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Director of Communications
Office of the President & Vice President

Office: (928) 871-7884
Cell: (928) 380-0771
navajonationpress@navajo-nsn.gov

For Immediate Release

Feb 2, 2012

President Shelly Orders Flags at Half-Mast in Honor of Fallen Code Talker

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly ordered the Navajo Nation flag be flown at half-staff in honor of Code Talker Sgt. Jimmie Begay, 86, who passed away Wednesday afternoon.
 
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Begay. His efforts to defend this country and his people make me proud. My prayers, and the prayers of the First Lady, the Vice President and the Navajo Nation are with the family,” said President Shelly.
 
President Shelly ordered the Navajo Nation flag to be flown at half-staff from Thursday, Feb. 2, through sundown Sunday evening, Feb. 5.
 
Code Talker Begay, of Sawmill, Ariz., enlisted in the U.S. Marines in November of 1942 when he was 17 years old. He trained to become a code talker at Camp Elliot. He then served in the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion.
 
Services are pending.

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