Sunday, June 22, 2014

Semelfactive.

There's something in almost every paragraph of this obituary that grabs the attention. The medicine bag with its blessed corn pollen, the Fels-Naptha soap used to stop him speaking Navajo, 'Semelfactive' a word for half completed actions. 


9 comments:

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

It's unfortunate that the code-talkers were treated as harshly as they were and their not being permitted to discuss it after the war only made it worse. Recognition for the difference they made and their sacrifice came too late for them. I wonder if it had come sooner, how much of a difference would it have made for them both personally and as native Americans?


~~I hope your trip is an enjoyable and memorable one!

VirginiaC said...

What an incredible story but such a pity that his true greatness was not recognised until years and years after.
The Navajo code talkers had a lot to be proud of and it's downright sad that they weren't allowed to feel that pride bursting in their chests.....without them many wars would have been lost with many more casualties.
Hooray for them all.

Angus said...

Thankfully last weeks humidity has eased !
This made me laugh -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuotiNeGOU

WFT Nobby said...

Utterly fascinating story on every level.
Thanks for the enriching Sunday read.
Cheers, Gail.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We'd heard about the wind talkers.... But the injustice to people just keeps on. So sad.

XXXOOO Bella Roxy & Dui

myboyzach said...

Interesting that he died 2 days before D-day. There was nothing in US history books when I was in school, didn't know about the windtalkers until I started to read other history books. Very interesting.

Kinley Westie said...

Da Navajo Code Talkers really were amazing.

Whispering Walls said...

Very poignant

Jo's World said...

Thank you for the story on Chester Nez, I had never heard about the Code Talkers and feel great admiration for what they accomplished.
We are a proud home to Ojibway (Chippewa) writer Louise Erdrich who uses bits of that language in her books. What a shame to let a beautiful language die (as the Indian school wanted).

Jo in Minnesota