Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial

Brandon Piestewa carries mother’s legacy at annual memorial - Navajo Times For Brandon Piestewa, the annual memorial honoring his mother, Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa has become more than a ceremony. It is where grief, memory and purpose meet.

Tomorrow, March 23rd, 2026 many will travel from across the state to come together in honor of Lori Piestewa, her family, and to remember our fallen while recognizing our veterans and POWs.

Prayers for safe travels and abundant blessings throughout this meaningful day of remembrance and recognition.

As long as we speak their names and share their stories, they are never forgotten.

The national "Wear Blue - Run To Remember" organization has again invited the Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial committee and affiliated groups to the 2026 Piestewa Challenge, March 23 to March 29. This is sponsored by the Wear Blue Run to Remember national organization in coordination with the committee, and has a similar mission:



1. The sacrifice of Lori Piestewa is one of the chief motivational factors for both events which honor all our fallen heroes or all fallen women warriors.



2. Wear Blue Run to Remember instituted the challenge to honor Lori and the 179 servicewoman that died in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Lori was the first in Iraq to make the ultimate sacrifice.



3. The sudden increase in deaths comes at a time when the military “informally” started allowing women to serve in combat roles. The public is not fully aware of this. The Piestewa Challenge works to raise this awareness.



4. The Piestewa Committee helps sponsor Circles of Remembrance and morning and afternoon climbs to the summit of Piestewa Peak in honor of our fallen women heroes. The initial kickoff in Phoenix is at our sunrise service on March 23.



5. The committee works to help register members and affiliated groups for the Piestewa Challenge.



Accordingly, all committee members are urged to form teams or register individually for the Piestewa Challenge at https://racery.com/r/piestewa/registration as soon as possible and up until March 23. Please include your friends, co-workers, Facebook friends, and associates.



We form teams of up to 8, and walk, run, bicycle, swim, exercise or use other means of motion to cover 250 miles on a team basis from March 23 to March 29, 2026. Each mile can stand for one of our fallen women that have made the ultimate sacrifice. 250 miles is also the distance from Piestewa Peak to the Hopi Reservation.

We can do this on our own as part of our team, or with others. For example, each member of Ken Koshio’s group (the Koshio Gumbi team) will be climbing Piestewa Peak together every day as their way of covering 250 miles as a group.



Lisa Hallett, the Director of the nationwide program, has chosen Arizona and Piestewa Peak as the center of the challenge. We should be proud.

150 teams have already been formed nationally. Local teams that have openings include

Piestewa Peak I

Piestewa FamAz

AGSM - Arizona Gold Star Mothers

For Our Sisters

You may also form your own team, and call it what you like. Please let me know of all new teams and who signs up for them so that we can refer others to your team. We will keep track of team efforts and email updates periodically.

Thank you.

Ernest - 602 312-8663

Register now! wear blue: run to remember Piestewa Challenge Thank you for joining the 2026 wear blue: run to remember Piestewa Challenge! This year, your team of up to eight will move 250 miles from the Hopi Reservation

🇺🇸 23rd Annual Piestewa Fallen Heroes Sunrise Service & Luncheon 🇺🇸

Join us as we honor the 23rd year that SPC Lori Piestewa “gave all” in service to our country, and remember all of America’s fallen heroes.

🌄 Sunrise Service: 6:30 AM at Piestewa Peak
🍽️ Luncheon: 12:00–3:00 PM at American Legion Post 41 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 41

Gourd Dance 2 to 4 pm at Grant Park next to American Legion Post 41

This sacred annual memorial honors our Fallen Heroes, Gold Star Families, Active Duty, Veterans, and POW/MIA. The event is open to the public.

A hero is never forgotten as long as we speak their name and tell their story. 💛

📩 Gold Star Families planning to attend or with questions may contact
Jim Covarrubias, Chair — [email protected]

Corrected flyer. Monday March 23rd. Save the date and share.

As we approach the 23rd anniversary of SPC Lori Piestewa’s sacrifice, we pause to honor not only her legacy, but the sacred and beautiful strength of Native American culture — rooted in reverence, resilience, and deep respect for life, service, and community. Lori’s spirit continues to guide our mission to remember, honor, and love our fallen heroes.

📅 Save the Date: March 23, 2026
Join us for the 23rd Annual Piestewa Fallen Heroes Sunrise Service & Gold Star Luncheon — a day filled with sacred reverence, enduring love, and heartfelt remembrance of our Fallen Heroes, Military, Veterans, POWs, and their families.

More details coming soon — stay connected as we prepare for a powerful day of honor, love, and grace.

It started before sunrise — the city glowing as posters went up and committee members from the Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial, along with many volunteers and Gold Star Families, organized by Wear Blue Run to Remember, showed up with full hearts at the Rock ’n’ Roll Phoenix Half Marathon. 🇺🇸

Runners first encountered 167 images of our Fallen Military Heroes lining both sides of a one-mile stretch of the course. Then they were met by waving flags, each one bearing the name of a hero — a powerful reminder of the lives behind the sacrifice.

A hero is never forgotten as long as we speak their name and tell their story.

This Friday, it will be a night filled with fun, food and great company. Plus all donations will go to the Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Today, the Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial recognizes and honors the 389th Birthday of the National Guard 🇺🇸
Established on December 13, 1636, the National Guard represents generations of citizen-soldiers who have answered the call to serve their states and nation with courage, commitment, and sacrifice.

We pause to reflect on those who continue to serve today and to solemnly remember the fallen heroes whose service and legacy are forever honored and remembered. 💛

Save the date! March 23rd, 2026 Piestewa Fallen Heroes Sunrise Service and luncheon.