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David Stanley Ford

Comanche Nation sues to block a Fort Sill warehouse
Comanche Nation sues to block a Fort Sill warehouse

By Ron Jackson    Comments Comment on this article10
Published: August 23, 2008

FORT SILL — The mere thought of bulldozers carving into the soil near Medicine Bluffs brings William Voelker to tears.

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By Ron Jackson, The Oklahoman
Importance of Medicine Bluffs
Long ago, Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita, Caddo, and Apache tribal members sought physical and spiritual healing atop Medicine Bluffs, a half-dome face of rock that rises 310 feet from Medicine Bluff Creek. Warriors spent many hours in its shadows, fasting and praying for a vision quest to prepare them for battle.

In 1868, Col. B.H. Grierson led a reconnaissance of the Medicine Bluffs site, declaring it a suitable location for the construction of Fort Sill.

A military presence brought training to the sacred site. Soldiers have long used the steep bluff for exercises.

Civilians and military personnel alike eventually used the bluff for rappelling, but that activity has since been banned.

The National Register of Historic Places declared it a historic site in 1974.

The Comanche Nation was granted a temporary restraining order by a federal judge, claiming it was not officially consulted by Fort Sill officials about the construction of a $7.3 million Training Services Center warehouse near Medicine Bluffs. The plaintiffs further claim the warehouse would affect sacred views of the historic area.

"Painful,” said Voelker, a representative of the Comanche Nation. "That's the only word that comes to mind ... It's a desecration of our most sacred of sacred sites.”

A U.S. Army temporary restraining order is all that stands in the way of a Fort Sill expansion project that Voelker fears will ruin sacred American Indian grounds.

A federal judge issued the order Aug. 15 after the Comanche Nation filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City, halting the Army's construction of a Training Services Center warehouse south of the historic site.

Army officials began construction Aug. 14 on the $7.3 million project despite repeated pleas by the Comanche Nation to halt work that close to "sacred ground.”

Fort Sill spokesman Jon Long said Army officials wouldn't comment because of the pending lawsuit, but Col. Robert Bridgford — garrison commander — told The Cannoneer newspaper that he had "extensive dialogue” with the Comanche Nation before it signed off on the groundbreaking.

Voelker contends Bridgford is "blatantly lying.”

He said Bridgford personally received a letter July 30 signed by Comanche Chairman Wallace Coffey and the entire Comanche Business Committee that demanded the project be moved. The lawsuit also includes a Feb. 15 letter to Maj. Gen. Peter Vangjel from Voelker, who described Medicine Bluffs as "a place of immense spiritual and healing medicine to the Comanche people and other tribes alike.”

Voelker proceeded to ask the general for his "direct and personal assistance to take whatever means necessary to cease and desist with any and all plans for destruction of the unmarred landscape ... .”

"Go to Plan B,” Voelker said. "That's all we're asking. The crest and face of the bluff — that's our sanctuary. It's like building a warehouse at the entrance of a church.

"I feel like our religious freedom is being violated. Now we have to go to court and prove why this is sacred ground to us.”

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: U.S. Armed Forces Activities, U.S. Army Activities


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I didn't say that the gov took the land by imminent domaine, I merely refer to the fact that our govt does do that on occasion. A friend had some farmland seized to make a park in OKC. He & family sued and won. Now, about Medicine Bluff, I hope they do NOT build anything on it - other than those temporary structures used in Indian religious ceremonies. I hope they keep it pristine. To put a warehouse on it is ridiculous, like putting a Quicky Mart on Golgotha! Now, to the issue of Ft. Reno. How long before the govt. gives that area back to the Cheyenne-Arapaho? It surely has served it's purpose as a remount station - as we usually don't use horses & mules anymore in our military activities, and it has served to pacify the Western Plains Indians. Now the govt. uses it for an agricultural station, and perhaps an animal experimentation station (rumors of apes in captivity there). So, shouldn't it go back to the tribes if it is no longer being used for its designated purpose?
Mike, Oklahoma City - Sep 2, 2008 at 3:29 pm
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The government did not take the land by imminent domain, they stole it for their base because a bunch of whiny white people snuck into indian territory and cried foul when they were caught. If this was in Israel, we would have riots on our hands. However, since Medicine Bluff does not have any christian significance to it, I see a bunch of ignorant people making comments about it. I am sorry if you don't like the fact that the Comanche Nation is using the governments own laws against them. Remember those same laws protect your religious freedoms. If you don't like it, too bad.
Richard, Oklahoma City - Aug 29, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Whoever owns it, right. Like ownership is a given anymore. What was stolen, is it that person's property? If you own land, and the government takes it by imminent domaine, then you don't have much say in what is done on that property anymore, do you? Keep your warehouses out of this beautiful area. Why stir up a hornet's nest because of some storage space?
Mike, Oklahoma City - Aug 25, 2008 at 3:15 pm
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I agree that it would be a shame to put a warehouse out there in that beautiful area, but whoever owns that property should be able to do whatever they want.
Sean, Shawnee - Aug 25, 2008 at 12:48 am
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I don't know about sacred areas, but the medicine bluff area is beautiful. To mar the beauty with something as crass as a warehouse is a crime.
Gerald, Duncan - Aug 23, 2008 at 11:09 pm
sacred areas need to be protected. I agree you Becky. Black Hills and Bear Butte is certainly an example. Jackson
john, Poplar - Aug 23, 2008 at 8:29 pm
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Amen, what Burt says. Another fine point brought to light.
Becky, Park Hill - Aug 23, 2008 at 8:20 pm
They said the same thing about Mount Rushmore when it was being created. Also for Hoover Dam and Grand Cooley Dam. When the Taliban ran Afganistan, they destroyed one of the most important archeological and religious sites in the world all in the name of Islam. Ft. Sill needs to go back in its history books and look at the stories of the Comanche code talkers. They and other tribes made it possible to conduct covert missions that confounded the Germans and later Japanese. The Army owes an unplayable debt of gratitude.
burt, edmond - Aug 23, 2008 at 8:03 pm
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John, how crass you are as are most people that have never taken the time to understand the significance of these places that have been held as sacred by Native Americans for 100's of years. Instead of being ignorant and making rude comments, it is best to keep one's mouth shut if you don't really KNOW what you are talking about.
Becky, Park Hill - Aug 23, 2008 at 6:22 pm
if it was a casino you all would not be griping
John, del city - Aug 23, 2008 at 4:40 pm
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