Navajo Code Talkers

Arizona

I appreciate and respect people who give to others. I have always felt that in giving you receive so much more than you actually give.

I have always felt the indigenous peoples of America have lost dramatically as this country became populated by immigrants from other nations. So for me to spend Thanksgiving Day giving thanks and paying respects on the Navajo Reservation at the Code Talker Monument and tribute felt right.

I was saddened upon reaching the reservation and speaking with people to learn the poor outcomes the tribe suffered from Covid as it swept through the population. Masking was required for anyone visiting the tribal lands and I had no problem respecting the requirement.

As I stood in respect at the monument the wind carried the sounds of children as they climbed the rocks. Children were thriving in the freedom that others gave their lives for.

I couldn’t help but smile that the wind was talking to me as I stood humbled before the plaque listing the code talkers.

It seemed I stood in midst of greatness, I felt small and insignificant in the beauty around me and grateful for the sacrifices others had made for my freedoms.

I would be remiss in not mentioning that this monument sits before the window rock formation. Which is a gloriously beautiful backdrop to this monument.

This area is totally accessible to people of all modes of mobility.

Links:

https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/american-indian-code-talkers