East Valley Young Marines from Chandler and the Desert Young Marines from Glendale joined 150 fellow young marines and adult volunteers from across the country Aug. 14 in Window Rock to honor and learn from World War II heroes the Navajo Code Talkers, and their families.

The Navajo code talkers, selected by the U.S. Marine Corps, took part in every assault Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They transmitted messages by telephone and radio in their native language, a code that the Japanese never broke.

The Young Marines is a national youth organization for boys and girls from age 8 through high school graduation.

Every year on Aug. 14 the Navajo Nation celebrates these elite group of World War II veterans. To date, only three of these original 29 veterans remain.

Since 2006 (except during Covid), the Young Marines have traveled to Arizona each year to celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers and listen to their stories.

The East Valley and Desert Young Marines helped escort these veterans to various events. They planned and participated in a community service clean-up at the Navajo Nation Zoo.

The group also climbed the Navajo Code Talkers Monument in Window Rock. Young Marines marched in the Ruck March and the Young Marines held a 5K run to commemorate them.

“Year after year, our Young Marines report that meeting these World War II heroes has been a life-changing experience,” stated Col William P. Davis USMC (retired), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines.

For information on the East Valley Young Marines go to this page.

For more information on the Desert Young Marines go to this page.