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Military Heroes Month: A Reverence that Will Not Be Forgotten

wbartels
Adventurer C

“We want America to remember us forever,” said Bill Toledo, an original Navajo Code Talker. Mr. Toledo expressed concern that our country might one day forget the sacrifices of those who fought in World War II. After meeting eight of the original Navajo Code Talkers last week, I am certain their stories of service and honor will be remembered forever. 

The Navajo Code Talkers were an elite group of communicators who developed a secret, tactical code based on their native language. In the beginning of World War II, Japanese intelligence deciphered our communication, including important commands and top-secret information, due to their knowledge of the English language. Consequently, the well-being of our troops and our strategies for success were at risk. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in late 1941, the Navajo Code Talkers were formed, creating a code that remains unbreakable still today and instigating a pivotal turning point towards America’s success in World War II.

Navajo Code Talkers

This past Friday, Southwest had the honor of welcoming onboard some of the original Code Talkers as they traveled from Albuquerque to New York City on their way to the Veteran’s Day Parade.  As part of Military Heroes Month, we took a moment to honor these heroes for their service and share the Code Talkers’ stories with our Customers. Mr. Toledo even taught passengers to say “Good Morning” in Navajo.

My grandfather served in World War II, and I grew up with his stories of sacrifice and freedom. Like Mr. Toledo, I too have wondered if we will forget the sacrifices of our “greatest generation” as their numbers become fewer.

After the Code Talkers preboarded their flight, I watched as nearly each Customer stopped to shake their hands, and thank them for their service. As I witnessed men and women of all ages expressing their gratitude to these heroes, I realized that we will always hold a reverence and respect for those who fought for our freedom- a reverence, Mr. Toledo,  that will not be forgotten.

Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and we are proud of all those who serve, especially the nearly 5,800 Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans who are part of the Southwest Family.  In celebration of Military Heroes Month in November, you’ll hear about and read blogs about service, how we honor the military, the sacrifice these heroes make, and how we celebrate the brave who fight for our Freedoms. Who’s your hero?  How do you appreciate the military?  Share your story by commenting below.

2 Comments
puttie-williams
Explorer C
God bless all our Code Talkers! They are what America is all about. We will never forget them. Thank you for helping them get to NYC. My husband is a Veteran, proudly serving 22 1/2 years in the United States Coast Guard! Semper Paratus!
tuttu8j8k8b61
Explorer C
good morning from the top of the world here at Barrow, Alaska, as a past president of the North Slope Students of Chemawa Indian School , Chemawa, Oregon. seven miles north of Salem, Oregon. i would like to take the opputunuity to say we are very Honored to express our sincerce thanks and appreication to one of our Teachers, Albert Smith, he taught at Chemawa Indian School for many years, we had the pleasure of hearing his stories as he expressed them during our school years there at Chemawa, Oregon. he was one of the Code Talkers during the South Pacific theater during WWii.. and we Salute and honor him for his services to our Country, the blessing of our freedom is blessed by these men who served bravely. also would like to express our thanks to the Radio operators in the European theater during WWii, thank you Inupiaq Radio operators for being their for all of us who enjoy the freedom that we are blessed with. Lazrus, was one of our Inupiaq Radio Operators and when he retired after 33 years or so later he came home and had some rweal down to earth stories , thank you Lazrus and al the radio boys that worked with you.