Young, old seek a piece of history on Code Talker Day

Navajo Code Talker Day was celebrated Aug. 14 with a motorcycle honor ride that began in Farmington and ended at Veterans Memorial Park, where the more than 50 riders ushered in a parade.

In 1942, 29 Navajo Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., became the first to use an unbreakable code based on the Navajo language, which proved instrumental in helping the Allies defeat the Japanese in World War II.

They were sworn to secrecy and not until 1968 was their role declassified as public information. Word spread, and in 1982 President Ronald Reagan designated Aug. 14 "Navajo Code Talkers Day" in recognition of their unique contribution.

Four years ago the Navajo Nation Council designated Navajo Code Talker Day as a tribal holiday.

For the granddaughters of the late code talker Enoch Smith, it's a day they hoped would bring them closer to the man they never knew.

Teryl Dickson and Isabelle Begay never got to meet their grandfather and don't even know what he looks like. This year, however, they accompanied their mother, Louise Smith, to the celebration of Navajo Code Talkers Day.

"I'm trying to see if there are any photos of him in his uniform, you know like the ones where they're all dressed up?" said Louise Smith, who was attending the annual event for the second time.

Family members did not disclose the details of Enoch Smith's death in 1970, except to note that at 55, "he was still pretty young," Begay said. "We wished that he was still living to see events like these."

Louise was told last year that there's a possibility her father may have some medals and awards coming, so she brought along some paperwork like his discharge form to prove his service.

She's visited the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs and the Navajo Code Talkers Association to find more information, but all she was told was that people would be looking into the matter and get back to the family.

"We never had the chance to meet him," Dickson said. "We just heard stories about what he was like and some of the things he did. We never got to know him."

Family members agreed that an important part of their family history is missing and they would like to resolve that soon so they can celebrate their code talker's life and contribution to U.S. history.

In the meantime, they made the journey from their homes in Dilkon and Sanders, Ariz., to be among more than 300 people attending the festivities that in and around a tent erected in the parking lot. They formed a standing-room-audience inside, and around the outside were vendor and informational booths, many with a military theme.

The center of attention was the 16 Navajo Code Talkers in attendance.

"I think next year we may have to get a bigger tent," said Michael Smith, coordinator and son of code talker Samuel Smith, noting that attendance has grown in the four years since the event was founded.

Smith took it upon himself to coordinate festivities, inspired by people celebrating Ira Hayes and the flag-raising on Iwo Jima, site of the most famous battle in which the code talkers played a pivotal role.

"I thought we could celebrate the code talkers like how they celebrated the raising of the flag," Smith said. "It's basically a party for them and to show them that we appreciate them."

Smith said he hopes one day to see the parade held on Navajo Code Talker Day be just as big, if not bigger, than the Navajo Nation Fair parade.

Volunteers and sponsors helped make the event possible, and Smith welcomed everyone to get involved with future events.

Information: www.navajocodetalkers.org.

Back to top ^