Honoring our heros
Navajo Nation celebrates Navajo Code Talker Day

Navajo Code Talkers Ray Hawthorne and Samual Holiday walk at the front of the parade with P.J. James USMC Retired on Thursday. It has been nearly 40 years since the declassification of the secret that helped the United States win World War II. — © 2008 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — More than 30 Navajo Code Talkers showed up for a parade and ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in their honor Thursday.

This was only the second time that Navajo Code Talkers Day on Aug. 14 has been celebrated as a Navajo Nation holiday, but hundreds came out to pay their respect for the men who helped to win World War II.

It was an emotional day for many as tears came to their eyes.

The Code Talkers sat up front — most in their trademark gold shirts and red caps.

Code Talker Albert Smith said about having a day in their honor, “It means everything.”

“A lot of people say it is good we’re being recognized but to me, I am happy to know that I was recognized by my Spiritual Father who brought me home safe,” Smith said. “The Spiritual Father guided me so I could face the enemy regardless of the fighting that was going on.”

There were times when he snuck by the enemy yet he came back without a scratch, he said.

Code Talker Kee Etsicitty said it was a wonderful day.
“The people start recognizing what we had done. It was for all of them. We did this for this country,” Etsicitty said.
Code Talker Thomas H. Begay said Navajo Code Talkers Day means a lot to him.

“I’m living to see it. Those that are gone, killed in combat — they’re not here to see it,” Begay said.

Begay was with the 5th Marine Division Infantry, where 33 Code Talkers were stationed. He maintained radio communication during the Iwo Jima battle, spending 38 days there, he said.

Begay pulled out a book marked confidential with the terms that the Code Talkers used to relay messages.
President of Navajo Code Talkers Association Keith Little said that the Code Talkers came from humble beginnings and had to face racism and discrimination as they served their country.

“The Navajo code was treated with skepticism,” Little said. However, the code eventually outperformed all other conventional military codes, he said.

“We came back — no fanfare of any kind,” Little said. The military told the Code Talkers to keep the code a secret. Now the association is working on getting a museum to tell their story and store their legacy.

Congressman Tom Udall has no doubt about the legacy that the Code Talkers have left.

“The brilliance of their stars will shine forever,” Udall said in a letter read aloud by his representative Cal Curley.