Sunrise Service Honors Fallen Hopi Soldier

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Former prisoner of war Patrick Miller, who served with the late Army Spec. Lori Piestewa,
is comforted at Thursday's memorial service by Lori's mother, Percy Piestewa.

Sunrise service honors fallen Hopi soldier

Angela Cara Pancrazio
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 23, 2006 06:59 PM

They were the last ones to see Army Spec. Lori Ann Piestewa alive.

At the sunrise memorial service Thursday honoring her, after the prayers, the drumming, speeches and a blessing by the medicine man, the former prisoners of war stood below Piestewa Peak, named for the fallen soldier and their friend: Jessica Lynch, Joseph Hudson, Shoshana Johnson and Patrick Miller.

There was silence as the four honored guests stood before those who had gathered in the early morning at the ramada to remember Piestewa and all other veterans that have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Piestewa's father and mother, Terry and Percy, had faced the four and told them, "We are all one, we thank God for bringing Joe Hudson, Patrick, Shoshana and Jessica."Hudson sensed the admiration of the crowd who had shook his hand and asked for his autograph and said: "The four of us are not heroes. Heroes do not come back to tell their stories..."

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