YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -
Native American history is an inseparable part of the history of the United States and has contributed much to American culture. Recognizing that fact, a presidential proclamation has set aside November as National American Indian Heritage Month every year since 1994.

To highlight the culture and history of Native Americans, 501st Military Intelligence Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company Equal Opportunity Advisor Sgt. 1st Class Rhonda Motley placed an informational display at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Headquarters Building 4305.

"Of many Native American achievements helping the U.S. Army, the use of the Navajo Code was so successful that military commanders credited it with saving the lives of countless American citizens and Soldiers during World War II in the Pacific," she said. "It has no alphabet or symbols, and is spoken only on the Navajo lands of the American Southwest. One estimate indicates that less than 30 non-Navajos - none of them Japanese - could understand the language at the outbreak of World War II."

The legacy of the 'code talkers,' whose skill and courage saved many American lives, has gained more popular notoriety with Hollywood movies like Windtalkers depicting their valor, Motley said.

"I would like to invite the community to stop by Building 4305 to learn more about Native Americans, especially as Thanksgiving approaches."

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