A request for Sen. McCain re: Navajo Codetalker

I read the following article in the San Antonio paper today & felt compelled to write Sen. McCain. While the article starts off talking about the attorney, the heart of the article is about a Navajo Codetalker & his 60 year struggle for recognition & benefits.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/stories/MYSA053104.1P.codetalker.10f95deaf.html

"George Parker was slowing down from a long career of representing the big guys.

(snip)

But on a hot day in southwestern Colorado in June 2002, Parker heard a story that struck him so deeply he decided to dive into an entirely new area of complicated law — for no pay.

It was the story of Teddy Draper Sr., one of the legendary Navajo code talkers from World War II."

I cannot believe that after all this time & struggle, Mr. Draper received his well-deserved Purple Heart in the mail. :grr: :grr:

He deserves to have it awarded to him in some sort of ceremony. I have sent off an email to Sen. McCain asking that he consider doing so. If you feel the same, please consider emailing Sen. McCain. His webpage is http://mccain.senate.gov/

DG

... sometimes comes to the Powhatan Pow Wow in Rancocus, New Jersey. When the film Windtalkers was coming out in 2002, he spoke at the Pow Wow about his experiences as a Code Talker. When he finished, everyone stood up to acknowledge his courage. Even as I type, I'm getting a lump in my throat.

Each Code Talker had a partner whose job was to protect the code. That meant that his partner watched out for him, but also that if the Code Talker was going to be captured, his partner had to kill him to prevent him being tortured and maybe forced to reveal the code. Yet still, these brave Navajo men did their job.

One thing he mentioned was that none of the Code Talkers were paid extra... what is it, "hazardous duty pay" or "combat pay"? Many returned to their reservations and lived in reservation poverty the rest of their lives.

Mr. Draper is a charming gentleman... only about five feet tall. He does have a medal, which he shows off proudly, and he poses for photos. I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable about medals to remember what sort of medal that was that he had, but it was gold and pretty large.

Anyhow, I'd be glad to write a letter. I did write once, a while ago, asking that all the Code Talkers or their surviving families receive the extra pay, but got the run-around from the military. Would you mind posting the specifics about Mr. Draper on the message board? Just in case some people don't feel like registering? I think it's important that people know the story.

BTW, his son, Teddy Draper, Jr., is at the Pow Wow twice a year in New Jersey. He is a painter and a silversmith... and likes to chat with people who stop by his booth.

Dear Senator McCain, Although I am not a constituent, I feel compelled to write to you on behalf of one, Terry Draper, Sr., who served our country during World War II as a Codetalker. I read in the San Antonio paper today of his struggle to get veteran's benefits and a Purple Heart for his service during that time. Mr. Draper was at Iwo Jima and lost much of his hearing when he was wounded in a mortar shell blast. Yet still he carried on, only to come home and have to fight alone for almost 60 years to get benefits & recognition for his service, while suffering from nightmares & struggling with his hearing loss. Thanks to a San Antonio attorney, he has now received that recognition, including the Purple Heart. However, the medal came to him in the mail. That does not sit right with me.

Sir, I had two uncles who served in the Pacific during World War II, one on whom was awarded the Purple Heart. It is quite likely that the work of Mr. Draper and the other code talkers helped save their lives as well as the lives of many other Americans. I feel that because of his service & the length of time it took to get the government to recognize his service, Mr. Draper deserves to have his Purple Heart awarded to him just as it was awarded to my uncle. It is my understanding that Mr. Draper's children are hoping that you would formally present the award to him. I ask that you consider doing so. I realize that you are extremely busy, but I hope you can assist Mr. Draper in this matter.

Sincerely,

me

since it's possible that any such ceremony may draw attention to his shameful treatment of the Navajos at Black Mesa, which he would not want.

You may be better off to send a letter to Jon Kyl (our other Senator)
http://kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

or even better Governor Janet Napolitano
http://www.governor.state.az.us/

or even the Navajo Nation itself.
http://www.navajo.org/

or the President of the Navajo Nation
http://www.opvp.navajo.org/news.html

it's worth a shot. i also sent out an email to my friends & family. who knows? maybe other people who read the paper today are doing the same.

dg