Native veterans

Today is Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada – a day we honor our veterans for the sacrifices they’ve made in service to our countries.

I don’t know if it is true in Canada, but in the US, Natives have a high rate of military service – in fact, it is the highest of any minority group!

A few quick facts:

• Natives who served in the US forces during World War 1 weren’t even considered to be US citizens yet.
• The Navajo Code Talkers produced the only unbreakable code in modern military history.  They were instrumental in the success of every major engagement in the Pacific from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, and helped end the war.

As you think about the freedoms you enjoy, be sure to thank Native vets who, after having endured injustice in their own lives, have fought to preserve freedom and justice for us all.

For more information on the Navajo Code Talkers, and the effort to preserve their legacy, click here.