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Havasu Freedom Foundation schedules dedication to Navajo Code Talkers for June 8
Summary
A volunteer with the Havasu Freedom Foundation told the council the foundation will unveil bricks honoring World War II Marine Navajo Code Talkers at a June 8 ceremony at the Havasu Memorial Walkway; organizers expect out‑of‑area guests and have arranged lodging and speakers.
Tom Kirschner, a volunteer board member of the Havasu Freedom Foundation, used the May 28 City Council public‑comment period to announce a dedication ceremony for the Havasu Memorial Walkway.
Kirschner said the ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8, and will unveil special bricks honoring the original 29 Marine Navajo Code Talkers and other members of the approximately 400 Marines who served in that capacity during World War II. "Only 9 of the 400 are now still alive," Kirschner told the council.
He said the foundation, working with the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau and the local Marine Corps League, has invited surviving code talkers’ family members and arranged lodging for guests traveling from Arizona, New Mexico and other states. Two daughters of original code talkers, including an Arizona State University professor, are scheduled as guest speakers, he said.
Kirschner thanked several local groups for support, among them the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the London Bridge Rotary Club, the ASU History Department (which helped identify the "76 Moments of Freedom") and Lake Havasu High School (which coordinated a student contest tied to the project). He also thanked Mayor Cal Sheehy and said the mayor will speak at the event. "This event will be an historic day in Lake Havasu City and we encourage all of you to attend," Kirschner said.
Kirschner closed by encouraging residents to attend and by pointing listeners to the Havasu Memorial Walkway Facebook page for more information.
