Warriors reunite

Gathering of Nations is honor ground for veterans

ALBUQUERQUE

Walking by the huge video screen that projects the grand entry outside the WisePies arena Saturday night, Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay stands out amongst the thousands of dancers who overflow the floor of the arena, formerly known as the Pit.

He’s in full military dress with a Congressional medal of honor around his neck. The medal signifies the extraordinary service he provided during World War II relaying and communicating in a code based on the Navajo language.

After the Grand Entry, Begay stands with other veterans as they are acknowledged for their military service by people attending the event.

At 90 years of age, he said that he attends the Gathering every year to keep the contributions of Native American veterans in the public eye.

“No matter what, (even if it’s) snowing. Whatever it is, I come here. I like to see all the warriors come together at this place. They come from all over the U.S., Canada and Alaska,” he said.

When someone stops to talk to him, they get an immediate slice of history on how Navajo Code Talkers made the difference during World War II.

“We made history,” he said referring to the 5th Marine division that included six Navajo Code Talkers who were part of the same mission as Ira Hayes, the well-known Pima Marine who helped raise the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima.

Begay recalled how he and the other Code Talkers relayed hundreds of messages in the Navajo language during the battle before the flag was raised.
“With no mistakes,” he said.

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