The gourd dance started at 2 p.m. with an opening prayer along with the presenting of colors by Kirtland Central High JROTC.

Dakari White, a KCHS cadet, read the script for the folding of the flag during the ceremony.

At 91 years old, Thomas H. Begay, a Navajo Code Talker during World II, stood to honor the flag folding.

Pedro Larribas, KCHS senior instructor, said the cadets involved that day were honored to see Begay stand for the flag folding.

Lee Etcitty, Farmington local, approached the San Juan College Veterans Center with the idea of a gourd dance, back in August, said Larry Finch, coordinator of the SJC Veterans Center.

Etcitty had experience in putting on gourd dances in the past. The gourd dance featured one drum group, made up of the Marine Corps League in which Etcitty has worked with, Finch said.

There were over 120 attendees, most of which were veterans, he said.

Aside from the gourd dance, community resources in veterans services were set up during the event.

Begay spoke at the Henderson Fine Arts theater after the gourd dance about his time served and sang the Marine Core song. A book written about him, “Thomas H. Begay and the Navajo Code Talkers,” was discussed with author Alysa Landry.

Finch hopes to continue the gourd dance as an annual event and offer more events for veterans. He said the event was supported by students and faculty.

This event was not a first for the JROTC cadets from Kirtland. Last year, they joined the code talker at a memorial put on by San Juan College, Larribas said.

Daryl De May, KCHS instructor, was there with cadets at the gourd dance. Four cadets attended the event, with three presenting the colors.

Larribas said the students described the event as “memorable.“

This article was updated Nov. 27 to correct the spelling of Larry Finch’s name.