Event honors Piestewa
Fallen Hopi soldier to be remembered

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — It's been nearly two years since the 507th Army Maintenance Company was ambushed in Iraq, taking the life of Pfc. Lori Piestewa.

But Arizonans for Piestewa doesn't want to forget.

The Phoenix-based group is holding its second annual ceremony to honor Piestewa and to show support for America's troops.

"Last year," said Ernest Martinez, coordinator for Arizonans for Piestewa, "it was a really moving event."

Piestewa, a Hopi from Moenkopi, Ariz., was killed when her unit took a wrong turn in Nasiriyah. She was 23 years old and a single mother of two children.

Since her death, her memory and her family have been honored in Native American communities nationwide.

"It's a memorial to keep Lori's memory alive and also to celebrate her culture," Martinez said.

"I know it impacted the Native American population significantly throughout the state and nation," Martinez said. "The emphasis has been to support our soldiers over there because they're being killed."

Piestewa is believed to be the first Native American woman killed in combat.

Former POW Jessica Lynch, a member of Piestewa's unit and herroommate, is scheduled to attend the ceremonies. Lynch was rescued from an Iraqi hospital by U.S. Special Forces.

Martinez said Lynch's visit this year will bring "various cultures together to honor these American heros."

"It's a way to get different groups of people together," Martinez said.

A sunrise service and an evening candlelight vigil will be held on March 23.

Lynch is also set to meet privately with Piestewa's family on March 24 in Tuba City, where a public reception will be held in the evening.

Honor guards, prayer groups, dance groups, and tribal spiritual leaders are set to participate in the both memorials.

Martinez said his group would like to turn the events into an annual gathering.

"Especially to support the troops and honor the veterans," he said.

If You Go
Events are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, March 23
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony Piestewa Peak, Hopi Ramada (2nd to last ramada), Phoenix

5:30 p.m. Evening Candlelight Memorial Patriots Square Park, Central and Washington, Phoenix

Information: Ernest Martinez, 602 312-8663 or Liz Gonzales, 602 228-3208.

Thursday, March 24
6 p.m. A special public honor reception, Tuba City High School Warrior Pavilion, Tuba City

Information: Rosanda Suetopka Thayer at (928) 283-1072 or for food donations, Reva Hoover (928) 283-5317 or Helen Hunter (928) 283-1029.