The power of respect and friendship<br>

Stan Bindell/Observer

Hopi High School's Junior ROTC colorguard with Jessica Lynch in Tuba City High School's Warrior Pavilion.

Lynch comes from a completely opposite side of America from Piestewa, one that is predominantly Anglo without much native interaction or contact.

Before meeting Piestewa, Lynch readily admits that she was not familiar with or had been personally exposed to native culture as she grew up. Nor had she ever spent any time on any reservation near her home of West Virginia, but this did not distract their bonding.

Lynch has repeatedly said privately and publicly that knowing Piestewa has changed her life.

It is most assuredly because Piestewa understood what acceptance, respect and appreciation for people means. She came from a caring reservation community that exhibits that trait daily and that made it easy to become friends with someone like Lynch, despite their diverse ethnic origins.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read