Begaye-Nez pledge support for Navajo veterans museum

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Jun 2, 2016 | News |

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
PJ “Gunny” James from Gallup, stands at attention with the Navajo Code Talker flag during a refolding of the flag ceremony in Gallup on Memorial Day.

WINDOW ROCK

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Gold Star mother Isabele Shondee from Ganado speaks about her dream of opening a veterans memorial building in her hometown while visiting the Navajo Nation Veterans Park to help commemorate her son Harry N. Spondee Jr.’s ultimate sacrifice. Shondee was killed on Aug. 3, 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq.

U.S. Army veteran Olin Kieyoomia stood by saluting Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez as they laid a wreath at the names of all the fallen soldiers at the Window Rock Veteran’sMemorial Park on Memorial Day.

After Nez and Begaye set their wreath down, second lady Phefelia Nez accompanied Gold Star Mother Isabelle Shondee, who lost her son Army Specialist Harry Shondee on Aug. 3, 2004 while he was on active duty in Iraq, to lay the second wreath down. Shondee was 19 years old.

“Some presidents have done this and (others) haven’t done this,” said Kieyoomia about Begaye-Nez giving recognition to the fallen soldiers.

Veterans is one of four pillars of the Begaye-Nez administration and their issues are taking on an important role.

Only recently, the Navajo Veterans Act was signed into law, as well as bringing on board a veteran’s liaison to enhance better communication between the veterans and executive branch. During his speech, Begaye said he wants to see that a veterans museum is built within the Navajo Nation.

“As we move forward, we look forward to constructing a museum that will really tell the story of our soldiers who have served out there in foreign wars,” said Begaye. “They will never be forgotten. They will always be remembered.”