Readers offer condolences, prayers, support

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2003

Ed. Note: Indianz.Com can be reached at indianz@indianz.com -- your e-mails will be sent to the Piestewa family. Cards and letters can be mailed to Percy Piestewa, P.O. Box 957, Tuba City, AZ 86045. Flower and other items can also be mailed, care of, to the Tuba City Unified School District, P.O. Box 67, Tuba City, AZ 86045. UPS or FedEx accepted at School District address.

She's Our Hero Too
I am a teacher at Wirt County Primary Center and a cousin of Jessica Lynch. We know she and Lori were friends. We wish the story could be different for your family too. Lori is our Hero. We thank you for her and that she gave her life to give us freedom.

Helen Hill

A Source of Pride
Me and my wife and children extend to you our deepest sympathy. We share your pain and sorrow and we will keep you in our thouhts and prayers. Indian Country has lost a true warrior. Your family should be extremely proud of her. She unselfishly gave her life so that we can enjoy our freedom. To me that really says alot about her character. Please know that I along with all of Indian Country mourn your loss. I too have lost a daughter so I realize what you are going through. LORI IS A HERO AND A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR ALL OF US. She may be gone but she will never be forgotten.

May god bless your family always.

Emmett Whiteman Emmett Whiteman

Our Sorrow
To the Piestewa Family and the Hopi and Navajo Communities,

A wise man said once to one in deep sorrow, "I did not come to comfort you; only the Creator can do that; but I did come to say how deeply and tenderly I feel for you in your affliction."

With great sorrow for the loss of your daughter,

Heather McIlvaine-Newsad and Paul Litow

A Great American Hero
Let Lori Piestewa always be a great American hero. Let all Americans know what she has done here this day. Let her be bravery be an inspiration to all Americans. Let her name ring out with pride for Native Americans and all Americans across this great nation for which she has sacrificed. Let God protect her children and keep them safe. Let her name be never forgotten. Let God receive her soul. And let her rest in peace, forever.

Brian Clothier
Baldwin Park, CA

Deepest Sympathy
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Lori Ann. She put her hopes and dreams on hold for a great cause and now hers will never be fulfilled. May you know that I'm very proud of her even though I did not know her. I hope you find comfort in the fact a grateful nation appreciates everything that she done for them. Your daughter was a true hero and will not be forgotten.

May God hold her in his hand and I will hold her in my prayers.

Barb Willett
Madison, Indiana

A Connection
Dear Piestewa family,

I wanted to take a moment to grieve with - and for - your family.

I have a dear friend who grew up in Tuba City. When I heard Margaret Erhart�s story on NPR yesterday morning, I felt a personal connection. My husband and I both broke down and cried.

I am so very, very sorry for your loss. I don�t know what else to say. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this tragic time. I�m so sorry.

Sincerely,

Kathi Jenness

From a Mother
Please know that my tears have fallen and I grieve with you in the loss of your beautiful daughter, sister, mother. My heart aches only as a mother's heart can ache with the pain of knowing that strangers have inflicted pain on our children and taken them from us. I also have a daughter serving in the Air Force and I know not where she is. We are of the Sicangu (Burnt Thigh) Lakota of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. We know that Tunkasila (Grandfather) has Lori in the warmth and comfort of his being and I pray that this brings comfort to her family. I pray that the horror of this conflict will end soon. My daughter is TSgt. Jacquelynn White Hat and together with our family, we want you to know that you will remain in our hearts and prayers.

TSgt. Jacquelynn White Hat, USAF, and I am her mother, Isabella Guerue

Called to Duty
To the Piestewa Family,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I am a Mohawk Indian from Kahnawake....a reservation in the province of Quebec, Canada.

We have a several young people from our community that have been called to duty in this war. Just that alone is hard enough...let alone losing someone.

My heart goes out to Lori's children.

Jean

Forever to be remembered
She will always be in the air we breathe
The songs we sing
She will be in the prayers that are said
The fallen angel that will always be
She is what the creator brought to us
The warrior to defend our nation
She is in the hearts of all
The one who will never be forgotten.

Our love to her family and children

A friend and sister to her always,

babymisfit and family

Sent To the Garden of Angels
My condolescences to the Piestewa family. As a veteran of Desert Storm and a Native American woman, I understand the sacrifices made to her family in order to serve our country. Lori's life will continue in her children and her spirit in the hearts of those who knew her. Just as we pick beautiful flowers, God also selects the best for his garden of angels.

E. Corley (Dine)

Death was Not in Vain
Dear Family,

I am a member of American War Mothers Chapter 15, Oklahoma. I am Mvskoke Creek. My heart goes out to you and your family in the tragic loss of your courageous daughter.

You are in my prayers.

American Indians have a legacy of being brave warriors, your family carries the hurt, pride and continuation of that history.

Today as we witnessed the downfall of Saddam Hussein we are reassured that your daughter's sacrifice was not in vain.

Sincerely,

Ramona Mason
Indian Woman of the Year 2003
Tulsa, Oklahoma