Mother, Daughter, Friend, Warrior

For those of you who have followed ABC's Extreme Make-over, Home Edition, this is probably old news, but I would like to post something positive to counterbalance the negative vibes which have been generated by Katrina. There are several stories wrapped within this one, each which could stand on it's on merits, each one an example of all that is good in the human condition.
First, let me introduce with great fondness our ersatz hero, Jessica Lynch. Now, I highlighted this veteran of the invasion of Iraq as a hapless girl caught in an ambush on her supply convoy "behind" enemy lines. She suffered extensive injuries, was captured, and in the media madness that surrounded her "daring" rescue from an Iraqi hospital that was already seeking to turn her back over to the Americans, was labeled a hero.



I have to hand it to Jessica; not once in this sad circus did she ever claim to be anything but unlucky, and attempted to point out who the real hero of this debacle was, her good friend and comrade in arms, PFC Lori Piestewa, a Navaho mother of two who became the first female Native American soldier to die in a foreign war, as she navigated her Humvee through gunfire and debris when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. If I remember the story correctly, Lori was able to bring her weapon to bare and put up a fight before she was killed by enemy fire. Jessica was injured, in shock, and her weapon had jammed, so there was not much this poor girl, soldier or not, could do in the way of heroics.



Lori and told jessica of her dream to build a home for her Parents and her children, and Jessica did not forget Lori's promise. She got connected with Extreme Makeover and together with alot of good people, Jessica was able to help fulfill Lori's promise. The Piestewa family was living in an old double wide mobile home on rented Reservation property, but now they have a home most of us could only dream of, on five wonderful acres with a view of the land and sky that Native Americans have always known to appreciate. They even have a corral for an unbroken mustang that only the little girl has managed to ride. Jessica Lynch is now a hero, and I will always think of her that way.



But this is not the end to the story. While the crew was in town, they happened to encounter many of the Native American Veterans of past conflicts, from WWII, Korea, as well as Nam and Iraq. Most inspiring were the old "Code Talkers", that buffaloed the Japanese code breakers with their strange language and own personal codes. These guys helped save thousands of the very race and culture that had long oppressed them, and are some of the most patriotic men this country could ever be proud to claim. But you know, as is often the case with our Native Americans, these guys didn't even have a place to gather to share their legacy with each other and the upcoming generations. Well, thanks to the Extreme Make-over Team and the help of some fine talented architects, these old warriors now have a fantastic Native American Veterans center to call their own, a place I would love to visit and pay homage to these amazing people.



Watching this episode was a real tear jerker for me. So many of our veterans get such precious little recognition for the sacrifices they endured in serving their country, especially these men who in essence were serving their own conquerers. I truly wish that the sacrifice that Lori Piestewa made was truly not in vain, but I will honor her memory as a true warrior in the best Navaho tradition. And Jessica, thank you for being there for you friend to help her make good on her promise. You have earned your place in the halls of Valhalla.