The Phoenix community held a memorial event honoring fallen soldiers, with a focus on Native American contributions. According to Phoenix New Times, the event recognized Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Her family attended, and her son, Brandon Whiterock, spoke about remembering the past and carrying forward its legacy. A riderless white horse decorated with Indigenous symbols represented Piestewa’s Hopi heritage and honored those lost in battle.
The Piestewa family participated in the memorial, emphasizing inclusivity and remembrance. Percy Piestewa compared the community to a family that gathers, separates, and reunites. Meanwhile, Harvey Pratt, chief of the Southern Cheyenne tribe, raised concerns about the Pentagon's handling of veteran web pages. He described the situation as sad and stated, "People are being hurt," as reported by USA Today.
The Pentagon removed and then restored DEI-related content under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive, including pages honoring Native American warriors like the Navajo Code Talkers and Lori Piestewa. The decision drew criticism from minority communities and advocates, with Kyle Bibby, co-founder of the Black Veterans Project, stating, "It's meant to, I believe, be disrespectful to Black veterans," in an interview with USA Today. The changes are part of a broader debate over diversity initiatives in the military, while efforts continue in Phoenix and other communities to recognize Piestewa and other minority service members.
