Getting a monument for Navajo code talkers built in Wesley Bolin Plaza is matter of time and money, a backer for the memorial told the Governmental Mall Commission.
Sylvia Laughter, a Navajo and former state lawmaker, told the commission at a May 18 meeting, “We’re hoping to raise the $200,000 that is necessary.”
Some $60,000 in donations has been raised so far, said Laughter, secretary for the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Foundation.
A Senate bill appropriating $100,000 for the monument cleared its assigned committees but has yet to reach the floor. The bill — S1192 — would provide the funds on condition that the Navajo Tribe first donate $100,000 toward the monument.
It was sponsored by Sen. Karen Johnson, R-18. Her office said on May 23 that the money could still end up in the final budget.
As for the matter of time, Laughter told the commission that the monument must be in place by the end of 2008, according to a deadline set by the Legislature.
All told, about 400 Navajos — fighting as Marines in the Pacific Theater — signed up to become code talkers in World War II. Using their native language, they transmitted secret messages. The Japanese never cracked the code.
The monument, as proposed, would depict a Navajo code talker in bronze — with the 400 names listed on separate plaques.
The commission took no action on the proposal as it lacked a quorum.
Chairman Tom Smith, sounding disappointed, said it was the third straight meeting where a lack of a quorum kept the commission from voting on matters before it.
Korean War Memorial to get fresh paint
The commission also heard from Korean War veterans, who said they have volunteered to give the Korean War Memorial a fresh coat of paint and add spikes to deter pigeons. With an OK from the Department of Administration, the touchups did not require formal commission approval.
Korean War veteran Gene Spruce of Scottsdale told the commission that, in time, he hope others would help keep the monument in shape.
“At our age, we don’t know if we can continue much longer,” Spruce said in jest. Most Korean War veterans are in their 70s.
Smith, a Korean War veteran himself, told Spruce: “I stayed in Korea until I got hit with shrapnel and lost a few parts of my body, but it didn’t affect me materially.”
Spruce said later the veterans hoped to get the monument fixed up by Memorial Day, May 28.
“I’d be surprised if we’re going to get it done by then,” he said, “but we’re going to try.”