CODE TALKERS DAY BROUGHT LEADERS TOGETHER

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, address the Navajo Code Talkers and their families. (Courtesy Photo)

Aug. 14 | By: NP staff

You ask any Navajo U.S. Marine why they joined the Corp and they’ll tell you because it runs deep in the Navajo culture, tradition, and is the Navajo way of life; to protect the homeland - The Navajo Nation. On Aug. 14th, before a large crowd of Navajo Code Talkers in the Nations Capitol of Window Rock, AZ the Navajo President defined the moment by honoring them.

“Our Navajo Code Talkers have inspired an entire generation. For decades boarding schools tried to silence our native tongue. But when we learned our Diné language defeated the Japanese, we rejoiced in happiness because we now had heroes who were our own. Our language is sacred and used by heroes,” President Shelly said, while looking upon the Vets.

“Honor, Courage, Commitment.”

Arizona Gov Jan Brewer also honored the Navajo Code Talkers, “Thirty years ago today, President Reagan proclaimed August 14th as National Navajo Code Talkers Day – the first official accolade given to these true American heroes following their invaluable contribution to our country’s victory in World War II.

(Related Articles: Navajo President Honors Code Talker)

“Today, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial, in Window Rock, as we paid tribute to the more than 400 men whose language was the basis for ‘the unbreakable code’ that proved instrumental in saving countless American lives. As with all of our WWII veterans, the time we have left with our remaining Code Talkers must be cherished. We can never fully re-pay them for coming to our nation’s aid during its darkest of times, but we can honor their service and memorialize their sacrifice.”