Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders greeted in Page, Arizona

For 22 years since 2003, the Navajo-Hopi Honor Ride (NHHR) organizes a large pro­cession of motorcy­cles to ride together through Navajo and Hopi country to re­member and honor all Native American vet­erans who gave their lives in service to the United States of Amer­ica since 2003. In that year, Army Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa passed in Iraq and was the first native Ameri­can woman to pass in combat.

Left to right, photos by Phil Clark:

• Motorcycles arrive in Page for the 22nd annual Navajo Hopi Honor Ride.

• Members of the Red Heritage drum team sing an honor song.

• Page Resident Keith Quinn was honored at the event.

• Quinn’s relatives pose for a large family photo.

Since then the ride honors all military men and women who passed in service and honors Gold Star fami­lies that were left behind after the sac­rifice of their family members. American Gold Star families are immediate relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed in combat or in support of certain military ac­tivities.

The NHHR also as­sist by offering mo­torcycle escorts for funeral services or welcome home events for returning military personnel and assist in community service projects to help vet­erans with home im­provement or remod­eling projects to make homes more accessible for their needs.

This year’s ride start­ed in Gallup on June 5 and proceeded through the heart of the Hopi and Navajo nations with stops in Gana­do, Kykotsmovi, Bird Springs, Flagstaff, Cameron, Tuba City, Page, Kayenta, Monu­ment Valley, Mexican Water, Beclabito and Nenahnezad, ending the ride in Window Rock on June 8. The City of Page hosted an event in front of City Hall on June 6.

The Riders arrived in Page along North Lake Powell Boulevard and parked in the parking lot at City Hall. The weather was almost perfect, with a light sprinkle of rain dur­ing the ceremony as if it was being blessed. Some might have called it “Goldilocks weather.”

City of Page staff previously set up fold­ing chairs and tables at the amphitheater and were quickly filled. Others stood on the lawn just outside the amphitheater or brought their own lawn chair.

According to Shawn McNally, one of the riders, he counted 167 motorcycles when the riders stopped in Cam­eron. Along with locals and tourists, there was an excellent turnout. A long table was set with sandwiches, wraps, chips and soft drinks provided by Antelope Point Marina.

The current and for­mer mayors, Chief of Police, as well as other members of the City of Page leadership greet­ed the participants and spectators. Red Heritage drummers sang an Honor Song around a large drum. The song captivated many. According to Tomas Hunt, owner of Red Heritage Center, the drum represents a heartbeat and the driving force of life and the song.

One of those honored this year was Marine Lance Corporal Quinn A. Keith who was a resident of Page, who passed in 2004 dur­ing Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of Quinn’s family and some former POW’s were recognized at the ceremony. On the NHHR website, fif­teen fallen soldiers are honored, including Piestewa and Keith.

After the ceremony was complete, the rid­ers went to Antelope Point Marina for a dinner program before turning in for the day.

For more informa­tion about the Navajo Hopi Honor Ride, visit navajohopihonorrid­ers.com/about/. For in­formation about sup­porting NHHR visit navajohopihonorrid­ers.com/shop-donate/.