By Roy
Cook, Emcee
A
tribute to Women Warriors, Veterans and Native American tribal heritage
was held in the Veterans Hospital
(VAMC) area of operation Thursday November 20th, 2003, La Jolla, CA. The
employees of the Native American Program (NAP) organize this annual event.
Elders and Military groups, American Indian Warriors Association (AIWA)
participated in this cultural celebration and tribute to our Native American
Veterans and all Warriors that defend our Mother Earth.
The morning first activity was outside at the medicine wheel. The VAMC
Director Garry Rossio addressed the assembled group with a welcoming statement.
Jamul Village Honored Elder Jane Dumas presented a prayer in the local
Kumeyaay language. Current construction was a constant reminder of the
growing medical needs of our fellow warriors of all conflicts.
Moving into the VAMC
facilities multi-purpose room the Chinle Navaho Gourd Society Color Guard
posted the colors as the Flag song, Victory song and National Anthem filled
the air with patriotism.
Host
drum: Nikwaneem Singers, Cori Roberts, Perse Hooper, Kitty Luna set the
theme, Honoring Women Warriors. Intertribal songs and traditional dancing
commenced and offered an insight to the Native American culture. Additionally,
Veterans and employees enjoyed the opportunities to be entertained and
enjoy a slice of original American heritage. NAP member, Jerry Wilkerson
danced in full regalia. He is dancing in recognition of the AIWA contributions
to this event by the late Chet Hunt, USMC. Later in the afternoon he was
joined by, twenty year retired Navy Chief, Richard Parker Van Dyke, Omaha,
also in full regalia.
Further, in the afternoon,
the Aztec dancers and drummers presented yet another facet of the cross-cultural
heritage of the late Lori Piestewa, Hispanic. Mexican culture has touched
many Native American and others lives in the greater southwest.

Also at this time
the NAP members and friends shared hot coffee and fried bread with all
the attendees to the event. This is a no cost, wonderful, generous, example
of Native American hospitality.
The
afternoon continued with songs by the host Nikwaneem Singers
and visiting drums, Bearheel Singers and Red Warriors. Formal
recognition of visitors and dignitaries took place with presentations
by Obed Fernandez, Multicultural representative of the VAMC Director.
Steve Campbell, U.
S. Army Special Forces, ret. presented Indian flute songs. As the tribute
came to an end appropriate songs included a veteran's song and a memorial
song for the late honored Army PFC Lori Ann Piestewa.
She was killed in combat when her support convoy, Army 507th Maintenance
Company, was ambushed near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Piestewa,
23, was the mother of two young children, and her death again raised the
question of the role of women in combat.
While in Iraq, reports say when their Humvee transport broke down, the
team made quick repairs and were on their way to Nasiriyah when they made
a wrong turn and were ambushed.
While Lynch was injured and captured, later to be the subject of a reported
daring rescue, it is unclear how Lori Piestewa died.
For American Indians,
there are times when their culture runs opposite to the mainstream.
For the Piestewa family, it was bringing Lori home to her final resting
place. The Hopi bury the dead immediately after their death - sometimes
the same day. Lori's body wasn't discovered until 12 days after she was
killed. The Army kept her remains for an autopsy and the investigation.
But when a relative was sent to escort Lori's body home, they were surprised
when the body was released almost immediately.
Carla is Lori's 3-year-old
daughter. She said her mother came to her after her death and told her
young daughter she wasn't coming home. In the visitation, Carla apparently
was told about the ambush. Carla's question is why did "they" shot her
mother.
Carla and her brother, Brandon, 4, both Hopi-Navajo have lived with their
Hopi grandparents, Terry and Percy, since Lori enlisted in the United
States Army.
The state of Arizona renamed a state capital area mountain peak and a
freeway to honor Piestewa. Squaw Peak in north-central Phoenix will be
renamed Piestewa Peak.
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