The Ho-Chunk Nation did not host a Memorial Day powwow this
year, but the Andrew Blackhawk Post 129 organized a flag raising ceremony at
the Andrew Blackhawk Memorial Powwow Grounds on May 31.
The 101 registered flags were raised to half-staff a little
after 10 AM. Matthew Mann emceed the
event, and Ken (Hank) Funmaker helped direct people around the arena. The Little Thunder drum group sang honor
songs and round dance songs throughout the event.
Lunch was served to those in attendance around 11 AM. There was one food stand open during most of
the day. The Ladies Auxiliary Unit 129
sold poppies and held a raffle for various prizes.
Veterans then raised the flags to full-staff a little after
noon. Three active-duty servicemen from
outside the Ho-Chunk Nation joined the ceremony and assisted families. Trenton Littlegeorge took care of one of his
family flags.
Flags were taken down and a retreat song was rendered a
little before 2 PM.