Well, we just got back to the room after watching Navajo dancers on the town square. It was really nice. The guy that played the drum and did the “vocals” explained that there are over twenty different Navajo dialects in New Mexico and each one can’t understand the other. Maybe it’s because they relied on smoke signals for so long that they just never got around to standardizing their language. I don’t know, maybe someone out there has a better idea. Let me know. I think the group we saw were “southern” Navajo because every-other-word he sang during every one of the dances was “Hey ya’ll!
Before anyone out there gets their feathers ruffled thinking I’m making light of their culture, just “simmer down now” and let me finish.
Of all of the cultures involved in defending America in armed conflict, none can claim more heros from the number of participants than the American Indian. I walked through a memorial garden by the court house honoring local war heros. There were Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and don’t forget the famous “Wind Talkers” who confounded the Japanese by speaking Navajo during the battle for Iwa Jima. In fact, the head of Allied communications during the battle said Iwa Jima could not have been won without the Navajo communicators.
Don’t forget about Ira Hays, the American Indian Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who was one of the men raising the American flag on that island.
I saw something today at that courthouse I had never seen before. Right under the Stars and Stripes flying from the top of the pole on top of the courthouse was the MIA (Missing In Action) flag that is flown by veteran organizations as a reminder that we will never forget those men who are still “missing” in combat. What a great gesture from this county government of support for their missing heros.
I really wasn’t planning on Gallup being that big of a deal when it comes to sights to see or famous people but was I ever suprised! No wonder we are the greatest nation on earth, how do you place a price on this kind of commitment from these people for the preservation of our freedom and way of life! If this trip is about seeing the best of America, I think I just did!
Ted Purcell 
Your words bought tears to my eyes. How soon we forget about others, thanks for reminding us. Glad you and Charlotte are having fun.
Hey Cynthia
Yeah, I think we all loose sight of how blessed we are to live in such a great country. We get locked into our own little corner of the world and become caught up in our own personal problems, forgetting there is a wonderful heritage all around us that has been paid for by the great sacrifices of other folks just like us. That is one of our goals of this trip. I want this country to speak to us. I am really glad America is not what we hear polititians rant and rave about and try to make us believe. The truth of the matter is the American Spirit is so much more powerful than their (and I mean all of them) lame attempts to define or explain. To all the false prophets of gloom and doom who try to daily convince me that America is breathing it’s last breath and only they or their idealogical vision can save it, I say give me a break! Get out there and let the Spirit of America wash over you! You will quit protesting and crying “Power to the People!”. I hope you will understand what I am realizing all over again; the “power” IS THE PEOPLE! America, God I love this place!
Thank you for sharing this unique and one of a kind vacation!
Hey Amanda,
Thanks for posting in! Yep, this one is unique! I have anyone who wants to riding along in the old truck with us, giving input, likes, dislikes, or just making conversation. That’s pretty good stuff on a trip this long. I don’t have to carry all the conversational resposibility of keeping Charlotte entertained!
Keep posting in and let me know how I’m doing behind the wheel!
Ted you are doing great job on posting. Your post is what I look forward to every evening.
Thanks for the post Cynthia! We are having a good trip and the company of all you “virtual hitch-hikers” makes for some interesting conversation! Keep posting!