Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, Iwo Jima: the Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language -- a code that the Japanese never broke.
The idea to use Navajo for secure communications came from Philip Johnston, the son of a missionary to the Navajos and one of the few non-Navajos who spoke their language fluently. Johnston, reared on the Navajo reservation, was a World War I veteran who knew of the military's search for a code that would withstand all attempts to decipher it. He also knew that Native American languages--notably Choctaw--had been used in World War I to encode messages.
Johnston believed Navajo answered the military requirement for an undecipherable code because Navajo is an unwritten language of extreme complexity. Its syntax and tonal qualities, not to mention dialects, make it unintelligible to anyone without extensive exposure and training. It has no alphabet or symbols, and is spoken only on the Navajo lands of the American Southwest. One estimate indicates that less than 30 non-Navajos, none of them Japanese, could understand the language at the outbreak of World War II........http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm
and American Indian Medal of Honor Winners:
In the 20th century, five American Indians have been among those soldiers to be distinguished by receiving the United States' highest military honor: the Medal of Honor. Given for military heroism "above and beyond the call of duty," these warriors exhibited extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy and, in two cases, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Jack C. Montgomery. A Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On 22 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces, when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the process. As a result of his courage, Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the Axis troops.
Ernest Childers. A Creek from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division. Childers received the Medal of Honor for heroic action in 1943 when, up against machine gun fire, he and eight men charged the enemy. Although suffering a broken foot in the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up the hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests, and capturing an enemy mortar observer.....http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-3.htm
Indian Legends and Victorian Bath Houses: The History of Eureka Springs
Today the Arkansas resort town of Eureka Springs is a quaint, faux-Victorian tourist trap with an abundance of Bible-themed attractions. But the knickknack shops and family-friendly dinner theaters are really a natural outgrowth of a long history as a “vacation” destination reaching back to the Native Americans.
Eureka Springs has, unsurprisingly, several naturally occurring, mineral-rich springs, which have long been thought to be possessed of healing powers. In 1856 European settler called Dr. Alvah Jackson took the Indian legends at their word at used some of the water from Eureka’s springs to “treat” an unspecified eye ailment suffered by his son. The ailment healed and his son’s recovery was duly attributed to the spring-water. This led to the founding of Dr. Jackson’s Cave Hospital, where many young men were “treated” with Eureka’s spring water during the American Civil War, and the subsequent Dr. Jackson’s Eye Water business post-bellum.
In 1879 Judge J.B. Saunders, a friend of Dr. Jackson’s, visited the Basin Spring in Eureka, where he was allegedly cured of some type of degenerative ailment. Thrilled by the upturn in his failing health, the influential judge began promoting Eureka Springs nationwide. Before the end of the year the town of Eureka Springs was home to 10,000 people, and by 1881 it was the 4th largest city in Arkansas.
Eureka Springs soon became famous for its luxuriant Bath Houses. In 1889 The Basin Spring Bath House was built on Main Street; it was 4 stories high, with a bridge to the upper 2 stories arching over the street and providing housing for the water pipes. The 1901 Palace Hotel’s baths used water from the Harding Spring, and featured an electric elevator, electric lights and steam-heating in every room, making it the turn of the century equivalent of a 5 star hotel. At these and other Bath Houses visitors could slip out of their union suits for a hot or cold or shower, a massage or various kinds of baths: hot air, electric, medicated, radiant, vapor and more. The Palace and the Basin house are still standing today.
As the 20th century began to get its big, bloody, iron wheels turning up to speed, interest in mysticism began to wane, and this included the belief in “healing waters”. The springs began to be more a sideshow than the main event, and most of the Bath Houses closed.
But Eureka Springs hung in there, adapting with the times, to remain one of Arkansas’ premier tourist destinations. Sure, no one comes to be healed, but now they come to get hitched. Eureka Springs has become the Las Vegas of the Ozarks when it comes to quickie marriages (no blood test required), with over 4,000 weddings taking place there every year. Also, there are a lot of shopping opportunities for people who shop on vacation to enjoy. For the faithful it’s worth the trip to Eureka Springs to gaze upon the 70-foot tall statue of Jesus, called Christ of the Ozarks that soars above the town. Eureka Springs has been packing them in for more that 150 years, now. Who can say why people will be visiting in 150 more?
Looking for more information on Alabama check out our Alabama Adventure guide at visitusa.com
Eureka Springs has, unsurprisingly, several naturally occurring, mineral-rich springs, which have long been thought to be possessed of healing powers. In 1856 European settler called Dr. Alvah Jackson took the Indian legends at their word at used some of the water from Eureka’s springs to “treat” an unspecified eye ailment suffered by his son. The ailment healed and his son’s recovery was duly attributed to the spring-water. This led to the founding of Dr. Jackson’s Cave Hospital, where many young men were “treated” with Eureka’s spring water during the American Civil War, and the subsequent Dr. Jackson’s Eye Water business post-bellum.
In 1879 Judge J.B. Saunders, a friend of Dr. Jackson’s, visited the Basin Spring in Eureka, where he was allegedly cured of some type of degenerative ailment. Thrilled by the upturn in his failing health, the influential judge began promoting Eureka Springs nationwide. Before the end of the year the town of Eureka Springs was home to 10,000 people, and by 1881 it was the 4th largest city in Arkansas.
Eureka Springs soon became famous for its luxuriant Bath Houses. In 1889 The Basin Spring Bath House was built on Main Street; it was 4 stories high, with a bridge to the upper 2 stories arching over the street and providing housing for the water pipes. The 1901 Palace Hotel’s baths used water from the Harding Spring, and featured an electric elevator, electric lights and steam-heating in every room, making it the turn of the century equivalent of a 5 star hotel. At these and other Bath Houses visitors could slip out of their union suits for a hot or cold or shower, a massage or various kinds of baths: hot air, electric, medicated, radiant, vapor and more. The Palace and the Basin house are still standing today.
As the 20th century began to get its big, bloody, iron wheels turning up to speed, interest in mysticism began to wane, and this included the belief in “healing waters”. The springs began to be more a sideshow than the main event, and most of the Bath Houses closed.
But Eureka Springs hung in there, adapting with the times, to remain one of Arkansas’ premier tourist destinations. Sure, no one comes to be healed, but now they come to get hitched. Eureka Springs has become the Las Vegas of the Ozarks when it comes to quickie marriages (no blood test required), with over 4,000 weddings taking place there every year. Also, there are a lot of shopping opportunities for people who shop on vacation to enjoy. For the faithful it’s worth the trip to Eureka Springs to gaze upon the 70-foot tall statue of Jesus, called Christ of the Ozarks that soars above the town. Eureka Springs has been packing them in for more that 150 years, now. Who can say why people will be visiting in 150 more?
Looking for more information on Alabama check out our Alabama Adventure guide at visitusa.com
Immigration in America - Not Everyone is Dying to Get Here
Not everyone in America views people from Mexico and Pan America as our little brown brothers to the south. With a deep culture and a rich heritage older than our own these people have much to be proud of. Economically and politically they are suffering behind the eight ball of progress but as in any country life goes on there. This writer has family in Mexico and because of that I have had the good fortune of spending a lot of time in Old Mexico. The details are too much for this article but I will at the very least relate one single impression I had the first time I spent real time in the neighborhoods of Acapulco. My first impressions as I viewed the small houses and open air markets were probably similar to every other American before me. I thought of only how poor theses people are and how hard life must be for them. In a short time I changed my opinion. I watched as families clung close to each other and neighborhoods would band together closely to protect each other. There were simple peddlers carrying fish and cold gelatins around and children playing together with laughter. They worked hard and ate together at the same table. Respect was given to the elderly and heads of households whether male or female. Fiestas and much celebration were attended by large crowds and participation was hearty and genuine. Dancing, conversation and great food was enjoyed and a neighborhood seemed more like a family than a mere community of citizens. Who could find fault with this and why should we care if they don’t have a lot of money? Apparently it could not keep them from enjoying something we in America may have long since had a while but lost. I was graced with my time in Mexico long before I had the pleasure of seeing the acclaimed movie, El Norte. This Pan American production was released in 1983 and will soon re-debut thru the DVD medium for those who may have missed it. Only three or four movies I have seen in my lifetime would I consider as “an experience” and not just a movie, El Norte is one of them. El Norte (The North) is a grand drama produced by Gregory Nava in Pan America. It is considered the hands down best movie ever produced in Central America. It is also considered the best movie to “put faces” on the otherwise invisible people who pick our crops, clean our houses and care for our children. The immigrants of South and Central America and those of Mexico are not only depicted accurately in this film but they could learn from it as well. It is my opinion that if all would be immigrants were able to see this film before they dashed off to America that many of them would lay down the idea of getting here altogether. The film is fictional but has a reality to it that cannot be contended. It is similar to the experiences of countless Latinos who enter this country illegally and legally. Its impact did not go unnoticed by the National Film Registry where it was selected by the Library of Congress in 1995. It was also nominated for an Oscar and won several other prestigious awards along its glowing path. The plot of El Norte is based on the travels of a young brother and sister team who endeavor to overcome every obstacle set before them to immigrate (illegally) to the United States. The two siblings come from a Central American village of Mayan Indians. Their life there was simple and they were poor but all they ever loved was also there. They want to come to America and try along with others of their kind to overcome the idea of being no more than “brazos fuertes” (strong arms) that make up the grunt workforce for rich Americans. Driven by the dream of a place were opportunity abounds and equality reigns they cross hundreds of miles of open desserts and long dreary roads in Mexico. They are robbed, raped tricked, swindled and lied to but pass on undaunted still reaching for their dreams. With nothing left to lose they make the final crossing into the land into America by crawling on hands and knees for miles through a sewer duct from Mexico to San Diego. They are bitten by rats, exhausted and near to death when they emerge to the land of the free and the home of the brave. The contacts and the promises that they expected to be there for them have dissolved and they battle to find some means of survival. In time they both find housing and meager employment as domestics but the battle has just begun. The heart wrenching struggle they encounter is not just about making money but it is about making impossible adjustments to a culture not only foreign to them but completely undesirable. They are pulled by druggers to touch and taste and demeaned by employers that work them hard for pittances. They see Americans in a great a race to gain everything but who seem to appreciate nothing. Add to this that one of the siblings’ contracts a disease from the rat bites they incurred while crossing into San Diego and eventually dies. Before the bitter end the film depicts what would be the mental dreams, visions and remembrances of their native village and their Mayan cultural upbringing. It is impossible not to feel the longing to return to their simpler and more meaningful life. Now it is harder to return than it was to make the first journey…fade to black. As an American who loves his country this film stood as an indictment against our shallowness and preoccupation with everything that is ersatz and meaningless. I could never argue with the great principles this nation was founded upon but this movie only served to remind me that we are a long way from the founding principles today. Although the present issue of immigration in this country cannot be ignored this film reminds us that there is an untold side to the issue. If the hearts of all the immigrants could be searched and weighed I’m sure we would find that a great deal of their contents would be disappointment, disillusionment and sorrow. The lesson here is that it is not just our borders that need to be protected in a reasonable and rational manner but it is our hearts as well. Would be immigrants may want to consider that economic advantage is not all there is to life. Americans may want to remember that there was a time when that was not all there was to our lives. Far be it for a man of God not to appendage a good didactic endeavor without making an allusion to the scriptures. This is the one that comes to mind. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15 Rev Bresciani is the author of two books and hundreds of articles. Visit his website at www.americanprophet.org Rev Bresciani is the author of two highly regarded Christian books. An American Prophet and His Message is thought to be the clearest treatment of the second coming of Christ in this decade. It is published by Xulon Press. Rev Bresciani has hundredsof articles on many subjects published both online and in print. Please visit the website at http://www.americanprophet.org
Will Cedar Breaks National Monument Be the Next National Park?
Author: Bob Therrien
http://www.cedarbreakstours.com
Cedar Breaks rests on top of the Colorado plateau, at over 10,000 feet in elevation. Millions of years have carved out this giant amphitheater. Due to minerals that have been deposited over time, the cliffs of Cedar Breaks National Monument display an amazing rainbow of warm hues. There are dozens of places for your Adventure in this area. Brian Head, Cedar City, Dixie National Forest, Mammouth Cave, and Duck Creek….and the list just goes on!
The rim of the canyon is over 10,000 feet above sea level, and is forested with islands of Engelmann spruce, sub alpine fir and aspen; separated by broad meadows of brilliant summertime wild flowers. There are lots to see when enjoying Cedar Breaks Tours!
Cedar Breaks resembles a miniature Bryce Canyon. It’s been said that its brilliant colors even surpass Bryce. The Native Americans called Cedar Breaks the "Circle of Painted Cliffs." Down deep inside the coliseum are stone spires, arches, pinnacles, and intricate canyons and columns, in many different shades of red, yellow and purple. One of the world’s oldest trees, the bristlecone pine, grows here and can be found along the Spectra Point Trail. The Forest that surrounds Cedar Breaks providing wonderful alpine meadows full of ponderosa pines and quaking aspens. During the summer months, the wildflower display is spectacular. The monument is bordered by Dixie National Forest. All services and roads are normally closed during the winter due to heavy snow.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is close to Cedar City, Utah. Driving distances to the Monument are:
• From Las Vegas 194 miles, 312 km
• From SLC 251 miles, 404 km
• From Phoenix 419 miles, 675km
Cedar City, Utah is home to SUU, Southern Utah University. It has most of what people would expect for accommodations and shopping requirements during your visit. In addition Brian Head Ski Area is just a few miles for the monument. It offers 4 seasons of activities. It is the highest elevation ski area in Utah. It receives over 400 inches of snow per year. It is a unique ski area because of its red rock views into Cedar Breaks. It is very possible to be in the desert in Las Vegas, Nevada or Saint George, Utah in the morning and ski Brian Head and be back to the desert for dinner! Some source content provided by The National Park Service and UT BLM
http://www.cedarbreakstours.com
Cedar Breaks rests on top of the Colorado plateau, at over 10,000 feet in elevation. Millions of years have carved out this giant amphitheater. Due to minerals that have been deposited over time, the cliffs of Cedar Breaks National Monument display an amazing rainbow of warm hues. There are dozens of places for your Adventure in this area. Brian Head, Cedar City, Dixie National Forest, Mammouth Cave, and Duck Creek….and the list just goes on!
The rim of the canyon is over 10,000 feet above sea level, and is forested with islands of Engelmann spruce, sub alpine fir and aspen; separated by broad meadows of brilliant summertime wild flowers. There are lots to see when enjoying Cedar Breaks Tours!
Cedar Breaks resembles a miniature Bryce Canyon. It’s been said that its brilliant colors even surpass Bryce. The Native Americans called Cedar Breaks the "Circle of Painted Cliffs." Down deep inside the coliseum are stone spires, arches, pinnacles, and intricate canyons and columns, in many different shades of red, yellow and purple. One of the world’s oldest trees, the bristlecone pine, grows here and can be found along the Spectra Point Trail. The Forest that surrounds Cedar Breaks providing wonderful alpine meadows full of ponderosa pines and quaking aspens. During the summer months, the wildflower display is spectacular. The monument is bordered by Dixie National Forest. All services and roads are normally closed during the winter due to heavy snow.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is close to Cedar City, Utah. Driving distances to the Monument are:
• From Las Vegas 194 miles, 312 km
• From SLC 251 miles, 404 km
• From Phoenix 419 miles, 675km
Cedar City, Utah is home to SUU, Southern Utah University. It has most of what people would expect for accommodations and shopping requirements during your visit. In addition Brian Head Ski Area is just a few miles for the monument. It offers 4 seasons of activities. It is the highest elevation ski area in Utah. It receives over 400 inches of snow per year. It is a unique ski area because of its red rock views into Cedar Breaks. It is very possible to be in the desert in Las Vegas, Nevada or Saint George, Utah in the morning and ski Brian Head and be back to the desert for dinner! Some source content provided by The National Park Service and UT BLM
Honoring Now & Then, Traditional Native American Wedding Vows
Native Americans enjoy a strong and rich cultural heritage that still permeates many parts of their everyday lives, and particularly of those special moments. Many young Native Americans want a ceremony that not only keeps with modern traditions and celebrations, but that also includes a connection to their heritage, to make their wedding a cultural event that honors both the present celebration and the past.
There are many online resources to find some traditional, or “modern traditional†blessings and vows that are individual to a tribe. Soon to be newlyweds who are Native American could talk to a local tribal council, or other resources to find something suitable. There are websites with long lists of ceremonies that do not seem to be solely for one group. Two of the most beautiful Native blessings are the Apache and the Cherokee, and example of each which follows:
Apache Blessing
“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.â€
Cherokee Blessing
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms;
We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together.
Amen.
These are only two of many examples of what is available, and this is not just limited to Native Americans. There are Medieval ceremonies, old Celtic or Celtic Christian ceremonies. As more and more people become interested in their backgrounds, the demand for these traditional vows increase, and add a beauty, elegance, and tradition to the ceremony that all can admire.
Dave is the owner of http://ez-wedding-vows.info and http://original-wedding-vows.info websites providing information on wedding vows
There are many online resources to find some traditional, or “modern traditional†blessings and vows that are individual to a tribe. Soon to be newlyweds who are Native American could talk to a local tribal council, or other resources to find something suitable. There are websites with long lists of ceremonies that do not seem to be solely for one group. Two of the most beautiful Native blessings are the Apache and the Cherokee, and example of each which follows:
Apache Blessing
“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.â€
Cherokee Blessing
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms;
We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together.
Amen.
These are only two of many examples of what is available, and this is not just limited to Native Americans. There are Medieval ceremonies, old Celtic or Celtic Christian ceremonies. As more and more people become interested in their backgrounds, the demand for these traditional vows increase, and add a beauty, elegance, and tradition to the ceremony that all can admire.
Dave is the owner of http://ez-wedding-vows.info and http://original-wedding-vows.info websites providing information on wedding vows
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