I received this from my father and wanted to pass it on. Although we are not of Hopi decent (Apache / Cherokee) we all feel the special significance that this beautiful Hopi warrior brings to the war.
The first American woman killed in Iraq is Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa. She is American Indian and one of eight soldiers found during the rescue of POW Jessica Lynch, who was Lori's room mate at Ft. Bliss, El Paso , Texas. Lori was 23 years of age.. the mother of a four year old son and a three year old daughter. She lived in Tuba City, Arizona and was a member of the Hopi Nation. There are currently 56 Hopis serving in the Us military... 48 are in Iraq. Lori is believed to be the first American Indian woman ever to be killed in combat..for the United States military..There is great sadness and pride in the land of her ancestors.
On the day that Lori's death was confirmed by the Army a light snow fell in Tuba City, her hometown. According to Hopi beliefs, the soul of a person who has led a good and honorable life returns to Hopi land in the form of precipitation. In Hopi, Piestewa is defined as the rainwater that collects on the desert floor after a heavy downpour...
Lori Piestewa came home that day......
Lori's Prayer
Creator, we ask that you will guide her journey .
Open to her your arms...and hold her in your heart...
The smoke from the sweetgrass floats .... high with the wings of
eagles to your eyes ....
seeking your blessings for this mother,
this child of your Creation,
this brave one...
Greet her with the words of a warrior
coming home ....
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"Lahn dádzaayú nahikai leh ni' nyelíí k'ehge," Goyathlay (Geronimo)
"Once we moved like the Wind"
"Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar." This call and spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice was quoted by Churchill in his first broadcast as Prime Minister to the British people on the BBC - May 19, 1940, London.