A Tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers

Have you heard about the Navajo Code Talkers?



These wonderful young men from the Navajo Nation were serving in the US Marine Corp during WWII when they were able to devise an ingenious code using words and the alphabet of their native language.  They served bravely in every major engagement in the Pacific where their unbreakable code saved countless lives and, according to military commanders, undoubtably hastened the end of the war.

Made by Donna, Wilton, CA

Made by the Contra Costa Quilt Guild

A Valley Springs, CA group awarded 20 Quilts of Valor, including the above, to the surviving members of the Navajo Code Talkers in Oct, 2010.   Often called “silent heroes”, the Code Talkers efforts went unrecognized for decades as their exploits were kept secret in case this unique code was needed again.  The Navajo Code was finally declassified in 1968 and these true heroes could be publicly recognized and receive awards and accolades long overdue.

This beautiful quilt was created by Johnny and Flo Brooks of Stockton, CA, and quilted by Gail Belmont, of Valley Springs, CA.

Flo had learned of Quilts of Valor awarding quilts to the Navajo Code Talkers.  Her quilt includes symbols and traditions important to the Navajo People; including the circle of life with four cardinal directions, the Tree of Life and four colors – red, white, yellow and black.  Her quilt now hangs in the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, AZ.

To learn more about Johnny and Flo’s story, read this entry on the Quilts of Valor Blog.  Be sure to click on the link to the Additional Photos of Quilts on that same blog site for some more fabulous photos of the quilts awarded to the Navajo Code Talkers.

Learn more at this site:

http://quiltsofhonor.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/navajo-code-talkers-monument/