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This Sunday, I was honored to meet Chester Nez, the last surviving World War II Navajo Code Talker. If it hadn't been for the service of this man and his late comrades, I might never have even met my Great-uncle Joe Lindstrom, who enlisted at the age of 17 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and fought in the Pacific theatre for the entire duration of the war.
--Val
Hi Val,
That is awesome Val! I have always found the code talkers and their story very intriguing. They are truly some of the unsung heroes of the war. I have always loved reading about our American Indians and their history. That is great you were able to meet your Great-Uncle and I thank him for his service to our country along with all other veterans.
On a side note, does Mr. Nez have long hair? I can't really tell in the photo. Just curious:) Great week to you and yours my friend!
Ted
Hi Ted,
Alas, at the ripe old age of 92, Marine Corporal Nez (ret.) seems to have maintained the short-cropped hairstyle of his youth... though that does nothing to detract from the quiet power that emanates from this humble warrior.
I was blessed to have grown up knowing my late great-uncle ("Uncle Joe," to me), and have many wonderful memories of fishing with him, watching him tinker on old boat motors, getting in his way during many of his carpentry projects, etc. There is a good chance that, had it not been for the service of the Navajo Code Talkers, he never would have made it back home.
Have a great week too, my friend!
--Val
Hi Val,
Nevertheless, Mr. Nez looks wonderful for his ripe old age! May he have many more! And you are correct that it doesn't detract from his quiet power. Next time you see him please tell him I thank him for his enormous service to our country.
I am sure you treasure your many fond memories of your Great-Uncle. It's so neat to think back and remember those times. I am so glad you were able to spend those times with him. Take care my friend!
Ted
My daughter's Ojibwe dance troupe (pictured here, along with the drummers... my daughter is on the far right) performed a hoop dance in Mr. Nez's honor. It was a very powerful experience. It was especially touching to see the effect it had on some of the other old veterans in attendance, one of whom thanked them afterwards, with tears streaming down his face.
--Val
Hi Val,
wow what an incredible progress you have so far. It's interesting to learn about your culture and the other tribes you have mentioned so far, as my thesis involves studying the genealogy of tribal sovereignty in comparison to different indigenous people around the world. Thanks for sharing this.
best,
rowie
Thank you, Rowie. Although many people assume that I'm Native (based on my complexion and professional circumstances), as far as I know, I don't have any American Indian blood. It's likely that my wife has some, based on her family history, but that's not definitively confirmed either (I'd be interested in genetic testing someday). However, my entire immediate family has been "adopted" in the Native way by local tribal members, and we have deeply appreciated sharing in the beautiful culture of the people here.
You might be interested to learn that our local tribal sovereignty may very well be put to the test soon, as a huge outside mining interest is lobbying to create the world's largest open pit iron mine here, which would devastate the environment, fishing industry, wild rice beds, and our watershed (including Lake Superior). The tribe's status as a sovereign nation may be the only thing that can stop the mine from becoming a reality. Many local people have vowed to literally put their bodies and lives on the line to stop the mine from happening, and our tribal elders have openly declared war on any mining company that attempts to harm the land and water here. One option the tribe has is to close its borders, including all roads and highways that run through tribal lands. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
--Val
I have a chill up my spine....what an incredible piece of history you have captured.
Thank You so much for Sharing !!
Walter
I hear ya, Walter. It was difficult to say everything I needed to without crying. There was a lot of "voltage" just being in this man's presence.
--Val
Hi Val
What a great honor it was indeed for you to have met Chester Nez. And of this photo? For all you know it very well may be included in a history book yet. Thank you so much for sharing this event with all of us. Have a great week Val.
Justin~
Thanks, Justin. It was quite an honor to meet him. And who knows... maybe if they airbrush that hairy caveman-looking guy out of the photo, it could make it into a history book after all!
Have a good week, too!
--Val
And if it wasn't for him, and all those brave souls who faught in World War 2 we might well be having this conversation
in German right now.
And/or Japanese. The Navajo speakers were primarily involved on in the Pacific theatre during WWII, whereas the code talkers on the European front were Comanche, with the Meskwaki code talkers in North Africa.
--Val
Hi Val,
Both you and Chester Nez look great in this picture.Very cool to learn there are still some WW2 war vets still alive at this time in history.My own dad enlisted for the war effort and fought in Germany which was a difficult time for him.Sadly he is long gone now but I still have his Army duffle bag up in the attic which contains his uniforms.Kinda sad that today's vets don't seem to be as well received as those from the second world war.Times change I guess.Cheers my friend.
Mârk
I guess it depends on why the war took place. Not fair on the veterans, but there it is.
Thanks, Mark... yeah, this picture did provide some surprising encouragement, regarding how quickly my hair seems to be growing! Much respect to your late father for his service during WWII. I think a lot of the disparity between the esteem of WWII vets and veterans of later wars is due to, as Elektros said, the nature of the wars, themselves. To me, in regards to the Viet Nam conflict, this is unjustified, as the draft was still in place, and a huge number of the men who fought there weren't there by choice. Following Nam, every military conflict in which our country has been involved has been waged by men who voluntarily enlisted, and it can be argued that none of these conflicts--nor the pain, suffering, and loss of life--can be justified in terms of "defending our country/freedoms/etc." In my opinion, since WWII, our country has been embarking on a campaign of profit-driven military imperialism. Although I fully respect the courage and good intentions of many of today's soldiers, I cannot respect the reasons for which they are being sent all over the globe, to kill and to die. I say BRING 'EM HOME, so they can defend what remains of our disappearing freedoms here.
Just my 2-cent's worth, with all due respect to those who may disagree.
--Val
That's quite cool, Val. If you ever get the chance to see him again, please pass along a salute for me.
Thank you, Frodo. I doubt I'll ever get a chance to meet him again, but you can rest assured that everywhere he goes, Chester Nez is met with a great deal of respect, adulation, and thanks. All is One... send your grateful vibes out into the Everything, and he'll get them.
--Val
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This great and honorable man is a piece of living history. If it were not for the code talkers, victory may have not happened or would have been delayed, costing many more lives.
Scott
Agreed. Our world is becoming poorer for the loss of that generation, as old age continues to claim the last of them
--Val
They are truly the generation that saved the free world. Very few WW2 vets survive today.
Scott
WOW, as Walter White Tail said, this sends chills up my spine -- what an honor to meet this man!! I remember reading and hearing about the Navajo code talkers; but I had never seen a photo of one of these great men until you sharing this pic here.
My dad was in the Navy during WW2, sent over to the Pacific (mostly in New Guinea and also in the Philipines).
Thanks so much for sharing these great pics with us -- I also enjoyed reading and seeing your daughter's dance troupe pic!
And on a completely different topic...
Belated congrats on your new promotion!!!!
(Sorry I'm a bit behind in my MLHH lurking - LOL!)
Thanks, Ken!
We all owe your dad and his comrades our gratitude for his service in WWII.
As you know, unfortunately, the social norms of the time--coupled with military indoctrination--often led to an intolerance of long hair on men, but still... I offer my thanks and respect where it's due!
Happy Wednesday, my friend :)
--Val