“All gave some. Some gave all,” a quote commonly used on Memorial Day, dedicates the day to the men and women who lost their lives to serve and protect the United States. The 20th annual Lori Piestewa Navajo Hopi Honor Run, where motorcyclists will ride throughout the Southwest Aug. 24 to 27, is another way of honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Navajo Hopi Honor Riders, who organize the run, will lead riders from Window Rock, Arizona through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and the Navajo and Hopi Reservations as a way to honor fallen Native service members like Piestewa.
Also participating in the event is the Patriot Guard Riders. Navy veteran Frank Lewis is the area liaison for the Patriot Guard Riders, a federally recognized nonprofit organization that shares the same mission as the NHHR.
Lewis was raised in Durango, Colorado, and is a local business owner. Lewis said he was welcomed by the organization and enjoys the camaraderie of the rides. A highlight of his involvement was leading a group of 450 riders.
The memorial ride begins on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ, then heads west through Keams Canyon and the Hopi Reservation before stopping at the Piestewa home in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The second day of the ride opens with a continental breakfast at the Piestewa home before the riders travel north through Tuba City and Page then east to stop in Kayenta, Arizona.
On the third day, the ride travels north to Utah then into Colorado to Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc. On the final day, the riders travel south through Shiprock before returning to Window Rock.
While in Shiprock, riders are invited to stop from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Shiprock Chapter House for an event honoring the Gold Star families of SFC Kenneth W. Westbrook, Sgt. Marshall A. Westbrook, Sgt. Clifton Yazzie, Cpl. Lyle Cambridge, Sgt. Lee D. Todacheene and Cpl. Wayne H. Tsosie. Lewis will act as master of ceremony at the event.
According to an Ellora Larsen article on the National Museum of the United States Army website, Piestewa was the first Native female soldier to die in combat on foreign soil. She was part of the 507th Maintenance Company that was ambushed after taking a wrong turn in a convoy in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
There are several memorials and events honoring Piestewa: the Phoenix, Arizona trail renamed Piestewa Peak, and the Wear Blue: Run to Remember Piestewa Challenge at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, in which teams run 177 miles to honor the 177 women who have given their lives in combat operations around the world since 9/11.
In Larsen’s article, Piestewa’s oldest brother, Wayland, said, “My sister is a warrior because she did the right thing, the honorable thing: going to Iraq when she didn’t have to, because she felt it was the ethical and moral thing to do. That’s what being a warrior is about: doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult and means sacrifice.”
According to the NHHR website, the organization provides a variety of services for Native American veterans killed in action, including funeral services, welcome home events and help with home improvements or remodeling projects for service members dealing with service-related physical and mental disabilities.
The organization also builds awareness for returning veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties faced by returning veterans or surviving families.
The honor ride continues the tradition of honoring those who have sacrificed everything.
All are invited to the join event, and there is no fee to participate. For more information, visit www.navajohopihonorriders.com/faq/annualrun.
