Honoring, Remembering, and Praying for Our Warriors An exclusive Interview with the Parents of Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa

By Frank J. King III

The Native Voice

Frank J. King III: What is your whole feeling about what is going in the Middle East and how do you think that this “war” has impacted Native America?

Terry Piestewa: I think that, as far as the war that we are in...it was bound to happen because of what had happened to us on 9/11. I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen and I didn’t think we were going to just jump right into it...It was going to happen, kind of like a retaliation type of situation. Apparently, there...according to our leaders...was a reason for it. And yet, they don’t tell us everything and we just follow the orders that we’re going to be going to war.

It was kind of sad that our daughter was chosen...that her outfit was chosen to go over there and yet, at the same time, we knew what her position was in the military, so that was one of the reasons why she was in that situation when she was there ‘cause her outfit was a maintenance battalion that supplied parts for the missile that they had. And she was proud to go...I’m sure she was... and she didn’t want to let her fellow soldiers down. She was encouraging them because they didn’t want to go. They told us that. They asked Lori, “Well...if I go...will you go?” So she was there, more or less, as a supporter. She had a chance not to go because of surgery she had. But, I think she had this obligation to her friends, and her close friends, to be there for them and I think that’s the reason why she was there. Because, ah...she had a chance not to go and yet she took that obligation to do it. And when they did the attack, there was a young man that when they stopped to talk about their situation at Najaf...the young man asked her, "Well, did you get shot at?”...And she said, “Heck, yeah,” and showed him where the bullet came through the window, which was really close.

And so, I think he was afraid for her so he says, “Well, let’s trade...you drive for the commander and I’ll drive for the press sergeant.” But, she’s always had that obligation to whatever she’s in.

She was always dedicated to it...what she did. She said, “No, I’ll stay with the press sergeant.” And so that’s the reason why she was in that location at that time when they got attacked.

King: Do you think that her life has played a role in whether other Native women may want to join the service?

Terry: Apparently, she has made a big impact on women that join the military because, throughout the country, we’re hearing that... “My daughter joined,”...you know... “My sister’s gone over there because of Lori.” I think they feel that she’s made an impact that women can do what men are doing over there and become just as equal as the men are.

And I think a lot of it has to do with that and for many decades, I know, women have been trying to be an equal to the male soldiers out there. And that’s why a lot of them do join sometimes.

Lori was like that. All the competitions that she had in the military...she was there to show the men up saying, “Hey...I can do it, too!” I think that one of the medals she got as an expert in grenade

throwing...she competed against the men for that. And being in sports in high school...like being a softball pitcher and a catcher, and I think she played first or second base...she had that arm. So, it was kind of unique that she could compete with the men out there. Our daughter was in the military to get an education. And she didn’t know what to do with herself and she thought that this was a way she was going to be able to support her family and to get an education somehow.

And it’s just unfortunate that our tribal people don’t give out money like they should to the young people to get an education and so this was the only way she could get it.

King: Your daughter is sort of like a martyr for Native veterans. I’ve watched elder Native veterans honor her at the gatherings all over the United States. How do you feel about the impact that she’s had on today’s Native culture?

Percy Piestewa: I think it’s awesome! We are very fortunate in that our children grew up in the traditional way. Not only the traditional way but also in the Catholic way. The Hopi process of living complements the Catholic way of living in the steps that they take as they’re growing up and in the different activities that they do. And because she lived that, and you heard me say it today, you know, teach them at home and let them practice it in their daily living...go out and give thanks to the Sun every morning with their corn meal... your corn pollen...whatever it is you do. She was raised both traditional and the American way. And when she went, the indigenous people said, “She’s a warrior.” There’s a warrior Kachina that signifies the warrior and they’ve kind of put her up on that echelon of the high end. And it’s awesome for her to be able to relate, not only to the young people, but also, like you said, to the elders. We’re very honored that the elders look at her that way. That the young people look at her that way. And we need to take into consideration the fact that, especially single mothers, because we have so many single mothers, it has had a very big impact on them. You were asking about women going into the military and the impact that it’s had... Many single mothers now will call us and say, you know, “I have children and I thought that was beyond my bounds...something that I could never do, and now Lori has proven to me that it can happen, and then I can get educated.” And we tell them, “Do what is best for you...not because you’re following Lori’s footsteps, but because it’s best for you and your children and your families.” We always have to take our families into consideration. But it is definitely an honor to have the people honor her and respect her the

way that they do. We love everyone for all their prayers, all their love...all the friendship they have shown in this time since we’ve lost her.

Terry: You know, we’re real proud that, throughout the country, all the indigenous people claim her as “one of theirs.” You know, ‘cause all of the events that we do go to, we hear, “We’re honoring our sister, our mother, our aunt,” and they say...“OUR”. And we’re very proud that they do claim her as “one of theirs.” And I think this is one of the things, like you said, …this is what she’s done for all the people out there in our country. That she has made them “one of theirs.” And everybody is more like “one body” now. She has brought a lot of people together and we’ve seen and heard this so we know that, maybe, this was her position in life.

King: I came out and stayed in a hotel that was right by Piestewa Peak. And I asked the people there what they thought of it...because when you walk inside the hotel, there’s this “squaw” room.

I said, “Are you guys going to change the names of your rooms now?” And they said the managers want to change it. That was a big thing here. How do you guys feel about how It’s affected the way non-Indian and Indian people interact ?

Percy: We’re very grateful that that’s happened. I came to the first hearing on March 23rd, 2004...We had memorial services on Piestewa Peak when the sun came up and we did our memorial services there. That afternoon we went to the Senate ‘cause there was a hearing because there was some gentleman who wanted it not to be changed to Piestewa Peak. Unity, family unity, is not as close as it used to be anymore.

But once the hispanics, once it sunk in that Lori is half Mexican...she’s also half Hopi. The indigenous people have always been there and have supported us from day one. The hispanic people thought it was awesome to know that she was of that heritage. And they came out in full force. All the different Mexicans went and they supported us at the Senate. And that Senate was so filled with so much love...so much praise and honor for the Native American people. The stereotype of the

Native American people has been raised to so much higher a level since this has happened. Not just for Arizona...not just for the Hopi, but all indigenous people, you know. And that’s been such a long time coming. People have always stereotyped the indigenous people as a lower level people and now we’re almost on an equal ground with the American people who, you know, who say they’re Americans. But, it’s been an awesome trip. We’re on this journey and have been since we lost her,

but I think that if we can help people...if we can console people...if we can help somebody realize that the Lord has a purpose for each and every one of us...we’re all special in our own individual way. And there’s a purpose for us. You know, there’s a purpose for why you and I met...my husband and I met...a purpose for why we have the children. We need to look at the positive side of life, which not so many people do any more. And continue to follow the straight road to find that purpose. And if it’s by going to these different activities to personally thank all those who wept with us...all those who grieved with us...all those who prayed with us, then we’ll continue to do it. And we’re very honored and humbled to be able to do that.

King: Is it taxing, though? Do you feel that in Lori’s name it’s an obligation to go and does it get tiring...?

Percy: You know, it gets tiring but we have to take into consideration the fact that when we were in our deepest grief, so many people...so many veterans groups came and they honored her. At her memorial, the politicians came...they came to the house...We’ve never had such an outpouring of indigenous tribes...all the honor guards that came from South Dakota, Oklahoma, North Dakota... everywhere...they came and they were there for us and they prayed for us and they honored us with their songs. The Aztecs came and prayed at the altar at the memorial when we first lost her. And we feel that, because they were there for us, we in turn want to be able to help them and be there in any way we can and give, like I said, consolation and share our love...share the presence of these two little ones because these two are a joy and they love people. You’ve seen...they hug, they kiss, they love all their aunties and their uncles, and we ask of any community that we go to...we remind

them that it’s inevitable that Terry and I will not be here forever.

You know, the Lord will eventually call us...the Creator will bring us home. And we ask all the communities to please just remember these two little ones...be there for them... remind them who their mother is...remind them that they’re special and continue on with life because, when we’re gone, they will need that support. But they have supported us thus far, and it’s been an awesome journey to be able to go into all the different cultures, the different areas that we go to, to meet all the beautiful people from Florida, from the Dakotas, from Oklahoma, from Montana, from all the places we have been...it’s just been a wonderful journey.

King: What can you say to parents who have young people out there in Iraq now...? What can you say to support Native women...and Native men?

Percy: They need to continue to pray. They need to send packages, they need to send letters...they need to constantly remind them of how proud they are of them for being out there...for fighting for the freedoms that we so often take for granted. I know, when this war first started and we knew Lori was there, we were sending her packages every day and then somebody would say, “Oh, my son’s there,” ... “Oh, my nephew’s there.”...However, they weren’t saying, “I’m sending them stuff...I’m

telling them this and that.” The war didn’t hit home until we lost Lori. And when we lost Lori, not just our family, the whole world lost Lori. Because then it made the indigenous people realize that, “Hey...a Native American person was killed...it could be my son or my daughter...it could be my neighbor’s son or daughter. It could be anybody’s.” And we all have to, again, come together and pray for them...pray for them, pray for them and make sure they know how proud we are of them. Whether it’s by email, whether it’s by letters, whether it’s by sending packages. We need to constantly remind them because they’re not fighting just for our freedom, they’re also now fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi people, and any time you can bring freedom to anyone, it’s something special.

We, I know, take our freedoms for granted so often. But if you looked at those Iraqi children when they came out of the cave, when they first opened that cave up, and they showed on the news when the Iraqi people came up and the parents were looking for their kids. Some of those kids had their ears cut off and stuff because they wouldn’t submit to whatever Saddam was doing to them. But once they came out and the parents got to have their children back and the children got to be back

with their parents...you know, what more can you ask for? It’s not just for weapons of mass destruction. We have to be there for the freedom for those people. Because, you know, we’re fortunate enough to be free...I think God wants everybody to live on this world and be free.

Terry: You know, you and I have been in the military too and you know how important it is to hear from home. And usually you’re waiting every day for something. And sometimes you don’t get anything for a week, and you wonder, “What...did they forget me?” And it kind of brings you down

when you’re out there in the field ‘cause, nobody...they can’t find you wherever you’re at and so, I’ve been there. I’d try to write home a lot and I never did tell them what I did or tell them the experiences I was going through. I’d just tell them that, “Yeah, I’m still here.” A lot of people at home or even if they know people that are in Iraq, it’s good to let them know...just write them a little bit of something. Just to let them know that you’re still behind them and that they still care for you. It makes a soldier feel good to receive something. It may not be something real big or small. I used to enjoy my care packages when they used to come my direction. But it used to take about two weeks or maybe longer and so any time I got my cookies, they were all crumbled up. But, things like that...we as people, if we know who’s there and take time out to find out what their location is, and just give them a

little bit of something just to remind them that we people here, back home, are thinking about them. And, like my wife said, praying for them and telling them to be safe. Because, you never know. And that’s the reason why we always tell people out there, just stand behind your children no matter what the choices they make. Because that’s what they need. We, as parents, need to be there for them. And to tell them how much we care for them. Because, we as a family... we found out that, you know, there comes a day when you can no longer tell them. And that’s what they said in the conference today. The mother said we need to tell our children how much we care for them. I think that’s what hurts the most.

King: Are there any last words you want to give out to the communities. You want to give a message...any “thank you’s”...anything you’d like to share with the Native people?

Terry: Oh, most definitely. Throughout the country, like my wife was saying, we have received letters and cards and prayers and stuff and gifts for the children, and we’re very thankful for that. Not everybody knows that all the stuff that we receive we’re saving so the kids can read and see what the people thought about their mother when they grow up...get old enough where they can understand and read, and just to understand what they thought about their mother. And how many people

throughout the country have done that. So, we’re very, very thankful for this. And we’re so fortunate that we have our grandkids to remind us of their mother. It’s a real, like my wife said, it’s a blessing to have them. You know, we’re not very young any more but we’re starting all over with our grandkids. But it’s gonna be good.

King: Do you see any similarities?

Terry: Oh, much...it’s gone as far as where sometimes I call her (my granddaughter) “Lori”. And that’s how close she is to her. And, of course, she’ll correct me every time I say that.

Percy: A general “thank you” to everybody... to everybody in the whole world. From Alaska to Florida, like I said, if we haven't been...people have sent poems, people have made portraits...they’ve sent the kids quilts with their mother’s picture on it and that includes people who are in the prison system. It’s been awesome. I visited the prison down in Sacaton because they did an awesome...two of the gentlemen there did beautiful blankets with pictures of their mother. We know that, yes, they may have made bad choices but we’re all human. We all make bad choices. But we have to learn from those bad cho://www.nativevoicemedia.com/fullstory.cfm?ID=1053">Fun Stuff!!!