Photo: The Copper State Young Marines from Prescott Valley, Arizona joined 150 other Young Marines from across the country to honor World War II heroes, the Navajo Code Talkers, in Window Rock, Arizona. A wreath honoring their service was laid at the Navajo Code Talkers statue.
Photo: Each year on August 14, Young Marines from across the country travel to Window Rock, Arizona to honor World War II heroes, the Navajo Code Talkers and their families. The Copper State Young Marines from Prescott Valley, Arizona were among those who participated in the ceremonies.
The Copper State Young Marines, including youth members and adult volunteers from Prescott Valley, Arizona joined approximately 150 fellow Young Marine members from across the country in Window Rock, Arizona on August 14, 2026, to honor and learn from the World War II heroes, the Navajo Code Talkers, and their families.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth leadership and development program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promote the mental, moral, and physical development of their members and focus on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Every year on August 14 the Navajo Nation celebrates this elite group of World War II veterans, The Navajo Code Talkers. These remarkable patriots served our country by transmitting top-secret messages across enemy lines using the Navajo language as code – the only code unbroken by the Japanese during World War II. To date, only two of these original 29 veterans remain. Since 2006 (except during Covid), the Young Marines have traveled to Arizona each year to celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers and to meet the few remaining survivors and their families in person to listen to their stories.
Photo: Young Marines honor the Navajo Code Talkers in Window Rock, Arizona on August 14 every year, as they hike to the top of this sacred formation in the Navajo Nation.
The Copper State Young Marines participated in various events while in Window Rock. They planned and participated in a community service clean-up at the Navajo Nation Zoo and Museum. The group also climbed and hiked the Navajo Code Talkers Monument in Window Rock. They celebrated with a wreath laying ceremony and parade at Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Park and a tour at the Navajo Nation Museum.
“Standing in Window Rock and hearing the story of the Navajo Code Talkers gave our Young Marines a powerful lesson that no classroom could match,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “These men turned their language, courage and ingenuity into a weapon for freedom, helping protect American lives and secure victory in the Pacific. By honoring them here, our Young Marines are learning that patriotism is not merely remembered; it is carried forward through service, character and respect for those who came before us.”
For more information on the Copper State Young Marines go to https://members.youngmarines.org/unit/copperstate/page
About the Young Marines
Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 200 units with over 5,000 youth and 1,950 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan (Okinawa), and affiliates in a host of other countries.
For more information on the Young Marines, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org.
Abra Hogarth | Young Marines
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