We're watching "Windtalkers" here in the shop today.

[Hobie]

Watch a different movie all day every Saturday (yep, over and over). Adam Beach is a good actor, don't like Nicholas Cage so much.

The whole progam, code talking, was interesting with the usual backstabbing self-aggrandizing that goes on in military/government programs such as this exclusive of the actual code talkers. However, there is a Navajo Code Talker organization.

My oldest daughter was out in Sante Fe last year and got me a copy of this book signed by several of the veterans. What a treat...

[mescalero1]

I have talked to a couple of these guys in person.
I was humbled by thier quiet simplicity.

[Charles]

I went to the web site and saw there were only three. Time is starting to thin these old boys out. I lived in Farmington New Mexico from 86 to 90 and at that time there were several dozen of them. They had their own Gourd Dance Society and danced Pow Wows over the area.

A Gourd Dance society is really a social or faternal type club that does most things these types of groups do. But at Pow Wows they dance as a group, with the various groups taking their turns. It really shouldn't be called dancing as it is just a toe-toe-heal shuffle around in a circle, while the women stand behind and do up and down on their toes in place.

At one large Pow Wow in Farmington I was asked to bless the drum which is how these things start. I blessed it for the Christians and a Native American shaman blessed it also. The organizers asked he what they could do to return the favor and I asked if I could dance with the Code Talkers. There was some conversation back and forth and I received the invitation and wore a shawl with the Code Talker emblem on it. One of the high lights of my life.

I guess one day soon, we will learn the last of these old boys have gone on. Pity!

[Charles]

"I have talked to a couple of these guys in person.
I was humbled by thier quiet simplicity."

Navajo people talk very little. They don't engage is chit chat or talk that doesn't have a purpose. White people really irritate them with all our talk and conversation. They mostly avoid us for this reason.

You will find a few Navajo that are "chatty", but for sure and for certain, they are in positions where they must interface with the white world and have learned the white man's way.

You can sit down and have a beer with a tradition Navajo, as they like to drink beer. The affair will begin with "Ya-Teh" and a handshake followed by long periods of silence. If they have something to say to you, they will say it, but it won't be "Hows the weather?" or "How many sheep do you own". It is best for white people to shut up and let the Navajo talk or not talk. When the beer drinking is over there will be another handshak and Ya-Teh and everybody goes their way.

They are very hard people to get to know. Most harbor a deep seated dislike and distrust of white people. Can't say as how I blame them on that point. Oh yea..Watch out for a drunk Navajo, there is no telling what they will do.

[mescalero1]

The girl (lady) who gave me the hand painted feather, one of her relations ( can't remember which ) him and his friend came by.
Like Charles said, conversation is sparse.

[Malamute]

I knew some folks down on the rez in Az. Most that I knew were Christian. They semed to like me for some reason. I tried learning Navajo, they like to laugh at belagonas that try to say navajo words, especially tsith and lnee (where are the slash letter keys on the keyboard?). They were trying to marry me off to the single ladies around, their sisters, cousins, aunts,....was good days. They were pretty proud of the code talkers.

Once I asked a guy I knew that did silver work about his hat band, he took it off his hat and gave it to me. I like it a lot.

They looked funny at my dog. Looks like ma ii' tso.

[morgan in nm]

The tribal elder in the movie came down to the local university to give a talk about his memories of the war. He ended up talking more on the way he seen the world which I thought was absolutely fascinating. Of all the people he came up to to visit with, it was my dad. I think he was one of the greatest individuals I have ever talked to. He was telling us that when he came back from the war, his tribal elders asked him what he seen. He started to explain it all and they stopped him and said those things you've seen are for you alone. "Remember, America is your nation too and the death you witnessed are your scars." I still remember it as clear as the day I heard it. I heard he had passed recently but I don't know.

BTW, I was ashamed to ask for his autograph for some reason and I don't remember him giving any.

[Ysabel Kid]

Some of the many Native Americans that have served with great distinction throughout America's history. We owe them as we do all others who have honored our country in uniform.

[C. Cash]

Some of the many Native Americans that have served with great distinction throughout America's history. We owe them as we do all others who have honored our country in uniform.

Amen...these folks are a National Treasure.
As a sidenote: drove through the Navajo reservation this past November..before the election. Without getting too political, I will just say that just about all I saw was pro-2nd ammendment/pro-individual freedom sentiments expressed. It was at that point that I realized that the Navajo BS detector was much more finely tuned than that of the majority of Americans, and was probably developed over many years of dealing with these scoundrels.

[mescalero1]

Chris,
These guys are phenomenal, they can spot a phony from miles away.
There is a feeling of peace, that just comes from being in thier presence.

[mescalero1]

malumute,
I lost a pistol that way.

[kimwcook]

You guys talking about "trading" things reminds me of the movie "Thunderheart" with Val Kilmer. Loved that movie. Grandpa just killed me.

[Malamute]

How did you lose a pistol?

A lady wanted to give me a blanket she was weaving for fixing her transmission. I asked how much the blanket was worth, she said something like $1500. The trans work I valued at maybe a couple hundred dollars including parts. I told her no, keep the blanket, it's too much.


I would advise against admitting you know how to butcher a cow. Unless you really enjoy doing it.

[Hobie]

I got 9 autographs on my book. I guess the daughter charmed them some. She said they talked for quite a while! They were "chatty" with her!!!

The daughter...

[Malamute]

Hobie, are you sure that's your daughter? She's much better looking,...and has hair.


So, is she coming with you next time you come to Wyoming?

[Buffboy]

It is somewhat less known but there was a contingent of Sioux code talkers as well. It was smaller than the Navajo group but they saw action too.

They have still seen almost no recognition and I believe that all that served are all deceased now.

[gunslinger598]

There were also Choctaw code talkers.

Probably others we aren't aware of also.

[El Chivo]

I liked that movie a lot. I'm curious to know if any of the real codetalkers were captured/tortured by the Japs.

Hey Hobie I just ordered "The Winter War", looking forward to seeing that.

[Hobie]

Hobie, are you sure that's your daughter? She's much better looking,...and has hair.

So, is she coming with you next time you come to Wyoming?

She might. All my kids are better looking than me.

[Hobie]

I liked that movie a lot. I'm curious to know if any of the real codetalkers were captured/tortured by the Japs.

Hey Hobie I just ordered "The Winter War", looking forward to seeing that.

Yes other tribes used as well but the Navajos caught the writers' eye, so to speak. I read that a NON-codetalker was captured and they tried to get him to help them understand but he was of no help despite a modicum of cooperation (tortured or not). They never broke the code.

"The Winter War" is a tolerable to watch but fairly stark depiction of the war. People will stop and watch the whole thing when they come in the shop. Many can't tear themselves away from it and it is sub-titled. I think you'll like it.