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Parade scheduled on national code talker dayBy Mari.ky Shebai a Navajo TimesWINDOW ROCK - The son of Navajo Code Talker Samuel J. Smith is asking everyone to help him honor the legendary warriorsMonday, Aug. 14.Smith, now 82, is one of an estimated 68 of the 320 code talkers still living.His son, Michael Smith, said his motives for having a Navajo Code Talker Day are simple.“I wanted to honor them,” Smith said. “This is something that Ithought about doing and 1 asked the Navajo Code Talkers Association about doing this for them.”He was also inspired after attending the Ira Hayes celebrationin Arizona earlier this year, in honor of the Pima Indian who helped raise the flag over Iwo Jima during World War II.“I couldn’t believe the amount of people there and the effort that goes into celebrating this man because they’re so proud of him,” Smith said. “That’s when I got the idea to start planning this for the code talkers.“When you look at their story you see how remarkable their job was that they did in WWII,” he said. “But then you look and see how not many people know about this story... their recognition is long overdue.”Smith said President Ronald Reagan declared Aug. 14. 1982, as Code Talkers Day. Theproclamation only covered that year but it constitutes a precedent, nevertheless.‘ When you look at their story you see how remarkable their job was that they did inWWII. ’Smith is being assisted by Brenda Moreno, an official with the National Young MarinesOrganization in Washington. D.C.Moreno is working to arrange a special appearance by the U.S.Marine Corps Band and a flyover during taps. Smith said.Smith said the Navajo Nation president’s office volunteered to arrange a parade. The route begins at the Navajo Nation Museum, goes past the post office to Navajo Route 12, and then north to the tribal administrative complex, ending at Veterans Memorial Park.The parade is expected to be the first to focus exclusively on the code talkers, and he encouraged the families and friends of code talkers to enter a float to carry their honored one.Smith noted that floats would be categorized according to theMarine division in which the code talker served. Code talkers were assigned to divisions 1 through 6.He said that once the parade arrives at the park, there will be other events, such as a welcome address by President Joe Shirley Jr. and Marine Col. James Cooney.Smith said Miss Navajo Nation Rachelle James has offered to perform the national anthem.The Intertribal Veterans Drum Group will host a gourd dance from 3 p.m. to dusk. Smith said.He invited other entertainers interested in being part of the eventto contact him at 928-871-6763.Information: Cora Maxx-Phillips, 928-871-6352, ornavajocodetalkerday @ hotmail.com.a r\i*rA i nrurrr
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Navajo Times
Window Rock, Arizona, US
Thu, Aug 10, 2006
Page 2
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NM, USA 09 Nov 2018
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