If you are a praying person, please join my friends and me in saying a remembrance prayer for the women, nurses, and female soldiers who have served, and for those who are deployed right now. The face of the military has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, and as you know mothers, sisters, daughters are now also in direct harm’s way.
For instance, this weekend, in pow wow ceremonies Lori Piestewa whose company was ambushed near Nasiriyah, Iraq, will be remembered again in solemn ceremonial drum-chants and dances across America… whereby all Native American war veterans, of which there are many many old men, young men and women, will present the Honor Dance and cry out their singing prayers for all those who have gone to war and for those who have not come home. Including the women soldiers who have fallen in war.
As you know, before the Iraq/ Afghanistan wars, many of our best young go-getters had joined the US National Guard in order to gain a supplemental income for their families. When they were called up, they went to honor their oaths taken. Lori Piestewa, a Hopi Indian from Tuba City, Arizona, served and died in Southern Iraq. She was a mother with a son then 4, and a daughter, 3.
Hers is only one story out of literally millions of women who have served in war across the world.
Here is a prayer sent by one of the other women who served two tours in Iraq. She is a Laguna Indian, and her prayer is beautiful for all souls
“To Lori and Family,
Thank you so much sister for guiding me in and out of Iraq. I have thus survived two tours and do not plan to return. I prayed to our spirits above and remembered you in prayer always. I had a bracelet made with your name on it and wore it with pride and the great spirit that helped guide me along the path. I have safely returned and would like to say “thank you” again for your help downrange. “Goo meh” (be brave) to all of your family members and to all the Native Americans who will hopefully return from Iraq safely….
SFC DeJesus (Laguna Pueblo) stationed in Ft. Bliss, TX 14 Mar 10″
SFC Demetria DeJesus of El Paso, TX
CODA
you can note in photo, ceremonial feather bundles atop the flag, Native American women in full dress military uniform; all persons in photo are Native American, with exception of two tourists with cameras. What cannot be seen in this photo, is the long long procession of vets and native people lined up behind and fore preparing for the huge ceremony: the honor dance, which is a pride and joy and sorrow to behold, all.