TAPS
RIP PFC Lori Piestewah
Posted on 05/20/2005 5:12:48 PM PDT by AZHua87
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2005 – ABC's hit TV program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" this weekend will feature the show's design team building and furnishing a new home for the family of a soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The family of Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, a soldier who died during the opening days of the Iraqi war, recently took ownership of a new $500,000 house north of Flagstaff, Ariz., that resulted from the effort.
A team from the Extreme Makeover program designed the sprawling home and furnished it in a southwestern motif. A two-hour season finale, to air May 22, will feature the construction of the home for Terry and Percy Piestewa, Lori's parents, and her two children.
The program staff also arranged the construction of a center for Native American veterans in Tuba City, Ariz, Piestewa's hometown.
Former Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch nominated Lori's family to receive the home, according to Diane Korman, coordinating producer for the Extreme Makeover program.
Lynch and Piestewa served together in the 507th Maintenance Company and were part of a convoy navigating through southern Iraq when it took a wrong turn and got ambushed by Iraqi troops in March 2003. Piestewa died of injuries received in the skirmish; Lynch, also severely injured, was taken as a prisoner of war and later was rescued by special operations forces.
Korman said the staff "was touched" when Lynch contacted them and described her best friend and "the sacrifices Lori made, not only for her country, but also for her family."
Piestewa had dreamed of saving money to build her family a new home near Flagstaff, but never lived to see it through, Korman said Lynch told her. "It touched our hearts and souls," Korman said. "We just couldn't say no."
Army Maj. Ray Garcia, who notified the Piestewa family of their daughter's death and then served as their casualty assistance officer, assembled 21 fellow Arizona National Guard members in mid-April to help the Extreme Makeover staff complete final preparations before giving the Piestewa family the keys to their new house.
"This couldn't have happened to a better family," Garcia said. "It's heartwarming."
The Extreme Makeover staff involved in the effort "have big hearts" and appear committed to their efforts, he said. "You can tell it's not just a job. It's meaningful to them," he said.
Korman said that in helping the Piestewa family, the Extreme Makeover staff hoped to send a message of support to all members of the military. "As we honor them, we honor all veterans who have served in all wars," she said.
ABC's Extreme Home Makeover helps PFC Lori Piestewah's family.
Outstanding.
Credit where credit is due BUMP
RIP PFC Lori Piestewah
Recipients are nominated by people in their community, and recipients in all the shows I have watched have been exemplary models of how people should live.
The show points out positive character traits (adoption, sticking with a marriage through adversity, caring for children, self-sufficiency, etc.).
It is the only positive program on network television, as far as I know, and it is the only one I try to watch.
I agree. Despite a dip from time to time into some over emotionalism, they hooked me when the first program I watch was a house for the family with a dad serving in Iraq. The mom and children really loved the house and all and some pro baseball team showed up, which was a big thrill, but when they realized their dad was home (he had been there for a few days working with the crew) they could see nothing but him. Their happiness was just in a whole other dimension. Still makes me tear up.
I watch this show faithfully.
Kudos to ABC, the volunteers in the background who help make things happen, and the companies that donate goods and services.
It's a great show for the family.
I am curious though. I hope that Extreme Makeover does not build them too much house that they can't afford it anymore. What I mean by that, is the house too big for them to afford the monthly electric bills or the property tax on them. The stuff they put in these houses is top-of-the-line electronics and everything else.
As long as they aren't killing them with kindness.
I am a big fan of Home Edition. It's the only thing I watch on ABC.
A little Ty helps. of course. :-)
I love this show.
That's happened already on these home shows...worth too much after the remodel...can't pay taxes.
Me too, but I must be allergic to Ty's hair gel cos my eyes start running every time!
He's goofy in a cute way and one of the few men that can get away with having a billy goat beard. I hate those!
Still don't quite understand why they didn't schedule the showing for Memorial Day weekend, but hey, can't complain. Really nice family.
I don't watch the show but am aware of it. Truely this should be a heart breaker in a good sense. Can't bring that that service person but at least the family may slowly heal.
That's what I would be afraid of. Even if they own the house, with no mortgage payments, they still wouldn't be able to pay the taxes.
Despite peoples generosity, the gummint will still bend you over.
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