Kansas post honors two war heroes
Legionnaires and others honor last of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers during Memorial Day events. Photos by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.![Visitors enter Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas to hear a presentation and meet Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/001_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2551_gallery.jpg?itok=VfIZK95q)
Visitors enter Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas to hear a presentation and meet Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines attends a Memorial Celebration at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/002_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2560_gallery.jpg?itok=_Lc_iVFY)
Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines attends a Memorial Celebration at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Legionnaires from Frontenac, Kan. Post 43 salute as The National Anthem is played before hearing a presentation about Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/003_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2603_gallery.jpg?itok=CE5ZaisY)
Legionnaires from Frontenac, Kan. Post 43 salute as The National Anthem is played before hearing a presentation about Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Kansas Department Commander Emery McKimmy introduces Judith Avilla, co-writer of Chester Nez's memoir at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/004_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2617_gallery.jpg?itok=GEvgDVRb)
Kansas Department Commander Emery McKimmy introduces Judith Avilla, co-writer of Chester Nez's memoir at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Judith Avilla gives a presentation about the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/005_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2666_gallery.jpg?itok=ptNXrKmn)
Judith Avilla gives a presentation about the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Latham, Chester Nez's grandson, shows Chester an American Legion Riders Chapter of Post 64 (Pittsburg, Kan.) that was presented by Director of Post 64 Chapter of Legion Riders Timm Currier at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/006_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2726_gallery.jpg?itok=JBUMbsx7)
Latham, Chester Nez's grandson, shows Chester an American Legion Riders Chapter of Post 64 (Pittsburg, Kan.) that was presented by Director of Post 64 Chapter of Legion Riders Timm Currier at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Attendees line up to purchase signed copies of Chester Nez's memoir, Code Talker, co-written by Chester Nez and Judith Avilla at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/007_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_4734_gallery.jpg?itok=6_fmawIH)
Attendees line up to purchase signed copies of Chester Nez's memoir, Code Talker, co-written by Chester Nez and Judith Avilla at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Jean Hemmila of Pittsburg, Kan. shakes Chester Nez's hand at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/008_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_4738_gallery.jpg?itok=5aaD8xFR)
Jean Hemmila of Pittsburg, Kan. shakes Chester Nez's hand at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Attendees line up for the chance to ake a photo with Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/009_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_4740_gallery.jpg?itok=Ctc8fbV8)
Attendees line up for the chance to ake a photo with Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Martin Dupslaff of Frontenac, Kan. Post 43 helps to restock copies of Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/010_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_4744_gallery.jpg?itok=QzmjBSpa)
Martin Dupslaff of Frontenac, Kan. Post 43 helps to restock copies of Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![M.L. Rupard holds the door for Latham and Chester after the presentation given at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/011_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2768_gallery.jpg?itok=und7q1-x)
M.L. Rupard holds the door for Latham and Chester after the presentation given at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Grandson Latham pushes Chester Nez to their vehicle after a presentation and Q&A at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/012_05252014_chester_nez_q_and_a_2773_gallery.jpg?itok=CvjPIcDT)
Grandson Latham pushes Chester Nez to their vehicle after a presentation and Q&A at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Flowers are laid at the paver in memory of Richard L. Jones at Veterans Memorial on the campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/013_05262014_chester_interview_4756_gallery.jpg?itok=v4zPfJwh)
Flowers are laid at the paver in memory of Richard L. Jones at Veterans Memorial on the campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![A thunderstom pops up at the start of a memorial service in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/014_05262014_chester_interview_4765_gallery.jpg?itok=jqIursO-)
A thunderstom pops up at the start of a memorial service in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![M.L. Rupard of American Legion Post 43 in Frontenac, Kan. helps organize a backup plan after a thunderstorm caused a change in plans at Veterans Memorial on the campus of PIttsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/015_05262014_chester_interview_2944_gallery.jpg?itok=_UrXekO-)
M.L. Rupard of American Legion Post 43 in Frontenac, Kan. helps organize a backup plan after a thunderstorm caused a change in plans at Veterans Memorial on the campus of PIttsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014.
![Chloe, 7, daughter of Marc McCully of Frontenac, Kan. a 10+ year membor of the American Legion, lauighs after asking to play in the rain in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/016_05262014_chester_interview_4779_gallery.jpg?itok=1kbmpUQd)
Chloe, 7, daughter of Marc McCully of Frontenac, Kan. a 10+ year membor of the American Legion, lauighs after asking to play in the rain in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Michael Chapman, member of American Legion Post 43 in Frontenac, Kan. made three identical bracelets for Chester, Latham and Judith and presented them on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/017_05262014_chester_interview_2992_gallery.jpg?itok=gopYjr7d)
Michael Chapman, member of American Legion Post 43 in Frontenac, Kan. made three identical bracelets for Chester, Latham and Judith and presented them on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![After a sudden thunderstorm, the Memorial Day service was moved indoors in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/018_05262014_chester_interview_4801_gallery.jpg?itok=tCgXD4MV)
After a sudden thunderstorm, the Memorial Day service was moved indoors in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines is given a standing ovation before a Memorial Day service in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/019_05262014_chester_interview_4803_gallery.jpg?itok=JmyJGfAK)
Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines is given a standing ovation before a Memorial Day service in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines, along with Judith Avilla and Latham Nez look on as the colors are saluted in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/020_05262014_chester_interview_3017_gallery.jpg?itok=hswBr4Es)
Chester Nez, the only surviving Navajo Codetalker of the original 29 Marines, along with Judith Avilla and Latham Nez look on as the colors are saluted in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
![Marc McCully holds a new paver in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Fr. Emil Kapaun in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/125478/2014-05-28/021_05262014_chester_interview_4817_gallery.jpg?itok=6D2d2U6a)
Marc McCully holds a new paver in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Fr. Emil Kapaun in Pittsburg, Kansas on Monday, May 26, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.