Tuesday, August 02, 2011

CODE TALKERS


ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. Over time, others have joined in to help host this wonderful and informative meme. We are now in our NINTH round! Some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "C".

CUNNING and CLEVER CODE TALKER



I got to meet a hero the other day. A real, live Code Talker. I hope he's not offended by my calling him cunning and clever. He sure is sharp. His name is Kee Etsicitty. He was such a delight to talk to-he was down at Old Town doing a book signing for a Code Talkers book. His memory is better than mine. He told me some of his stories-he loves to talk and he is so friendly and gracious. He's been everywhere. Parades in New York City. Canada. All over the U.S. Not to mention all the places the war took him. More places than most of us will ever go in our lifetime.

His name, Kee, in Navajo (he says) means, 'boy'. His grandmother was so excited about his arrival that she repeatedly was saying 'Kee' when he was born.  His last name, 'Etsicitty' means, working with a hammer (silversmith) in Navajo. That was what his grandfather and family did.

Kee is 91 years old! What a hero and what a legacy. What a different outcome our future would have had had it not been for Kee and the other Code Talkers. In fact, the world as we know it would be quite different.


Thank you, Kee...

CANDLES


Why is it that having candles on the dining room table changes the ordinary to the magical? It does, doesn't it? A birthday cake without candles is just a cake. I wonder why wax with a cotton wick lit at one end makes the moment special and even romantic. Kind of amazing when you think about it.

19 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

We can learn so much from such people can't we? The world is a better place because of their actions.

Thanks so much
Denise ABC Team

Kay L. Davies said...

Wonderful for you to meet Kee, Paula. Even better for him to be healthy and talkative at 91.
I tried to watch the video but couldn't get it to open.
Thanks for telling us about this grand old man. He is a treasure.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Carver said...

What a great post about a fascinating courageous person.

Live2cherish said...

I believe the incandescence of the candle light inspires us for celebrating the so called ordinary day.

Kate said...

The code talkers were and still are great heros! I'm so pleased that you got to meet him and photograph him.

EG CameraGirl said...

How lucky you are to have met a Code Talker. For sure their code saved many lives!

Kathy said...

Having lived in Arizona for nearly 40 years near the Navajo Reservation, Code Talkers are near and dear to my heart. Thanks for showcasing them in your blog. There is a beautiful statue on the grounds of the Arizona State Capitol which features the names of all the Code Talkers who served our country.

Meryl said...

Fascinating post! I never heard of "Code Talkers" before! I love learning on these weekly visits. Thank you.

photowannabe said...

I would have loved to meet that gentleman and hear him talk in person. I'm greatful for the work they did to make our world a better place.

Jane and Chris said...

Yes indeed, thank you Kee, and all the other code talkers.
Jane x

Leslie: said...

Would he be like a "windtalker" like in the movie where Native Americans helped in WW2? Fascinating!

Leslie
abcw team

Roger Owen Green said...

There was some movie, with Nick Cage, re the code talker.


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Gigi Ann said...

Interesting story about Kee. and I love Candles, but with a Cat in the house I can no longer light them, just have them around looking pretty.

Shooting Parrots said...

I'd forgotten about the code talkers, so thanks for reminding me. That was one of the smartest tricks of the war.

Reader Wil said...

How amazing that he is still telling these stories at his age. Great tribute to this clever man!

Joy said...

Amazing looking at him that Kee is that age. Special people, wonderful that he is still keeping history alive.

Cheryl said...

I love the stories of the code talkers. They were such an important part of our country's history. You're right: things would have been very different if they hadn't been involved in the war. I treasure them and I'm thrilled to pieces you actually met Kee.

Nanka said...

The dancing shadows and a flickering flame of the candle is what makes it romantic I suppose!! :)

My C Post

Jess PJ said...

Code talkers were great guys, very important. Thanks for sharing that video.

My C Post: http://bit.ly/qRlO9s

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