As we approach Memorial Day, Mary Beth Faller put up a nice article this morning on AZCentral about Navajo “Code Talker” (and US Marine) Teddy Draper. Faller quotes Draper describing the fighting on Iwo Jima in the Pacific.
You may recall an earlier ScottsdaleTrails article about Iwo Jima which referenced Paramarine and Gila River Pima Indian Community member Ira Hayes, who was one of those who raised the flag over Iwo’s Mount Suribachi.
To Draper, Hayes, my friends Charles Poston (in Scottsdale) and Ward Johnson (Payson) of the 1st Air Commando Group in Burma, and all who served and serve still:
Thank you for your service.
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