She was a daughter first. She became a sister, a mother, a friend, a co-worker. She ended up being a national hero.

Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa was the first Native American woman to die in combat fighting for the United States.

On Saturday, a memorial was held where more than 5,000 people showed up in a remote part of Arizona to pay their respects. Attendees included Arizona’s governor, Janet Napolitano, and the Arizona First District congressman, Rick Renzi.

A movement to rename Squaw Peak (a derogatory term for Native American women), to Piestewa Peak has begun in our state’s capital (with much resistance, unfortunately).

Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa was a Hopi but was a part of the Navajo and Hopi communities (the Hopi nation actually lies in the middle of the Navajo nation).

At her memorial, a program of the day’s events given to all who attended contained a simple “Hopi Prayer”.

A HOPI PRAYER

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on the ripened grind. I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry: I am not there, I did not die.