Today is National Navajo Code Talkers Day

[LetMyPeopleVote]

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[electric_blue68]

1. Many thanks to them! And ty

In the top photo they are sitting in front of one the most beautiful high desert places in The USA- Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation.

(I've been there!)

[rampartd]

4. scene of many great westerns

semper fi to our navajo marines.

[electric_blue68]

5. I know that about the Western movies...i rarely watched any of them...

Instead watching Westerns on TV when I was a kid.

[peacebuzzard]

9. thanks for identifying the location

great and historical portrait depicting a pivotal moment

[Wounded Bear]

2. Semper Fi!

[LoisB]

3. An integral part of the victory in WWII. I don't believe they got the credit they deserved.

Thank you to the Navajo Code Talkers.

[Beartracks]

6. KnR

[Warpy]

7. Other tribes also participated

which was another reason the codes totally flummoxed the Japanese. Even if they captured a Native American, either he didn't know the language or he didn't know the code.

Navajos were the most numerous, rendering other tribes invisible. The code talkers I met when I first moved out west were so self effacing that something tells me they prefer it that way. Still, it would be nice to see all the tribes recognized for their dangerous and incredibly effective service.

[electric_blue68]

11. Oh, wow. Yes, the other participating tribes should be acknowledged.

[peacebuzzard]

8. This thread is full of emotion. These native and true Americans are of the highest honor.

Now I want to visit Monument Valley.

[electric_blue68]

12. Unless its changed, my friend and went in the summer. There looks like a nice hotel that overlooks it (photos I've seen)

We came from the southern east side.

There a 17 mile self guided road that you can drive down into.

We slept out in sleeping bags over night on the top area that you drive in at first.
(there's an outhouse)

Fell asleep about 9P w a full moon, woke up around 3AM w The Milky Way spanning over us.
A day, night, and morning full of *magic*!

[peacebuzzard]

15. magical. That was the way to do it.

I have spent much time in the Santa Fe area and also El Rito.
But nothing like the monument and deep sky, unhampered by inhabited areas.
I really am looking forward to going sometime soon.
This history all the way up to present day will be something I will feel a deep melancholy and longing for something that never happened and should have. This area is so fragile and has experienced prejudice and violence and destruction of the native inhabitants and wildlife. But its something I want to experience it in the raw. I have to go there.

[electric_blue68]

16. Some things are gone, some things are being restored, some things still hang on....

Some Native Elders have been able to pass their history to younger people it's not all bad news, though there has been much.

Try to let the melancholy leave when you do arrive there, as they say "be here now". Take in all the sights, sounds, smells. Rejoice in the amazing beauty there!

And please report to me/us on your visit at some point after!
Go well!


(passed through Santa Fe on my way to South Dakota the summer after my coast to coast US trip which included MV )

[peacebuzzard]

18. I will let you know.

I looked the location up on a map and it is quite a drive from Santa Fe. 6+ hours to be exact. I will go maybe in the spring/summer next year.
That area is beautiful but can have a driving challenge in cold weather.
I will do the same! summer drive is best. You took a long scenic drive! gorgeous.

[electric_blue68]

20. Definitely later Spring, early Summer is better, and safer weather & drive wise

[electric_blue68]

17. ETA. I know what you mean about "have to go there"...how I ended up traveling...

On my own (vs previous family vacations) I'd been to DC, and Geogia, But that's about it.

So it was like Feb '79 i was 25, soon 26. I was watching TV, perhaps it was PBS, or a National Geographc show about - it could of been about The National Parks, or natural US landscapes whether a NP or not.
While they covered the whole country...
I'd been captivated by The Grand Canyon by ?6th grade, over time more of The Southwest. They certainly included that.

I'm watching this program, and they mention encroaching development, encroaching pollution, etc.

I don't remember if I literally jumped off the comfy chair, or "mentally" jumped up thinking - "I have to go now before it's too late!".

Well, I couldn't just quite then between $$, plus cold weather... but I started to save up. Had enough money by late June to set off. Left ?July 2. My NYC friend as I am an NYC'r was already in California, and we agreed to meet in Flagstaff Arizona to travel to several places within the The Navajo, and Hopi Nations for 2 1/2 day. It was a a glorious mini-adventure! Then he continued to Texas, and I headed to San Francisco.

[peacebuzzard]

19. Back in 79 things were a lot different.

I hope the area still looks the same. I am afraid many conservation protections may be gone and the area has been encroached.
I have visited and lived for short periods of time in N. Mexico and I certainly see the out of control growth in the cities/towns.

[oasis]

10. Thank you Code Talkers.

[republianmushroom]

13. Thank you for your serve, sirs.

RIP

[spanone]

14. K&R