COMANCHE COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)—Serving in the United States military as a member of a Native American tribe is a different experience from serving as a non-native veteran. Kristopher Killsfirst, with the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, served many years in the U.S. Army and explained what differentiated the experience. ‘Keep it alive’: Apache Tribal Princess sets sights on Native veterans at 89th American Indian Expo "I am a member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma first, and then I'm a U.S. citizen," Killsfirst said. "When we go to war, native veterans are one of the truly the only ones that goes and fights under two flags." Upon returning home, veterans from the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma become members of the Blackfeet Society. This group holds not only societal significance within the Apache, but also spiritual significance. Darrin Cisco, a cultural specialist with the Apache, traces the traditions tied to military service back beyond recorded history. "Whenever somebody is getting ready to be sent off to war or even to train overseas, there's a certain ceremony done for them. There's a certain ceremony done for them when they come home," Cisco said. "That part hasn't changed. We still do those things to this day." Killsfirst attributes the Blackfeet Society, and the cultural infrastructure built up around Apache veterans for the successful reintegration of his grandfather when he returned home from Vietnam. Kiowa tribe celebrates warriors of the past and present on Veterans Day "My grandma ensured that he was welcome home," Killsfirst said. "They prayed over him. They said, let those bad things go with your experience. That is self-healing. And that is a cultural healing and a community healing that most veterans don't get." Years later, when Killsfirst returned home after his service, he was treated to the same ceremonies as his grandfather. "I, myself, have a song that was made for me by my father-in-law that is still sung to this day," Killsfirst said." "So, those are the things that is done. They don't do it for us, they do it because of us." Whether it's singing songs or praying over their returned warriors, traditions like the Blackfeet Society will keep Apache culture alive for many years to come.