Letters of Support for Lori Piestewa and family

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2003

Ed. Note: These are some notes of support for Lori Piestewa, the Hopi soldier missing in action in Iraq, her family and others serving in the military. If you have any words of support, you can send them to indianz@indianz.com.

From L.Gashwazra, Sr. & Family, Greasewood Clan, Old Oraibi, Arizona: My family and I have been keeping up with the news hoping and praying that Lori will be found soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with her children and family as they go through this ordeal. May our Heavenly Father be watching over her and keeping her safe.

From The Spielman's: My family's prayers go out to Lori's family. I was stationed at Ft. Bliss for a short time in 1975, before I went to Germany. I kind of know what you are going through as I had friends who served in Viet Nam. I know that these few words won't stop your worrying but know that the Great Spirit will watch over her. We will continue to send our prayers for Lori.

From Krayna Alfredl: To Ms. Piestewa: I am Eulalia "Leia" Claw's daughter, Krayna Alfredl. My mother and I are sad to hear about your daughter, Lori. She is in our hopes and prayers. My mother send her regards.

From Aaron: I want to put my thoughts and prayers out to Lori's family and friends. I don't know her. But I do know someone who does. And I can see the effects of her missing within my friend. I am also a soldier and I do believe that with her training in the military, and her learning experience from her life, she will make it out ok. I am not a native but I am trying my best to understand the ways of "the people". I do beleive with all the support behind her and the strength in which she has gained througout her life she will be home soon.

From Byron at the Southern Ute Tribe, Colorado: From where the sun sits today, being with family members I wish to extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to Ms. Piestewa and here family during these heart clenching times. We pray for her safe wellbeing, we pray she come back to her family in one spirit safely. We pray to turn things over to our higher power to keep our mind, body and spirit strong. To the Family of Ms. Lori Piestewa thank you for your daughters dedication and warrior spirit to protect all our familys safe. People have to forget the political issues, persons that protest have taken the idea of Freedom for granted. Yesterday, Today and soon that their are young native american warriors proud to serve for their familys. WE pray for leaders to help them see through the smoke, make a quick sound decisions. Thank you for the oppurtunity to express myself.

From Paul: We have been praying for Lori and her family. Tonight we will be in ceremony asking the Manitous to be with her and give her a safe journey home to her people. We will also pray for peace so that the tragic loss of life for all Nations can be brought to an end. Please, take some comfort in knowing we do care. Howah

From Ted Silverhand: Lori,roll with the punches,you are one of us.Remenber you come from good strong stock

From Thinkon908: Our prayers are with Lori. May god give her courage. And may her captors show her mercy.

From a Wyoming mother: I would just like to express my prayers and regards to the family of Army private, Lori Piestewa. I read about the latest news on those soldiers captured from the 507th Maintenance Company out of Ft. Bliss, Texas. It really made me feel like I had to send my comments, because, I have a daughter deployed from Ft. Bliss, TX. Her deployment was in the latter part of February. She is enrolled in the Northern Arapaho Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. PFC Kateri Warren Betts is her name. So, I pray for all military personnel serving our country at this time and send my regards to the Piestewa family in Arizona.

From Lila in Canada: Our thoughts are with Lori, all the other members of her unit, and all those who may be in harm's way.

Know that a drum prayer song will be sent out this evening for all those who are in need of our love and prayers.

Meegwetch,
Wasauksing, Ontario, Canada

From jacksta on the message board: I am worried about Lori. She is in my thoughts and my prayers.

From Bella on the message board: I hope for Lori Piestewa's safe return home.

From ndn218 on the message board: I'm putting my tobacco out for her until we hear some concrete news.

From Glenda in Shawnee, Oklahoma: I have a daughter the same age as Lori, who had signed on with the US Marine Corp. She blew her knee out and had to have major surgery which kept her from going in... I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through but please know that Lori as well as our others, are in our thoughts and prayers...

From Nadine on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, Northern California: Prayers, Hopes and all our Support for our Sister Lori and her Family! As a Mother, Sister and Daughter I burn sage for you all!

From darlene: Will keep you and your loved ones in my smudges.

From John Burnette and Family, Rosebud Reservation, Mission, South Dakota: To Lori and Family, Words can not express the Respect and Graditude we carry in our hearts for you. We feel the Lord will bring you home safe. All our prayers are with you and your family.

From Homer Wiggins in Virginia: I am praying to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha to watch over Lori and pray that she may be strong as well as her family and all of us who want her and all the troops to be clear of harm's way. Support our troops----SEND THEM HOME!!!!!!

From K. Gachupin of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, via Maryland: When I heard the news about Lori, I felt that I had to send a note. I have been thinking about her a lot and praying she is alright. She is a brave young woman and I acknowledge her for that. My thoughts and prayers to the Piestewa family as well as the 507th Maintenance crew. I pray for their safe return home. God bless...

The Turtle Mountain Community College, Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota, hosts a page of tribal members in the military. Visit the Operation Iraqi Freedom page.

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma is running a "Support our Troops" program from its web site. Visit http://www.aicco.org/troops.asp to send your letters, care packages and special requests.

Related Stories:
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)