Ahéhee’ nihisiláotsohí. Yesterday, First Lady Martha Shelly and I were at Navajo Veterans Park in Window Rock to honor our veterans. We were joined by Speaker Pro Temp LoRenzo Bates and Council Delegate Jonathan Hale to salute these brave men and women of the Navajo Nation who stepped forward to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you to the hard work of Edsel Pete, department manager for the Navajo Department of Veterans Affairs, and his staff for coordinating this event. The Twin Warriors Society provided color guard duties while Miss Navajo Nation McKeon Dempsey sang the National Anthem in Navajo, which was both heartfelt and patriotic with a unique Navajo flavor. The Navajo Nation Band also performed. We hung the wreath of honor for our veterans and revealed 11 new names added to the KIA Wall on the east side of the park to honor our fallen veterans that were killed in action since 2003. Please continue to respect and honor our veterans, it doesnt only apply for Veterans Day. The need our support and require a variety of services. When you enlist in the U.S. Armed Services, you take an oath of enlistment: I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. I explained to the audience that when you are sworn in as President of the Navajo Nation, you take a similar oath to uphold Navajo sovereignty, the Navajo Nation Code and Fundamental Laws of our Nation. Navajo people need to understand that this oath of office must be upheld: I (state name of elected official), do solemnly swear to uphold and abide by the laws of the Navajo Nation and Treaty of 1868 between the Navajo Nation and the United States of America; and will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the Navajo Nation; and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the laws and government of the Navajo Nation; and advance the interests of the Navajo people, having due regard for the ethical duties and responsibilities of the office. So help me God. You have to make tough decisions on behalf of the Navajo people when you serve as president of this great Nation. There are times when personal feelings and opinions must be put aside for the benefit of the Nation. Most importantly, as leaders, we must uphold the laws and the oath we were sworn in on upon taking office. Please treat one another with respect. The whole world is watching how we will get through the turmoil we are going through. We are a Nation of laws and it is our duty to uphold these laws for our Navajo people. Fighting one another and dividing our people is not the answer. We must march into the future together and showcase the strength, resilience and ingenuity of the Navajo Nation. Ahehee.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:48:03 +0000
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