Code Talker event kicks off Marine Week Phoenix
Special to the Times Nick Wicksman During a moment of silence, Peter MacDonald and others removed their hats and watched the presenting of the colors during the national anthem, played by the Marine Corps band.
By Nick Wicksman
Special to the Times
Special to the Times Nick Wicksman
During a moment of silence, Peter MacDonald and others removed their hats and watched the presenting of the colors during the national anthem, played by the Marine Corps band.
PHOENIX
In a room filled with dozens of highly decorated U.S. Marine Officers and elected officials Tuesday night, one person stood out – Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald.
Special to the Times Nick Wicksman
During his speech, Peter MacDonald spoke about the memorization of nearly 600 code words, which had evolved to become the only modern-day military code never broken by the enemy, he said.
MacDonald was the guest of honor at a U.S. Marine Corps event in downtown Phoenix for part of the service’s “Marine Week,” an annual event aimed at bringing together Marines and the community.
But this event was not just about helping to kick-off “Marine Week.”
“The Code Talkers have always been honored in the Marine Corps,” said Arizona State Rep. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu. “And for them to honor that man is long overdue.”
“I represent the entirety of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II,” MacDonald said. “I wish everyone of those Navajo Marines were alive to enjoy what came so late for the Code Talkers.”
The 86-year-old Marine sat at the forward-most table at the event and was frequently approached by seemingly awestruck Marines asking questions, picking the brain of this “living history.”
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