posted on April 7, 2003 08:33:06 AM new
U.S. Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, the Tuba City soldier who had gone missing in Iraq after enemy soldiers ambushed her unit last month, is dead, the Department of Defense said late Friday night. "This tragedy has rocked the very foundation of the Hopi reservation," Wayne Taylor Jr., chairman of the Hopi tribe said in a statement shortly after midnight.
Piestewa, 23, an enrolled member of the Hopi tribe, leaves behind two children. Her family declined comment late Friday night.
The seven other soldiers in her unit that had been listed as missing were also killed in action, the Department of Defense said.
Taylor said many Hopis have been continually praying for Piestwa's safe return since March 23, the day she was listed as missing in action.
"We will get through this and we will continue to pray that all of our soldiers, not just Hopi, are safely returned home to their families," Taylor said in the statement.
He noted in the statement that of the 56 Hopi men and women serving in the United States armed forces, all but eight are in the Persian Gulf region.
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I watched an interview with a Hopi representatve today who told an interesting story.
The Hopis believe that when a person dies, they come back in the form of water to nourish and sustain their people and their land. On the day that Lori's family was notified of her death a light gentle snow began to fall on her reservation giving her people reassurance that Lori's spirit had come home to comfort her loved ones.
posted on April 7, 2003 06:07:17 PM new
Hello. I lurk here once in a while but never felt the urge to post until now. Lori's family and mine are very close. We are all from Tuba City, more properly, the Hopi Village of Moencopi, Arizona. Your relation of the story of the deceased returning to us as rain is true. Our land is dry and we depend on the rain for our crops of corn, beans, melons and squash. The greatest blessing we can receive is rain, and snow in the winter. Knowing Lori as we have for the last 22 years, we know she died doing what she felt was right, and did it with honor. Honor to herself and for her people. She may be the first Indian woman to have died in combat. These are honors that others may bestow on her. We don't really care about that kind of thing.The Hopi are peaceful people and throughout history avoided war at almost all costs. Many Hopis have serious misgivings about this war, myself included. What we don't have misgivings about is supporting our soldiers who have chosen to go and fight because they believe in their hearts they are doing the right thing. We will all miss Lori. We pray for her parents and her two young kids. May they grow to be as strong and honorable as their mom was.
posted on April 7, 2003 06:24:36 PM new The Hopis believe that when a person dies, they come back in the form of water to nourish and sustain their people and their land. On the day that Lori's family was notified of her death a light gentle snow began to fall on her reservation giving her people reassurance that Lori's spirit had come home to comfort her loved ones.
That is a beautiful sentiment, kwatokti. Thank you so much for your explanation.
posted on April 7, 2003 06:32:24 PM new
Kwatoki - Watching the coverage this morning of Lori and her background and the interview with her father and the strength of a man that has just lost his daughter speaking of his prayers for quick recovery of her friend Jessica Lynch was incredibly touching. I thought that the legend of the the return of the dead and the snow that day was so beautiful that others should know of it as well. If nothing else, I hope that my post is confirmation that Loris spirit will always carry on even outside your tribe as hers is a story that I know I will never forget. My thoughts go out to Loris family, her community and to you as well for your loss.
posted on April 18, 2003 07:47:24 AM new
Just saw a report that Squaw Peak in Arizona is being rename Piestewa Peak in honor of Lori. What a beuatiful tribute.
"A sentinel in the center of metropolitan Phoenix, Squaw Peak dominates the skyline from almost any direction. "
