Honor the legacy of Talker Kee Etsicitty and live courageously

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye reads the proclamation he issued that ordered flags across the to be flown at half-staff in honor of Navajo Code Talker Kee Etsicitty, who passed on July 21. He encouraged the audience to honor Etsicitty’s legacy by living courageously. (Photo by Rick Abasta)

GALLUP, N.M.—The bells at home last October. MacDonald, Alfred Neuman and and Navajo Nation Council Sacred Heart Cathedral Church A member of the 3rd Bill Toledo were in attendance. Delegates Seth Damon, Otto tolled on the morning of July 24 Marines, 7th , Etsicitty The honor guards from the Tso and Leonard Tsosie. to honor the life of Navajo Code saw combat in the Battles of U.S. Marine Corps and the Ira H. Talker Kee Etsicitty. Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Hayes American Legion Post 84 Faithful Catholic, honorable His body was transported Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima. from Sacaton, Ariz. were also on American to the church for the memorial hand to honor Etsicitty. According to Etsicitty’s son, services and escorted by the Paying respect to a hero A number of dignitaries Kurtis, his father was a devout members of the Navajo- Before he was laid to rest, came out to pay their respects, Catholic and said he wanted Honor Riders, the non-profit Etsicitty’s brothers came out including Navajo Nation his funeral services to be held organization that volunteered to honor him. Navajo Code President Russell Begaye, at Cathedral Church. His wish to repair the roof of Etsicitty’s Talkers Thomas H. Begay, Peter Sen. Carlyle Begay (D-Ariz.), was granted as hundreds filled the massive church located atop Creator,” he added. a hill in downtown Gallup. The world is now finally Before the services began, the learning of the secret that was U.S. Marines performed the flag protected all these years, he folding ceremony in front of the said, from the President of the church and presented the folded United States to Congress to flag to Kurtis. tribal nations and nations around Etsicitty was only 16 when the world. he enlisted, a responsibility he “Learn your language, hold it shouldered with the resolve sacred and protect it,” President to protect the Navajo Nation Begaye said. homeland from foreign invasion. He said the world was saved Kurtis said his father told from itself by the beautiful him his decision to enlist was to sound of our Navajo people, prevent (foreigners) from taking Dine’ bizaad. Live the legacy away Navajo heritage. of Kee Etsicitty and do things courageously, he said. Appreciation and respect “When the battle was raging, President Russell Begaye presents the Navajo Nation flag to Kurtis Etsicitty. President Begaye was given when the USS Arizona was at President Begaye thanked Etsicitty’s family and said Kee was a national hero that got the recognition of the world. (Photo by Rick Abasta) an opportunity to speak and the bottom of the Pacific in the began by thanking the U.S. Hawaiian Islands, when the Marines, the Honor Riders and Jews were being incinerated in the American Legion members Europe, Kee Etsicitty signed that were in attendance. up (for military service) and However, it was the Navajo shipped out courageously,” said Code Talkers in the audience President Begaye. that commanded his attention and respect. Navajo Nation flag “Chairman Peter MacDonald, “I present the flag of the Thomas H. Begay, Alfred Navajo Nation with the four Neuman and Bill Toledo, it is directions, the Four Sacred an honor and a privilege to have Mountains, the four cycles these Code Talkers in our midst,” of life. That’s why our flag is said President Begaye. always folded with corners Speaking in Navajo, he gave showing,” President Begaye appreciation to the children said. and grandchildren of Etsicitty He presented the flag and the and said the Navajo Nation signed proclamation to Kurtis Before the start of the memorial services, the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard was grateful for his courageous and the Etsicitty family. folded the American flag that was draped over Kee Etsicitty’s coffin and presented service, as evidenced by the The Navajo Nation is grateful it to his son, Kurtis. (Photo by Rick Abasta) proclamation that was issued for the courage and sacrifice Kee to have flags across the Nation Etsicitty displayed as a Navajo flown at half-staff. Code Talker. He read the proclamation in “Live the legacy of Kee its entirety. Etsicitty by not being afraid of the unknown. Don’t be afraid to Live courageously step out like he did and embrace “I can’t imagine being the the challenges,” President son or daughter of a Navajo Begaye said. Code Talker. To know that your father kept within himself -30- a guarded secret of the U.S. military,” President Begaye said. “These national heroes, like Kee Etsicitty, did not fight with guns and bullets and missiles. “(They fought with) something more powerful and These U.S. Marines stood proudly outside the church and awaited the services to sacred, the , begin. The Ira H. Hayes American legion Post 78 from Sacaton, Ariz. were also given to our people by the great in attendance. (Photo by Rick Abasta)