1st woman soldier to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom was 3rd-generation military in her Hopi family
News of the death of the first American woman soldier killed in the Iraq war hit hard in this community on the Navajo Reservation, not far from Hopi land.
The Pentagon identified Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, one of the few American Indian women in the military, as one of eight soldiers found dead during the rescue of POW Jessica Lynch.
[...]
The tragedy has rocked the very foundation of the Hopi reservation since many of us have been continually praying with the Piestewa family for Lori's safe return," Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor.
Many of Tuba City's 8,200 residents have left yellow balloons and signs with uplifting messages outside her parents' home, and officials from the Navajo and Hopi tribes have attended prayer services in honor of her and other military personnel. Hopi officials said that 56 Hopis are currently serving in the U.S. military, 48 of them in Iraq.
"Our family is proud of her. She is our hero," her brother Wayland said to reporters outside the family's home Saturday. "We are going to hold that in our hearts. She will not be forgotten. It gives us comfort to know that she is at peace right now."
Piestewa, 23, was the mother of a 4-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl and a source of pride in her Hopi community.
[...]The others [whose bodies were found with Pfc. Piestewa's] were identified as
Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland;
Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso, Texas;
Spc. James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas;
Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of Amarillo, Texas;
Pvt. Brandon U. Sloan, 19, of Cleveland, and
Sgt. Donald R. Walters, 33, of Kansas City, Mo.
The news today that Private Lori Piestewa was among the dead soldiers from the 507th made me particularly heartsick.
(My fervent prayer is that they were killed in the ambush and died quickly.)
To the spirits of these fine people who gave their last full measure of devotion to their country, I vow that we will not forget you and your sacrifice for freedom will not be in vain.
I know that the Great Spirit was happy to receive your souls into Himself.
May God give you rest and peace and comfort your family and loved ones in their time of loss.
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