Last month, members of Team TriWest participated in the Lori Piestewa Wear Blue Challenge. Hear their reason for participating.
Members of TriWest recently took to the trails, streets, and gyms across the country to help wear blue: run to remember, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s military Service members.
This year, TriWest was honored to be a sponsor at the Lori Piestewa Wear Blue Challenge where 144 TriWest employees signed up to participate by logging their miles to reach the 250-mile goal. Each mile represents a story, life and legacy of fallen Service members like 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. Born in Tuba City, Arizona, Piestewa joined the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 507th Maintenance Company.
Participants in the Wear Blue Challenge could choose to run, walk, hike, do yoga, lift weights, or any other exercise in honor of Service members. Through the steps of thousands of volunteers throughout the weeklong challenge, the organization creates living memorials for Service members across the country.
Hear from three TriWest employees who participated in the challenge and what inspired them to join.
More Than Just a Fitness Challenge
Living near a military
base in Washington, military presence is part of everyday life for Laila Stratman, an ABA Quality Monitor Clinician. For her, signing up for the Piestewa Wear Blue Challenge was an easy decision.
“This challenge is not just about fitness,” Laila said. “It’s about honoring those who serve, supporting my community, and remembering the sacrifices made to defend our country.”
Laila is also proud to be a military wife and to have family members who served. She shared, “I carry a deep sense of pride for my husband and my family members who served or are currently serving, and this challenge is one small way to honor that. Their service and sacrifice are something I carry with me every day.”
Honoring All Women in the Military and Veteran Communities
Like Laila, Randall Johnson,
a Field Support Specialist, was quick to sign up for the Piestewa Challenge. As a Veteran himself, Randall is always looking for ways to show his support for the military and Veteran communities.
He shared, “The number one reason I signed up to participate is to honor all women who served and sacrificed for our country in the military. I specifically participated for those women who I knew after my 25 years of military service who are no longer with us and deserve admiration and respect.”
Madison Stinson, Sr.
Human Capital Generalist, also signed up to honor the brave women who fought for our nation’s freedom and those who fight today. She said, “This challenge felt like an opportunity to recognize the strength and impact of women across our military. It’s a small way to show appreciation for the paths they chose and the legacy they continue to build.”
Having family members who served, Madison has a deep appreciation for the commitment and sacrifices that come from serving in the military. Participating in the Piestewa Challenge was a small but meaningful way to show her support.
“I participated because I wanted to be part of something that recognizes and supports women and the Veteran community,” she said. “This challenge was a reminder of their resilience, their impact, and the generations of women who have helped shape our lives.”
Thank you to all who signed up for the Piestewa Challenge! Your participation is a great representation of who we are at TriWest.