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MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2003

A light snow was reported in northeastern Arizona over the weekend, a sign in Hopi culture of the return of one's spirit.

To the Hopi and Navajo communities who have kept vigil for two weeks, the flakes marked the spirit of Lori Ann Piestewa, 23. The mother of two was confirmed dead last week, an Army private first class "killed in action" in Iraq.

"When a Hopi is deceased, she comes back to the home mesas," Hopi chairman Wayne Taylor told The Washington Post on Saturday. "The spirit returns to the community and the family in the form of moisture. And this is Lori coming back."

Get the Story:
Hopi Soldier's Spiritual Return Home (The Washington Post 4/7)
Tribes find common ground in sorrow (USA Today 4/7)
Hopi soldiers face internal conflict (The El Paso Times 4/7)
In Tuba City, Ariz., Pride and Sorrow (The Washington Post 4/6)
Somber Epilogue to Daring Rescue (The Washington Post 4/6)
Tuba City honors its hero (The Arizona Republic 4/6)
Tuba City takes news of GI death hard (The Arizona Daily Sun 4/6)
Piestewa, Lynch were friends (AP 4/6)
Defense Department confirms death of Tuba City GI in Iraq (The Arizona Republic 4/5)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Piestewa killed in action in Iraq (4/7)
Indian Country mourns oss (4/7)
Letters: 'Our nation has lost a great hero' (4/7)

Department of Defense News Release:
Piestewa ambushed Mar. 23 (Dod 4/5)

Related Stories:
Hopi Woman Confirmed Dead (4/5)
Readers react to Piestewa tragedy (4/5)
Letters of Support Lori Piestewa and Family(4/4)
Piestewa: 'When is his mom coming home?' (4/4)
Rescued soldier has no information on Piestewa (4/4)
Military begins difficult identification process (4/4)
Rescued soldier watched unit members die (4/3)
Fellow Piestewa unit member rescued in Iraq (4/2)
Vigil held in Ariz. for missing Hopi soldier (3/27)
Hopi Tribe prays for return of missing soldier (3/26)
Piestewa Family Letter: Thank you for prayers (3/26)
Ariz. soldier reported missing (3/25)