Piestewa Challenge Circle of Remembrance

As part of our "March With Me" Women’s History Month observation, the Military Women's Memorial welcomes wear blue: run to remember to the Memorial, for the third year in a row, for the Piestewa Challenge Circle of Remembrance. This event honors the service of the 179 women who have given their lives in combat operations around the globe since 9/11, as well as ALL women who have died while in service to our nation.

Registration is required for this event.

ABOUT THE EVENT

wear blue will lead an in-person Circle of Remembrance, a meaningful and moving way to honor the 179 women we have lost during GWOT since 9/11 and all women who have died in service to our nation. In remembrance, participants come together to say the names of all 179 women during a special ceremony.

Following the ceremony, participants are encouraged to embark on a self-paced run or walk in the local area, taking mindful and intentional steps in remembrance of the fallen. Specific route to be shared after the Circle of Remembrance.

ABOUT THE PIESTEWA CHALLENGE (taken from the wear blue Piestewa Challenge page)

The Piestewa Challenge honors the 179 women who have given their lives in combat operations around the globe since 9/11, as well as ALL women who have died while in service to our nation.

This effort is inspired by the sacrifice of SPC Lori Ann Piestewa. SPC Piestewa is the first Native American woman service member to be killed in combat on foreign soil, as well as the first female service member killed in Iraq. Launching on 23 March 2024, we invite our community to create squad-sized teams of 8, and collectively move 200 miles through 29 March to honor the lives of the 179 women killed during combat operations during the Global War on Terrorism Campaign and ALL women who died while in service. If you are re-joining us for the 2024 Piestewa Challenge, you will see that we adjusted the mileage for our event. The additional 23 miles are a symbolic tribute to the 23 years since the beginning of combat operations following 9/11. Each additional mile represents all women who died while in serving our nation during those years. wear blue supports families of all fallen service members, and honors all those who wear a uniform, regardless of the manner in which they lost their lives.

Each step will honor the women who made the ultimate sacrifice, celebrate the women who were willing to make such sacrifices, and unite our community with a shared effort of purpose, health, and connection.

To learn more - https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/piestewa-challenge

EVENT SCHEDULE

8:00 AM Participants arrive

-Paid parking available at Arlington National Cemetery garage

-Please arrive early to pass through security screening at Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center. Please see Frequently Asked Questions below regarding prohibited items and required identification

8:30 AM Circle of Remembrance on Military Women's Memorial terrace

PARKING

Arlington National Cemetery garage

ORGANIZATIONS

wear blue: run to remember honors the service and sacirfice of American military through active remembrance. Their vision is a healthy, ready, and resilient military family. They enhance and exemplify community, wellness, respect, grit, and excellence in everything they do. wear blue runs for the fallen, the fighting, and the families.

https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/

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Women's Military Memorial The Military Women’s Memorial honors and tells the stories of women, past and present, who serve our nation. They are the leading memorial and education center honoring women’s contributions to the service of our nation. As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, They educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. They honor the commitment, contributions, and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces. Learn more at: https://womensmemorial.org/

MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

March, National Women’s History Month, is just around the corner. For 31 days, the nation will be purposefully celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women. The Military Women’s Memorial (MWM) is delighted to join the celebration and to have the opportunity to reinforce what we do every day – tell the stories of America’s military women – highlighting their contributions, accomplishments and sacrifice in service to America.

At MWM for Women’s History Month 2024, we are encouraging everyone to “March With Me” (MWM) – an obvious play on the Memorial’s abbreviation (MWM), as well as on the word “March” ― the month and the activity in which every military woman, past and present, has participated. We’re asking you – our members and supporters – to build and strengthen a nationwide community around America’s military women by “marching” with MWM throughout the month by collecting and telling women’s stories of service to the nation. Our goal is to celebrate all military women’s service and tell their stories, giving them the recognition they deserve.