Freeway honoring soldier won't be renamed for Randy Johnson

Gov. Doug Ducey, the Arizona Diamondbacks and former star pitcher Randy Johnson have ditched plans to unveil signage to honor the player along State Route 51 after the family of fallen soldier Pfc. Lori Piestewa said they were offended by the change.

Ducey, the Diamondbacks and Johnson had announced plans to honor "Number 51 Randy Johnson" on Friday, in anticipation of his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26. A news release from the Governor's Office said the signage would be displayed on State Route 51, also known as the Piestewa Freeway.

But the Diamondbacks abruptly canceled the event, saying in a news release Tuesday night that it was "due to the understandable concerns of the Piestewa family."

"Johnson has made numerous trips overseas to visit troops with the USO and is working to fund two Wounded Warriors to attend his induction ceremony into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown," the baseball team's news release said. "Given this commitment, Johnson did not feel comfortable moving forward with the event nor did the D-backs or any of the other parties involved."

The state named the highway to honor Piestewa, a Hopi native from Tuba City who died during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. She was the first Native American woman killed in combat for the U.S. military.

Lori Piestewa in 2003.

Photo Credit: El Paso Times

In a Facebook post, Lori's uncle Ernest Martinez said that "renaming this particular freeway is an affront to the Piestewa family, all families that have lost loved ones in the war, and all our veterans who have risked everything for us!"

When reached by phone late Tuesday, Martinez toldThe Arizona Republic that the family is relieved the event has been cancelled.

"For the family, it's been a long process," Martinez said. "Lori's name has been on that freeway for 12 years. It stands for the sacrifice of soldiers. The name of that freeway stands for the true heroes. The real heroes are the soldiers that lay their life down so we can continue to watch professional sports."

Daniel Scarpinato, a Ducey spokesman, told 12 News the signs were temporary.

The Governor's Office in a statement to The Republic said the intent was not to disrespect Piestewa's service.

"This was an unfortunate misunderstanding," a statement from Ducey spokeswoman Ann Dockendorff said. "Our intent was never to disrespect or diminish Lori Piestewa or her service and sacrifice -- but rather to ceremonially and temporarily pay tribute to Randy Johnson as he becomes the first Arizona Diamondback to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame."

Ducey has reached out to the Piestewa family, Dockendorff said, to "convey his gratitude and his regret for the misunderstanding."

A spokesman for the Diamondbacks declined comment.

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