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Honoring a hero: President’s office mourns passing of veteran, former delegate

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WINDOW ROCK-It is with great sadness that the Office of the President and Vice President learned about the passing of Korean Conflict veteran and former Shonto Council Delegate, Harry D. Brown, Sr., on Feb 5.

Brown was Áshiihí born for Kinłichínii. His maternal grandfathers were Tábaahá and paternal grandfathers were Honágháahníí’. He was 85 years old.

Brown had an extensive and honorable career resume spanning service in many tribal capacities. He served five terms as a council delegate representing Shonto Chapter and Shonto Community Governance between 1967-1979 (three terms), 1991-1995 and 2003-2007.

Before his tenure with the Navajo Nation Council, Brown was a Navajo tribal policeman for ten years.  He served as a Navajo Nation judge from 1980 to 1990 and also served two terms as a Navajo Board of Election supervisor.

In his community people who knew him greeted him as “Judge Brown”.

“Our condolences go out to the family of Harry D. Brown, Sr. Throughout the course of his life he served on behalf of both the Navajo Nation and his chapter in the Shonto community.  The legacy of his contributions to the Navajo Nation are a testament to the integrity of his character,” President Russell Begaye said.

Vice President Jonathan Nez said Brown was a leader for his home chapter of Shonto and a true Nataanii.

“Harry Brown, Sr. was a veteran, a Navajo warrior who bravely fought in the Korean War and continued this selfless volunteerism as a councilman,” Nez said. “He not only supported education, but our Navajo cowboys for more than 55 years.”

He will truly be missed by our community, he added.

Brown’s nephew, Robert Black Jr. said his uncle was a family man who tended to chores around his home while also remaining active in his traditional practices.

“He was a pillar to our family. Not only because he was a leader but also because he was a traditional person who participated in every aspect of Navajo ceremonies,” he said. “If you just mentioned his name, Harry Brown, then people would know who you were talking about.”

OPVP extends prayers and condolences on behalf of the Navajo Nation to the family of Harry D. Brown, Sr.

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