Extreme Home Makeover Fans

[Amy]

Hello Everyone,

For its season finale (airing May 22), ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is honoring Army specialist first class Lori Ann Piestewa, the first American woman soldier killed in the Iraq war, and the first Native American woman ever to die in combat on foreign soil, by building her parents and two children their dream home.

Born and raised a Hopi on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, Lori Piestewa is the daughter of Terry and Percy Piestewa and mother of Brandon and Carla. In March 2003, Loris convoy was ambushed in An Nasiriyah, Iraq - the same action that led to the much-publicized capture of private first class Jessica Lynch. While serving together, Lynch and Piestewa formed a close relationship, and it was during this time that Lynch learned of Piestewas desire to someday build a home where her parents could retire. It was Lynch who nominated the Piestewa family for the home makeover.

Located just north of Flagstaff, Ariz., the 4,300 square-foot home built by Shea Homes and hundreds of volunteers features donated Klipsch and ZON audio products throughout, installed by San-Diego-based integrator Advanced Electronic Solutions² (AES²).

The homes grand room, which faces beautiful snow-capped mountains, features a high-performance 7.1 audio configuration made up of Klipschs R-5800-C in-ceiling speakers and RW-10 subwoofer. The master suite has a 5.1 sound system that consists of Klipsch R-3800-C in-ceiling speakers and an RW-10 subwoofer. The covered patio at the entrance of the home and the back courtyard were outfitted with Klipsch AW-500 all-weather products. Interior rooms such as the kitchen, master bath, library, dining room, kids media room and the guest casitas (a special room to honor the memory of Lori) received a pair of Klipsch R-3650-C in-ceiling speakers.

Whole house audio was provided by a nine-zone, eight input ZON system. ZAC-60 audio controllers/amplifiers are installed in the master bathroom, kitchen, main hallway, library, dining room, kids media room, guest casitas, patio and courtyard. While four ZIM-4 input modules are devoted to the audio system in the grand room, two are installed inside the media room and one is featured in both the master suite and library. The ZON routers are located in a structured-wiring panel in the homes equipment room.

The Piestewa home marks the second project AES² has done with ABC. "These projects for Shea Homes and ABC are very worthwhile for our company," said Steve Wisner, general manager for AES². Outside of the show, AES² works with Shea Homes on its traditional home construction projects in Southern California.

According to Sam Smith, operations manager for AES², in comparison to the other trades working on the Piestewa project, his team of eight was one of the smallest crews, but they managed to accomplish just as much as the rest.

Despite having to dodge 300 electricians, 300 drywall installers and a horde of masonry, flooring and painting contractors, the AES² team was able to pre-wire and install a complete security system, telephone, data and television connections, a whole-house intercom and the Klipsch and ZON products in just four days. Not to mention, the team also had to deal with last minute design changes, a clipped natural gas line, dust storms and below freezing temperatures once the sun went down.

Be sure to see this heartfelt Extreme Makeover episode when it airs on Sunday. And dont forget to check out the follow-up program Howd They Do That on Monday to see your favorite Klipsch and ZON products in action.

[fini]

Do they mention any of us, Amy?

[dodger]

May she always be remembered and what is done, though not able to bring her back, make the lives of those she gave her ALL for a little easier.

May peace be with her and with her Spirit always, to soar with the Eagles and rest with the Doves.