Remembering Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman through Photographs
Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman at Navajo Code Talker Day 2017. Photograph shot by Anthony Anaya-Gorman ©
With the passing of Alfred K. Newman, there are only 8 living Navajo Code Talkers now
With the sad passing of Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman on January 13, 2019, I decided to share never before seen photographs of Mr. Newman. I took these photographs at Navajo Code Talker Day 2017.
In 2017, I worked on the crowdfunding campaign for Navajo Code Talker Day. Also, this was the year I helped to curate an exhibit with my older brother to honor the First Twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers and the 75th anniversary of when this group was sworn into the US Marine Corps at Fort Wingate, NM. My grandfather, Carl N. Gorman was apart of this initial group. So it is by far one of the proudest moments of my life since these efforts led to reuniting and connecting families of the First Twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers since the 2001 congressional gold medal ceremony in Washington, DC.
So 2017 took me on a very personal journey when it came to growing up with these incredible men and witnessing and hearing personal stories from descendants about their Navajo Code Talkers. Of course, during this time, there were Navajo Code Talkers still alive. Alfred K. Newman was one them and he attended Navajo Code Talker Day 2017.
“Listening” Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman listening to speakers at Navajo Code Talker Day 2017; Photography shot by Anthony Anaya-Gorman
I never witnessed anyone so intently listening to the speakers at Navajo Code Talker Day 2017 as Mr. Alfred Newman did.
Like many Navajo Code Talker Day events, and Navajo events in general, there were many speakers. But while guests walked around the various booths, sat at the tables under the tent, or talked amongst themselves out in the crowd, Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman observed each speaker with an intent and respect I don’t think I can fully explain. I didn’t find anyone disrespectful during the presentations, but I didn't see anyone as engaged as Mr. Alfred K. Newman on that day either. He leaned into each speaker’s words, often times holding his hand to his ear and tilting his head to adjust to the surrounding sounds. He gazed upon every word with a sheer look of respect and interest for each person who shared their expertise on honoring him and his fellow Navajo Code Talkers. Watching him took me back and filled my heart with gratitude and appreciation. I never witnessed anyone so intently listening to the speakers at Navajo Code Talker Day 2017 as Mr. Alfred Newman did. In fact, I recall telling everyone for weeks how much his observance caught my eye.
There is much to learn from observing our Cheiis (grandfathers)
I will always remember this moment in my life and I wanted to express my respect for him by sharing how he reminded me there is much to learn from observing our Cheiis (grandfathers).
May you walk in beauty on your journey, sir. Ahéhee' (Thank you).
-Anthony Anaya-Gorman
With the passing of Alfred K. Newman, there are only 8 living Navajo Code Talkers now. To learn more about how many Navajo Code Talkers there were, please visit my mom’s website here.