Fort Worth Honors Choctaw Code Talkers

0:00It's April 3rd. This is El Paso News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Fort Worth just honored the Choctaw Code Talkers with a new plaque at Veterans Memorial Park. These 19 Native American soldiers from World War I used their language to send unbreakable messages for the allies in northern France. Sworn to secrecy, they kept their stories hidden for decades until advocates brought them to light. After the past 20 years, folks like Nishoba, President of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association, have pushed to recognize this group. The plaque went up during an April 1st ceremony with the Oklahoma Tribe, Texas Historical Commission, and City Parks. It's the first such marker in Texas tied to where these soldiers trained at Cambodia. Back then, Native Americans weren't even citizens until 1924, yet these men volunteered and turned overheard Choctaw words into codes like, Tanambo, Chito for artillery.

1:00Germans couldn't crack it in 24 hours. Their work inspired the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II. Descendants showed up beaming with pride, saying it connects past heroes to future generations. Officials called it a testament to Choctaw resilience and the power of indigenous languages. Some member Macy Hill noted, it's fitting since the soldiers walk those very grounds. The association keeps the momentum going with the bronze sculpture at the Choctaw Cultural Center last May and 23 bridges renamed in Oklahoma. More Texas Tribes are in the works, ensuring this legacy of ingenuity and patriotism echoes on.