Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 27 By YM/SgtMaj Sophia M. Righthouse Miramar (CA) I attended National Navajo Code Talkers Day in Window Rock, Arizona. It the second time I was able to attend the event. It was a fantastic experience, and a lot of fun! It’s also an example of why I love being in the Young Marines. The program teaches us how to become the leaders of tomorrow. It teaches us honor, respect, and discipline. But it is the events, encampments, and trips that teach us so much more. Your participa- tion in the Young Marines program is your key to having new experiences, learning about responsibility, and meet- ing new friends, both in and out of the Young Marines. During this trip to Window Rock, I had the honor of making two new friends, Valentina Angulo (10 years old) and her sister, Olivianna Perkuhn (18 years old). They were at the event with their family honoring two of their ancestors, Willard Varnell Oliver and his brother, Lloyd Oli- ver. Lloyd Oliver was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers and his brother Willard Oliver also en- listed in the Marine Corps and became a Navajo Code Talker.Wil- lard Oliver served with the 2nd Marine Divi- sion and was wounded in action when a shell exploded near him. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. William Oliver fought in the battle of Oki- nawa and was with the first occupational force to arrive at Nagasaki, Japan after the United States dropped the atomic bomb. I got to knowValentina and Olivianna and I learned something very interesting. While we were raised far apart from each other and in differ- ent cultures, Valentina, Olivianna, and I have very much in common. Valentina and Olivianna’s ancestors have been in this country for many, many years and they are proud of them. My ances- tors have also been in this country for many years, as I am a Mayflower descedent. I, too, am proud of my ancestors. Valentina and Olivianna are proud of their family members for having served our great nation. Their mother, Loni, served in the Army,and of course the Oliver broth- ers were both Navajo Code Talkers serving in the Marine Corps during the Second World War. Like them, many of my ancestors have served in the armed forces of this great na- tion as well. One grandfather served in the Army during the Vietnam War, my other grandfather served in the Air Force, my great uncle served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, and I have had ancestors serve in many wars, including Korea,WWII,WWI, the Civil War, and the American Revolu- tion. I later learned that after he returned from the war, William Oliver worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. Coincidently, my great grandfather also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad.Later,Mr. Oli- ver became a law enforcement officer in Fort Defiance,AZ. Law enforcement runs in my family, too. Both of my parents are law enforcement officers. Another one of my passions is dance. I compete in tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet. Who else loves to dance? You guessed it, my new friends, Valentina and Olivianna. Both participate in tradi- tional Navajo tribal dance performances. I am so very happy to have met Olivian- na and Valentina. I love learning about others and sharing experienc- es with them. Both were so friendly and kind. As a Young Marine, you should take advantage of all that the program has to offer you. Step out of your comfort zone and sign up for a Young Marines trip or encampment. Sign up for a billet and gain some leadership ex- perience while you are there. Whether the trip is Battalion, Regimental, Divisional or National, I promise you, they will be some of the best experiences of your Young Marines career! You will meet new Young Marine friends, see your old Young Marine friends,and if you are very lucky, you may meet some friends like Valentina and Olivianna. National Navajo Code Talkers Day: A Young Marine Takes the Opportunity to Establish Friendships While we were raised far apart from each other and in different cultures, Valentina, Olivianna, and I have very much in common. Valentina Angullo and YM/ SgtMaj Sofia Righthouse standing before a banner honoring Valentina’s ancestor, Lloyd Oliver.