Today, we observe August 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers Day. This is a special day to honor the bravery and sacrifice of our Navajo men who developed an unbreakable code using Diné Bizaad during World War II.

It’s a day to celebrate their heroic contributions to U.S. military history and to educate others about their extraordinary legacy.

Today, only two of these brave men — Thomas Begay and Peter McDonald — are still living.

To honor this as a Nation, we still proudly speak the Navajo language. Preserving our language remains a core priority for me, which is why I signed an executive order that marked our Navajo language as the official language of the Navajo Nation.

We as a sovereign nation would not be here without your heroism and courage.

Ahéhee’

-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren