Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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Native American Women in the U.S. Armed Forces Washington Memorial to Honor Military Service of Native American Woman, Private Lori Piestewa

Native American Women in the U. S. Armed Forces are the focus of a new exhibit set to open at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial in Washington, DC, this Memorial Day, May 26, 2003. Through text, pictures and artifacts, the exhibit will tell the story of Native American women's service to the nation. Also featured will be the personal stories of six Native American women, including that of Operation Iraqi Freedom hero Private First Class Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman and the first known Native American military woman killed in battle. TriWest Healthcare Alliance, a military health care contractor headquartered in Phoenix, AZ (Private Piestewa's home state), is a major sponsor of the exhibit. The exhibit is a two-phased project, with the opening of the second phase coinciding with the 2004 dedication of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.

In announcing the opening of the first phase, retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, president of the Women's Memorial Foundation, said, "The stories of Native American military women are a unique and important part of the larger story of women's service to the nation. We've been working toward the opening of this project for sometime. When we learned of Private Piestewa's death, we knew we needed to preserve her memory for the American public. We needed to complete the exhibit and make her a part of it. Her heroism and sacrifice were our incentive. When TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre called to ask how he could help, we knew we could make it happen."

According to Mr. McIntyre, "We've been pleased to have a long association with the Women's Memorial and to support them in their efforts to tell the remarkable story of women's service to the nation. We are especially pleased that Native American military women are the focus of this newest exhibit and that Private First Class Piestewa will be included. She is, indeed, a hero to her family, for those of us here in Arizona, and for America. It is a fitting tribute to her and TriWest is proud to be a part of it." TriWest Healthcare Alliance is the largest Defense contractor based in Arizona and has been providing health care for military families in the region, including Private Piestewa's home station of Fort Bliss, TX, for some seven years.

The exhibit will open on May 26, 2003, with a formal ceremony scheduled for 3:30 P.M. The Women's Memorial is located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. For more information about the Memorial or the Native American women's exhibit, call 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155 or visit the Women's Memorial web site.

Contact: WIMS Public Relations, telephone: 703-533-1155, toll free: 800-222-2294, or FAX: 703-931-4208.