Opinion:: All Code Talkers deserve recognition

Monday, March 19, 2007  

"I am the nephew of the last living Hopi Code Talker, Travis Yaiva.

On March 5, the Arizona Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 1010 urging Congress to establish a new postage stamp honoring three groups of veterans who fought bravely for our country: The Tuskegee Airmen, the Japanese American soldiers and the Navajo Code Talkers.

In a quest to honor those who have not been adequately recognized for their honor and bravery, this proposed legislation has one dishonorable flaw: It excludes the other 16 Native American tribes who sent men to serve as Code Talkers in World War I and World War II, including the Hopi Tribe from Arizona.

On behalf of the Hopi Tribe and in honor of the other tribes who sent men to be Code Talkers during two world wars, we urge the Arizona House of Representatives to turn down this factually incorrect proposal.

It seems like a small thing - to create a new postage stamp. However, such an act flies in the face of our country's history and is demeaning to the many brave Indian men who served in this capacity.

The solution to this problem is very simple: The Arizona Legislature should send a historically correct message to Congress: Honor all of the Native American Code Talkers."

Get the Story:
Phillip R. Quochytewa III: Honor Code Talkers by including all tribes (The Arizona Republic 3/17)

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