SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
It is in the breaking news sidebar!
Posted on 04/11/2003 2:39:31 PM PDT by Shermy
More than 1,000 people are gathered at the Biggs Army Airfield deployment facility this afternoon to pay tribute to the nine members of the 507th Maintenance Company from Fort Bliss who were killed in an ambush near the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on March 23.
Among those attending the ceremony are Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki along with Congressional leaders.
Soldiers and civilians began filing into the deployment facility around 1:30 p.m. today. They steadily filled chairs facing a stage backdrop with a wall of blue fabric and a 20-foot tall american flag.
At the front of the stage nine helmets rested on the butt of M-16 rifles bayonetted upright into blocks of wood. Behind the helmets, stood framed photographs of each soldier.
The nine soldiers are Spc. James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas; Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland; Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso; Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of Pecos, Texas; Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, 23, of Tuba City, Ariz.; Pvt. Brandon U. Sloan, 19, of Bedford Heights, Ohio; Sgt. Donald R. Walters, 33, of Salem, Ore.; Spc. Jamaal R. Addison, 22, of Roswell, Ga.; and Pfc. Howard Johnson II, 21, of Mobile, Ala.
They were part of a convoy that came under fire near Nasiriyah. Four other soldiers were wounded and five were taken prisoner by Iraqi forces. Nine Marines were killed and eight are missing as a result of the firefight.
The whereabouts of the American POWs is not known and finding them has become one of the military's highest priorities. The International Red Cross has not seen the American POWs and today urged those holding the soldiers to treat them humanely.
Westsider Lori Matturri, whose husband is a Fort Bliss soldier, arrived about 1:30 p.m. She said her husband could not make it to the ceremony and would probably watch it on television. She said did not know any of the soldiers who were killed, but she attended "to honor the people and show my support."
El Paso Fire Department Chief Roberto Rivera said, "We are here to show our support for the families of the soldiers. We are here to honor the memories of the soldiers who are out there fighting for us."
Col. Stephen Wilkins, the 76th MP Company commander, said, "This is one of our most solemn occasions. We all are a family of soldiers, regardless what branch, MOS (job) or service."
At Soldier Hall, where another 1,000 people are expected to listen to the memorial, people began gathering early.
"When you're younger, it's (death) not something my generation had to deal with," said Pvt. Brian Gatter, referring to Desert Storm, during which he was 16. "One of my neighbors knew one of ours (Piestewa) that didn't come home. Now we know what it's (war) all about."
"We think about them (Fort Bliss soldiers) all the time, not only today but every day of the year," said Alicia Barrera, a 28-year civil servant at the post who is now retired. "When I found out about the 507th (being ambushed), it was very emotional. We go to church every day to pray for all of our troops."
The program includes an invocation by Chaplain Maj. Dave Epperson, the National Anthem, reading of the 23rd Psalm by Chaplain Maj. Walter Hoskins, a tribute by Sgt. First Class Kristine Hadano, prayer led by Chaplain Lt. Col. Thomas E. Drake, "God Bless America" song by Lelia Marshall, commander's remarks by Col. Robert H. Woods Jr., meditation led by Chaplain Col. Frederick L. Hudson, "America the Beautiful" song by Chaplain Lt. Col. Robert D. Hester, benediction by Chaplain Lt. Col. Philip J. Briganti, roll call by Command Sgt. Major Robert S. Rodgers, firing of the volleys, playing of Taps, "Amazing Grace" by the 62nd Army Band Bagpipers, closing by Susan Hoskins
Col. Glenn Mitchell, Beaumont Army Medical Center commander, said he attended the rehearsal on Thursday and that it was emotionally painful.
"As you sit and listen, so much of this ceremony goes all the way back to the earliest wars. The ceremony could have been done during Valley Forge," he said.
"It is a very emotional event for those of us in uniform. An event this size and this emotional; we have to be here," he said.
Another who attended the ceremoney also was there to show support.
"My husband and I served over thirty years in the military," said retired Master Sergeant Rosie Yates, whose husband is Sgt. Major George Yates. "We're just here to tell our troops to keep up the good job and keep the faith. We hope they bring them home soon."
The memorial service is expected to be seen live nationally on cable television.
Developing story
Captured, Injured Rescued Soldiers
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.