In March, in conjunction with Women’s History month, wear blue honors the service and sacrifice of our nation’s more than 400,000 currently serving female Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Guardians currently serving our nation for a purpose greater than themselves, and the generations who walked before them
We will close the month of March 2024 with a powerful community event called The Piestewa Challenge. This year’s challenge will honor the 179 women who have given their lives in combat operations since 9/11, including 177 during the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), as well as all women who have died in service to our nation. Inspired by the sacrifice of SPC Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American woman service member to be killed in combat on foreign soil and the first female service member killed in Iraq, this challenge carries deep significance.
Starting on March 23, 2024, we will invite our community to form squad-sized teams of 8, collectively moving 200 miles by March 29 in honor of all women who have died while serving. This year, we are adjusting the mileage from 177 to 201 miles, with the additional 24 miles symbolizing the 24 years since the beginning of combat operations following 9/11. Each mile will represent the women who died while in service to our nation during each of those years.
At wear blue, we honor all who wear the uniform, and this challenge will continue our mission of supporting the families of all fallen service members, regardless of how or where they lost their lives.
Each step honors the women who made the ultimate sacrifice, celebrates the women who were willing to make such sacrifices, and unites our community with a shared effort of purpose, health, and connection.
Who is Lori Piestewa?
SPC Lori Ann Piestewa was the first Native American woman service member to be killed in combat on foreign soil and the first female service member killed in Iraq. Born in December 1979 in Tuba City, Arizona, Lori came from a family with a strong military tradition. She joined the Army to provide a secure future for her two children. In 2003, while deployed with the 507th Maintenance Company in Iraq, Lori’s unit was ambushed. She was critically injured and later died from her wounds. Her bravery, commitment, and sacrifice continue to inspire her family and the nation.
To learn more about SPC Piestewa’s story, click here.
MORE THAN VIRTUAL
Each year on 23 March at Piestewa Peak in Phoenix, AZ, SPC Lori Piestewa’s Hopi and other Native communities remember her and all women who have died while in service to our nation. By joining this effort, you are also recognizing the sacrifices of women from Indigenous and other underrepresented communities. Together, we can show we value and appreciate all women in the military.
wear blue will host three in-person Circles of Remembrance at the following locations:
Phoenix, Arizona | TBD
Washington D.C. | TBD
JBLM/Dupont, Washington | TBD
Join an In-Person Event
Interested in creating a Piestewa Challenge activation for your company or organization? Corporations and Veteran Service Organizations can create community events and encourage employees to join us active remembrance.
Host an In-Person Event
Helpful Information
Not a runner? Don’t fret, we will help you convert biking, yoga, rowing, swimming and other activities into miles for your team.
New to Racery? Click here for a quick tutorial to learn how to log activities and message your team.
Piestewa Event Information FAQ’s
*Source of names and number of females killed in action from Defense Casualty Analysis System, as of January 1, 2022.
Activity Mileage Conversion Chart
Partner with us
Our partners make it possible to support military families, veterans, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Visit our Partner Page to explore the opportunities and learn how you can make an impact with us. Together, we remember.