Nez gets the sendoff a code talker deserves
(Courtesy photo - Luis Sanchez Saturno/The New Mexican)
People place flowers on top of Chester Nez's casket at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on June 10. Chester Nez was the last surviving member of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers.
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
CHINLE, June 12, 2014
(Courtesy photo - Luis Sanchez Saturno/The New Mexican)
Michael Nez, son of Chester Nez, salutes his father's casket at his father's funeral at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on June 10. Chester Nez was the last surviving member of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers.
Lots and lots of respect.
“There was -- wow -- an outrageous amount of people,” said Nez’s grandson Latham Nez, 39. “So many people were there. Several different motorcycle groups."
Judy Avila, who ghost-wrote Chester Nez’s autobiography and is currently acting as the family spokeswoman, said she knew Nez had touched many people’s lives in his 93 years, but she still couldn’t believe what she saw at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
“The cortege must have been two miles long,” Avila said. “It was absolutely incredible. What I found almost unbelievable is that they actually closed the freeway between Albuquerque (where the service was held) and Santa Fe while we all traveled to the cemetery. I’ve never seen that before."
The cemetery confirmed more than 400 people turned up for the burial. Avila estimated there were even more at the church.
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