guest drum was Southern Echo which hales from East Tennessee.

The Powwow showcased the best of Native American culture, and in doing so reminded us all of the heritage of this great land that we all call home. And since in Tennessee October is “Native American Indian Month,” the Powwow was a great way to celebrate it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo Gallery

A gallery of images from the 2009 NCC Intertribal Powwow is available at:

http://www.discoverclarksville.com/photogallery/events/2009/ncc-intertribal-powwow/

A Community Fair featuring local organizations that offer their services to soldiers and their families.

The Community Health Fair gave a people a quick medical checkup, and with the harsh sun and high temperatures the sound advice to keep hydrated.

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundations Sky Soldiers Cobra Demonstration Team

The Red Cross was another life safer cooling people down with their misting fans, and first aid station.

The Budweiser Clydesdales also stayed over after their recent visit to Clarksville to put in an appearance at the Air show.

The Kids Fair kept the younger attendees entertained with inflatables, face painting, duck pond, dance demonstrations and more.

A static display of ground vehicles used by the 101st.

The 101st had a static display of the vehicles which serve our soldiers well during their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan including the life saving Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP), the ubiquitous Hummer,  various helicopters (CH47 Chinook, UH60 Blackhawk, OV58 Kiowa Warrior…), along with several other vehicles.

There was also a collection of historical displays featuring aircraft many of them operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, including their Sky Soldiers Demonstration Team, along with model WWII and Vietnam camps.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so  I will let the image gallery tell you the rest of the story!

Presented as part of the Global Govs Passport Series, the lecture will take place at 11:30 a.m., Monday, April 21 in Memorial Health Gym (formerly known as the Red Barn).

Infantry, Cannon Company in France and Germany. During the war he served on the front lines firing cannons. He also worked as a radio operator for a forward observer at an observation post.

Prior to serving in the Army, Mayfield taught elementary school. He obtained his teacher’s certificate at Western Kentucky State Teacher’s College in 1940. Upon leaving the Army in 1946, Mayfield returned to college and double majored in physics and English. After graduation, Mayfield accepted a teaching position at Mercer University.

Mayfield began teaching physics at APSU in 1957. He was instrumental in organizing APSU’s Department of Physics and served as the first chair of the department. Mayfield still teaches physics at APSU as a professor emeritus.

Dr. Dewey Browder, professor and chair of the history department at APSU and a friend of Mayfield’s, will also speak at the event.

For more information, contact Leslie Cragwall with APSU Student Life and Leadership, (931) 221-7431.