Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier was a guest speaker in Phoenix recently for a special event that honored the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers. 

Navajo Code Talker Thomas Begay was in attendance for the Navajo Code Talkers Day event, held on August 14 outside the Arizona Capitol next to the Navajo Code Talkers Monument. Begay and former Navajo Nation Chairman Peter MacDonald are the last living Navajo Code Talkers.

“I’m grateful on this beautiful day of freedom to stand here with all of you to acknowledge a special group of warriors who stepped up to protect our homeland, the Diné, the People,” Harvier said. “These warriors had heart and courage. They were fighting for all Natives … and the privileged democracy [of] the United States of America, its lands and citizens. It is my humble honor and privilege to recognize the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II and recognize the symbolic memorial to honor their contributions.”

Harvier was among those to pay tribute to the code talkers with his words and share some of the history that explained how the code talkers were “the backbone of World War II” and how the Navajo language was “the unbreakable code that saved America.”

The gathering was hosted by the Phoenix Indian Center and featured a number of speakers, including Jason Chavez, director of tribal affairs in the office of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, and descendants of code talkers. Around 100 people attended the public ceremony.

Chavez introduced Begay, who received a standing ovation. Begay, who is approaching 100 years old, fought in two wars. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 only to join the U.S. Army and fight in the Korean War in 1950. He was again honorably discharged in 1953 and received numerous medals for his tours of duty.

SRPMIC veteran Al Charlie, U.S. Army, participated in the posting of the colors and brought in the SRPMIC flag. Army veteran Broderick Antone and Marine veteran Meldon Andrews, both SRPMIC members, were also in attendance, along with staff of the Salt River Veterans Representative Office. 

The Navajo Code Talkers are the most well-known Native code talkers, with books and movies produced in their honor. At least a dozen other tribal nations used their Native languages to help the United States win World War II.