Photo of the Week

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA – Since 1982, August 14 has been designated as National Navajo Code Talkers Day.

President Ronald Regan Proclaimed August 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers Day

The code talkers were used during World War II utilizing the Native languages of the Comanche and Navajo. These codes were never broken. The contributions made by code talkers during World War II were insurmountable and helped to save democracy.

Unfortunately, this amazing history is not part of the core curriculum in the American educational system.

Each year in Window Rock on the Navajo Indian Reservation, there is a parade to Veteran's Park and a program to recognize and honor Navajo Code Talkers.

“Our Navajo Code Talkers have inspired an entire generation. For decades boarding schools tried to silence our native tongue. But when we learned our Diné language defeated the Japanese, we rejoiced in happiness because we now had heroes who were our own. Our language is sacred and used by heroes,”

Navajo President Ben Shelly those present on Wednesday.

This week'Photo of the Week was supplied to the Native News Network by the Navajo Nation communications office. It shows President Shelly at the podium addressing the crowd in Window Rock. At the left are Navajo Code Talkers.

The photograph was chosen as the Photo of the Week because of the insurmountable contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers. It is an inspiration to all American Indians who are proud of the sacrifices these gallant warriors made to our nation

posted August 18, 2012 7:50 am edt