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Kadena observes American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
Throughout the month of November Kadena is honoring the contributions of the first Americans in conjunction with the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. 

In 1990, President George Bush designated November as the National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. Here at Kadena, the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month Committee has been working hard to spread awareness of the sacrifices that Native Americans have made throughout history. The committee is also trying to educate people about the original values, culture and religion that are part of the fabric of the nation's history and the American experience. 

The base held an event Nov. 14 which included guest speakers, a POW WOW, traditional dances, and a showing of the movie Wind Talkers, which chronicled the lives of Native American code talkers during World War II. The code talkers used their native language in the Pacific region to communicate on the front lines and ensure the enemy could not decipher Allied messages. 

In addition to the movie showing, Marine Chief Warrant Officer Gary Walker spoke about his grandfather, Samuel Tom Holiday, a runner with the Code Talkers during the war and one of only 20 surviving members of the celebrated group. 

"Roughly 400 Navajo Indians became code talkers by the end of the war," said Chief Warrant Officer Walker. "The code was used by every unit, every radio battalion, division within the South Pacific. They [the code talkers] were in every assault in the South Pacific that the Marine Corps participated in from 1942-45." 

The Code was so successful that it has been credited with saving the lives of countless American soldiers and the successful engagements of the U.S. in several major battles. At Iwo Jima, Major Howard Connor, 5th Marine Division signal officer, declared, "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima." Major Connor had six Navajo Code Talkers working around the clock during the first 48 hours of the battle. Those six sent and received over 800 messages, all without error. 

Navajos were an integral part of the war effort, not just as code talkers. It is estimated that more than 3,600 young Navajo men and women joined the armed forces and over 10,000 Navajos went to work in the military factories during World War II. That figure represents one of the highest percentages of total population in the armed service of any ethnic group in the United States. 

"It's important for people to be aware of Native American Heritage Month because it's dedicated to recognizing the first people of our land," said 2nd Lt. Daniel Taylor, chairman for the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month committee.
"Additionally, [people should recognize] the many American Indians who gave their lives in the military, served our country and contributed to make America what it is today." 

Here at Kadena, military members recognize and celebrate the dedicated service and contributions of American Indians, both past and present. Tech. Sgt. Thundercloud Hirajeta from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron is part Comanche Indian and a member of the Ponca Hethuska Warrior Society which performs traditional dances in support of his American Indian culture. He was one of the guest speakers at the event and made an impact on those who attended. 

"I can relate to the Native American Indian culture because I grew up knowing my background and my heritage which is in my bloodline," said Tech. Sgt. Lanora Waldron, 18th Communications Squadron project manager. "So it was awesome to see that connection from the POW WOW dance to my own family which I am a part of." 

It was interesting to see a live demonstration of his heritage and talk about some of the things he finds valuable about that heritage for us who are a less knowledgeable about the subject, said Senior Airman Brian Layton, 353rd Maintenance Squadron electrician environmental systems journeyman. 

2nd Lt. Yara Khalil, co-chairman for the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month committee said, "It's amazing to be able to really wrap your mind around how strong a culture this is and how much they have contributed and will continue to contribute to our society." 

The Committee will host several other events in honor of American Indian and Native Alaskan Heritage Month. There will be a Chili cook off in conjunction with an American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Medal of Honor exhibit on Nov. 21 at the Navy P-3 hangar and a door decoration contest Nov. 25-26 at Bob Hope Elementary School. 

For more information about upcoming events, contact Lieutenant Taylor at 634-7996 or Lieutenant Khalil at 634-5019.