After the recent passing of 97 year old Navajo Code Talker, Fleming Begaye Sr., the Navajo Nation will be doing something special to honor the service and sacrifice of their veteran community.
This Memorial Day the Navajo Nation in Rock Point, Arizona will be hosting a Memorial Day Celebration to honor more than 74 veterans, multiple Purple Heart recipients, 2 Gold Star Moms and the last 2 remaining Navajo Code Talkers from World War II, Peter MacDonald and Thomas Begay!
This Navajo community is a small and humble group of Native Americans that live on reservation, so they have partnered with the Purple Heart Desert Thrift Shop in Mesa, Arizona to collect donations until May 24th. 100% of ALL cash donations in store or donations online will benefit the Navajo veterans and their Memorial Day Celebration!
The Navajo Code Talkers have a unique history and are an infamous group of veterans that were recruited by the United States Marine Corps to use their native Navajo language to help maintain communication secrecy during the World War II. After the Navajo Code was developed, the Marine Corps established a Code Talking School where over 400 Navajos (Dine) were recruited as Code Talkers throughout World War II. The Japanese were never able to break these codes, that is why the Navajo Code Talkers are legendary – after WWII they were credited with helping the United States secure the Allied victory in the Pacific.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered their heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye, Sr., who passed away on Friday at the age of 97 in Chinle, Arizona.
“The Navajo Nation has lost another brave and selfless Diné warrior, who sacrificed more than we’ll ever know to defend our country,” said President Nez. “We offer our heartfelt appreciation to the family for sharing his life with us. May the Creator bless you and your family with strength and comfort.”
Navajo Code Talker Begaye is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and born for Kinłichii’nii (Red House People Clan). He was born on Aug. 26, 1921 in the community of Red Valley, Arizona and resided in Chinle, Arizona at the time of his passing. Begaye served as a Navajo Code Talker in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 and fought in the Battle of Tarawa and the Battle of Tinian. He later spent one year in a naval hospital as a result of injuries and wounds he received during his service.
Following his military service, Begaye returned to the Navajo Nation where he owned and operated “Begaye’s Corner” trading post in the community of Chinle, where he also lived with his wife and three children.
“Code Talker Begaye was a warrior, a family man, and a businessman. In every aspect of his life, he was a loving person who cared greatly for his people. Today, I ask our Diné people to keep his spirit and his family in your prayers as we give thanks for his life and his legacy,” said Vice President Lizer.
Funeral services and arrangements for Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye, Sr. are pending.
You can help the Navajo Nation honor Mr. Begaye’s heroic comrades, the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers, Peter MacDonald and Thomas Begay, as well as recognize dozens of other distinguished Navajo veterans and their families living on the Navajo reservation in Arizona….
Make a donation to the Navajo Nation Memorial Day Celebration at Purple Heart Desert Thrift!
100% of your donation will benefit the Navajo veterans and your donation is 100% tax-deductible! Help us honor their service and sacrifice!