By Roy Cook

Northern Arizona along the Hopi mesas: Hopi Veterans Affair Director Geno Talas was joined by Hopi and Tewa retired military in hosting a full agenda with a motor parade and posting of colors by Hopi High School JROTC Color Guard, the National Anthem sung by reigning Miss Hopi 2011-2012 April Pavinyama, a special Flag Honor Song by the Bear Shield Singers, a Tewa honor song by Randall Mahle, musical performance by Sun Fire Band and a photo-video montage by Kassondra Yaiva, with Master of Ceremony duties shared by Bruce Talawyma and Randall Mahle with a brief message from Leroy Shingoitewa, Chairman of the Hopi Tribe.

Opening prayer was given by Phillip Quochytewa, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, with a special presentation given to the families of Orville Wadsworth and Rex Pooyouma families. Both Wadsworth and Pooyouma were the last living Hopi Codetalkers, utilizing their Hopi language to help win the war for the United States and have been recognized and honored this past year by the entire Hopi Tribe for their military contribution.

There were two very special moments at the Hopi celebration, one to honor the "Missing/Killed in Action" personnel and one to honor the current active military members of Hopi and Tewa descent.

A very special T-shirt booth was also highlighted at the Hopi Reservation event, which premiered a new name for the local Hopi Post No. 80, which is now formally known as "Lori Piestewa Hopi Post No. 80," to honor the late Lori Ann Piestewa.

Piestewa was a young Hispanic-Hopi woman soldier from Tuba City who died in March 2003 under ambush fire. Piestewa was a single mother of two small children and noted as being the first Native American woman soldier to die in active battle in the current war conflict. Piestewa has been celebrated by national and local media events since 2003, including renaming a mountain located near Phoenix, Arizona to honor her and all Native American veterans service. The formerly called "Squaw Peak" is now called "Piestewa Peak." Piestewa's parents, Terry and Priscilla Piestewa were also featured in a television special and given a new home in Flagstaff to help raise Piestewa's two small children who were left behind, through the ABC show, "Extreme HomeMakeOver."

Camo-tan colored T-shirts with the new Hopi legion post name of "Lori Piestewa" were selling fast and can be purchased by contacting Eugene Talas, USAF Retired, Commander of Legion Post No. 80 or from Anthony Honahnie, USA Vice Commander by calling (928) 737-1834 or by emailing hopivets@yahoo.com or by writing to : American Legion Post No. 80, P.O. 466, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039.

They are $10 for small to x-large sizes and for XXL size, $12 dollars plus shipping.

Following is a list of Missing or Killed in Action

US Army -

Capt. Tricia Hale, SFC Francisco Mata Jr, SFC Shelly M Dawahoya, SSgt Shirlene Teutupe, SSgt Leroy Outah,

SSgt Crystal Honyumptewa, SSgt Jamie Lomahoynaya, SSgt Aaron Milford, Sgt Gayver M Puhuyesva, Sgt Loren Nelson,

Sgt Victor Medrano, Jr, Sgt Jeanette L. Nastacio, Sgt Doy Tootsie, Sgt Gary Montoya, Sgt Jared Shupla,

Sgt Dean Gashwazra, Spec Malcolm Puhuhefva, Spec Christopher O. Sahu, Spec Malcolm Lonnie, Spec Orlando Outah,

Spec Miranda Medrano, Spec Vanessa Van Winkle, Spec Willie Benally, Spec Ramone Addington,

Cpl Marcus O. Williams, PFC Erica Sekayumptewa, PFC Hester Sekayumptewa, PFC Howard T. Sakiestewa Jr,

PFC George Trottier, PFC Stetson Dick, Crystal Talayumptewa, Bonito Gene.

US Marine Corps -

1st Sgt Ira DeJesus, SSgt Jonathan Coochyumptewa, SSgt Juanita Garcia, Sgt Melanie Arendall,

Sgt Kyle Pahona, L/Cpl Harlan Naha, Pvt Alexandra Smith.

US Navy -

QM1 Jason Silas, PO2 Averill Hamana, CPO Ian Masayesva, HT3 Doniel Salgado, AO Edmernson Jacket,

HN Urian Thompson, SN Keshia Susunkewa, Tamara Dempsey.

US Air Force -

TSgt Carla Talashie-Moreno, USgt Yvonne Forsyth, TSgt Brandall Selestewa,

SSgt Daniel Honanie, SSgt Duane H. Chaca, Jr. SSgt Dianne E. Schaff, SrA Trudy R. Nasetoynewa,

SrA Darren J. Schaff, A1C Anthony Harris.

We respect and honor you all for your service for our people and this land.

Thanks to: http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/