Political Quotes

“I pay tribute today to Joe Vandever, Sr., who was one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers. Joe was born February 5, 1923, into the Red Running Into the Water People clan, born for Two Who Came to the Water clan. He passed away 5 days shy of his 97th birthday, on January 31, 2020, in Haystack, NM. Joe enlisted in the Marines when he was 19. He went through boot camp at Camp Pendleton and spent 6 months of intensive training learning the code and how to operate communications equipment to become a Navajo Code Talker. Navajo Code Talkers transmitted key military information through a code based on the Navajo language that the Japanese never broke. They participated in every major Marine operation in the Pacific theater and gave the Marines a critical advantage throughout the war. However, when they returned, they couldn't talk about their work, which remained classified until 1968. In 2001, Navajo Code Talkers, including Joe, received the Congressional Silver Medal. Joe epitomized the bravery and skill of the Navajo Code Talkers. Joe's Navajo name means ``going places,'' and he certainly did during the war. Serving in the 6th Marine Division from 1943 to 1946, Joe was stationed on 16 battleships--serving from Samoa to Guadalcanal to Guam to Japan to China. Joe translated messages from Navajo to English and set up communications posts on the frontlines. Joe was a spiritual man, and he provided spiritual support for others in his Marine division.…”