The camp started 'stirring' early this morning. Pancakes were cooking in the camp kitchen and coffee was ready.... thanks to Mouse and Riley. There was still wet grass from the rain the evening before.... and the morning mist filled the camp site. But just like the coffee wakes you up in the morning... and gets you ready for the day... the sun came out and did a fine job of drying off our tents and kitchen equipment so that we could pack up and be ready to walk the last few miles from Texas to Oklahoma.

We had only about 15 miles to walk to the border between these two states. It was in a town appropraitely named Texola... a combination of Texas and Oklahoma. When we arrived we were greeted by people from the surrounding communities of Oklahoma. The Sacred Hoop was taken out and smudged.. as well as the Walkers and the people who had come to greet us. By this time there were only a few white clouds high up in the sky... and lots of blue.

The Little Wolf Singers - Cheyenne/Arapho were there to sing for this ceremony. Gary Don Sage, Max J. Watan, and Max Watan. There was a Color Guard from the Oklahoma Inter-Tribal Vietnam Veterans Association. Jody Stevens is the Commander , Michael Toahty is Vice-Commander, and Max Watan is also a member of the Color Guard. The songs they gave to us as the Sacred Hoop and the silhouette of Brandy were brought into their circle by the Walkers were beautiful and much appreciated.

Speakers at the Ceremony included Fred Short, Viola Hatch, Michael Toahty, Sue Martinez and Terry White. Sue Martinez had been watching over us and taking care of our needs since we met her at the New Mexico/Texas State Line. It was difficult for her to let us go... and it was hard for us to be without Sue as well. Viola shared with us that she had just lost a neice that very morning in a traffic accident... and one of our Walkers... John White Shirt had just learned of a death in his family in Oklahoma as well. Fred and Connie Short who had just joined us from California also had just gotten word that there had been a death in their family and they would be leaving soon to go back to California. The Little Wolf Singers soothed a lot of pain during this Ceremony when they sang a Memorial Song for all those departed spirits. Our hearts go out to all those who are suffering loss in this Circle and across this land.

There was a Veterans Honoring .... and we were told about honorings that are in the Washington D.C. area that we should try to visit when we arrive there. One of our Walkers wears a hat that honors Veterans ... and she shared with them that the hat... and what it represents has kept her strong many times when she felt like she just wanted to give up and go back home. From outside this circle today it appeared that the Veterans were receiving honor.. and also giving strength to a young woman who is walking in their honor. We were happy they were there ... and we felt honored by their presence in this circle.

John White Shirt shared the story of Brandy and the reason why we are on this Walk with the Circle... as did a couple of other Walkers. The People who had come to welcome us listened ... as the silhouette of Brandy stood next to the Sacred Hoop... the feathers of the Hoop moving in the breeze.

Terry White of Erick, Oklahoma spoke and welcomed us. He will be our host for this night's camp. He told us that he had recieved a generous donation from Keith and Cindy Young to be spent on feeding us this evening... and also that Charlie Oren had donated buffalo meat for our meal. His girlfriend.. Eileen Sexton is a 'major help' he added... as 'she does most of the cooking'. Immogene Herndon is the maker of the fry bread. (This announcement brought a round of applause from the walkers).

After the ceremony we continued the walk to Erick, Okla and then drove the few miles out of town to Terry's home. Many of those who had come to welcome us at the border also arrived at Terry's home with us. He has a spacious yard and had recently mowed the grass so that we could pitch our tents easily. There was good food and fellowship this day and evening. Snookins Honena did the blessing for us before our meal and then Terry had some words to share about his Mother. She stood to one side of the people.. smiling... as Terry shared for all of us to hear about how much he loves his Mother... and how wonderful she has been to him. It's really good to hear a man speak to and about his Mother in this way.

Thank you to all of the people who came to greet us and give us such a beautiful welcoming ceremony into Oklahoma. Thank you to Sue Martinez for all she did for us during our walk thru the state of Texas. We're going to miss you Sue !!! We hope you make it to Washington D.C. for our final Ceremony !!!!