Code talkers get send-off for trip to Big Apple

The flags of the United States, the Navajo Nation and the Marine Corps flew overhead as 13 Navajo Code Talkers gathered in front of Fire Rock Navajo Casino.

The code talkers were at the casino Sunday afternoon for a send-off ceremony before embarking on their trip to participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade.

When Don Buzney, human resources director for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, introduced the code talkers, applause came from the audience as someone honked their horn from the nearby parking lot.

"It is an honor to be given the opportunity," code talker Keith Little said. "For me, it's a once in a lifetime to go to a city where there is a lot of sky scrapers and we will enjoy all of that."

Little is one of the 13 code talkers who are traveling to New York City. The other code talkers are Albert Smith, Samuel Holiday, Frank Chee Willetto, David Jordan, Kee Etscitty, Bahe Ketchum, Alfred Peaches, Bill Toledo, Peter MacDonald Sr., Lemuel Yazzie, Lloyd Oliver and Joe Vandever.

The code talkers will ride on HBO's "The Pacific" float in the annual parade that marches up Fifth Avenue.

"The Pacific" is named for a 10-part miniseries that focuses on three U.S. Marines serving in the Pacific during World War II. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman produced the program, which will air in March 2010.

Although the miniseries does not touch on the code talkers' contributions during the war, HBO is pleased to have the group participate in the parade.

This trip was collaboration between HBO, Fire Rock Navajo Casino, and the Navajo Nation speaker's office.

Natasha Kaye Johnson, a staff assistant with the speaker's office, told the audience that the No. 1 request the office receives is information about the code talkers.

"We know our code talkers, we are proud of them ... they are recognized for the impact and the history they had on the world," Johnson said.

Sean McCabe, chairman of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors, said he wished the group a safe trip.

"They laid the foundation of what the great Navajo Nation is today," McCabe said.

Buzney informed the audience that a protection ceremony was done earlier in the day for the travelers.

T.C. Tso, staff assistant with the Office of the President and Vice President, encouraged the code talkers to share the story of their trip with the Navajo people after they return.

"Go and enjoy yourself and be a good ambassador and representative of this great Navajo Nation," Tso said.

Being at the ceremony was important to Matilda Brown, of Tohatchi, N.M., because her brother was code talker Robert Bowman, who passed away earlier this decade.

Brown said that she was glad the group was going and that they will share the sacredness of the Navajo language with the people of New York.

Elouse Smiley was busily collecting signatures from the code talkers. Smiley traveled from Farmington to be at the event.

"I always wanted to know who they are," she said. "First time I see all of them together and it sends chills up and down my spine. Instead of just reading about them and seeing their picture, I got to meet them and I got to talk to them and I also got a chance to shake their hands and tell them thank you."

At 4:10 p.m., the code talkers started the first leg of their journey, riding on a Navajo Transit bus to Albuquerque. They were scheduled to fly Monday, Nov. 9, from New Mexico to New York City. They will return Thursday, Nov. 12. Because of their advanced age, they have companions accompanying them.

HBO is paying for the code talkers' airfare, hotel, and travel in the city while the speaker's office and Fire Rock Navajo Casino are working together to cover the cost for the code talkers' companions, travel to and from Albuquerque, a one night hotel stay in Albuquerque, and for meals in Albuquerque and New York.

The 1.5-mile parade features more than 20,000 participants, including veterans, active military personnel, ROTC and JROTC units, civic and youth groups and marching bands. It proceeds up Fifth Avenue from 26th Street to 56th Street, according to the parade's Web site.

In addition to participating in the parade, the code talkers will attend an invitation-only breakfast hosted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion.

They will also attend the opening ceremony at the Eternal Memorial Monument in Madison Square Park. This ceremony is attended by elected officials and special guests and involves a wreath laying, 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

The United War Veterans Council of New York City presents the New York City Veterans Day Parade each year. The council is a nonprofit organization that is responsible for hosting and producing Veterans Day ceremonies, memorial events and other recognition in the city, according to the organization's Web site.

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