Melanie C. Campos ~ MahTame

A Kiowa Warrior Helicopter came to the Kiowa Black Leggings 50th Anniversary Ceremony. During an honor dance for our Kiowa Veterans, it rose up and circled the dance and then landed again. It was present for the two day event, October 10 and 11 of 2008VISIT OF THE KIOWA WARRIOR

stand aback, await in the shadow
the arrival of the Kiowa Warrior
prepares to land in the sticker field
sending dust and leaves in a blow

young and old, veterans and women
awestruck with this honored visit
pictures, snapshots, lights, action
greeting the spectators held within

some stayed in the safeties of camp
Warriors held on to inner strength
that kept traumatic memories at bay
during the chopper’s deafening amp

flashbacks rushed forward from ago
changed reality’s backdrop to then
radio call outs “may day” or “medic”
received less graciously; few know