LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State University's Veterans Day Weekend would not be complete unless the Navajo Code Talkers and Mescalero Apache Vietnam war veterans walked onto the field and did justice to the day's theme: "Salute to American Heroes."
"I'm having a good time," said Keith Little, Navajo World War II veteran Code Talker.
He represents what soldiers endured in WWII, he said. Being away from home and the fear a soldier endured were just some of the obstacles that he overcame in the 1940s. To be honored and recognized gives him a great sense of pride, he said.
He received a certificate of participation and appreciation from Conny Star and Ray Shush, both Vietnam veterans, and NMSU before walking out onto the field between the third and fourth quarters of New Mexico State's football game with Hawaii State University on Saturday.
Few World War II code talkers survive
The Aggies' commentator told fans and athletes that Little and Peter McDonald were two of six Navajo Code Talkers left from World War II and that Star, Shush and Gervase Peso were Mescalero Apache Vietnam veterans. Applause rang in the stadium as the decorated Natives marched out to the north field goal with American and Mescalero Apache flags at their flanks.
They received autographed footballs from NMSU representatives. With a smile and a chuckle, Little said he will give his football to a museum on the Navajo Reservation.
They were also honored with presents and a handshake from NMSU's Miss Native American, Naomi Begay. Begay, who is also Navajo, said the honor was mutual.
"This is a great honor," said Begay. "I'm showing them that I'm keeping tradition alive."
Donned in Navajo attire — purple velvet shirt and matching skirt — Begay cheered on the Aggies as Hawaii State beat them, 42-30.
A point of pride in culture and heritage
Begay said she notices that not many minorities are recognized for their courage in the military. Some minorities are ashamed of their culture and heritage, she said, and today was a good day for the Navajo Code Talkers to show themselves to hundreds of fans and also to those sitting at home watching the game on television.
"I feel good ... it's their day and I want to show that New Mexico State has Natives," Begay said.
As time has changed the value of a diploma and a certificate, students need to reach higher levels, Star said.
"As long as they're in school, they have to focus on their education," he said. As for the young men and women joining the military, "they need to take the advantages that are given to them."