3 Fallen Stryker Soldiers Remembered At Fort Lewis Memorial

3 Fallen Stryker Soldiers Remembered At Fort Lewis Memorial

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Story Published: May 26, 2005 at 3:44 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:57 AM PDT

By Keith Eldridge

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FORT LEWIS - A tough start to the Memorial Day weekend as Fort Lewis pays tribute to three Strykers killed in the fighting in Iraq. The loss is hitting the troops hard and also a local community with special ties to the Strykers.

Army Chaplain David Shoffner tells crowd, "We come to mourn, to remember and to honor our brothers who have fallen."

Friends and family of three fallen Strykers were there to pay tribute Thursday. All three died last Sunday in Iraq.

24-year-old Sgt. Benjamin Morton was shot as he led the way through a home, trying to flush out insurgents.

"It is an honor and privilege to have known and grown close to him," said Spec. Luis Cruz. "Sgt. Benjamin Morton, I will miss you brother, see you when I get there."

25-year-old Lt. Aaron Seeson and his fellow engineers were trying to find and clear roadside bombs when one of them blew up.

"Even as Aaron lied there wounded, his response was to say, 'Take charge Sgt. Arnold and take care of all of the others first,' " said Capt. Bryan Carroll.

One of the 'others' was 21-year-old Spec. Tyler Creamean. His new wife KaMisha wrote a letter that was read at the memorial.

Sgt. First Class Christopher Watson reads letter, "Please don't be sad because I know he wouldn't want you all to be. Tyler was a happy guy and could always light up a room. On our wedding day he said 'and party 'till dawn' instead of 'till death do us part.' "

Many of the Strykers who were in attendance at this memorial service are going to be in Puyallup on Monday for Memorial Day. That's because Puyallup and the Strykers are connected. In fact the mayor of Puyallup comes to all of these services.

"It becomes more difficult each service," said Mayor Kathy Turner. "You'd think it would become easier, but it becomes more difficult. But it really is necessary to send a message to my community and all communities of the loss and the price that our soldiers do pay."

She says this memorial for three soldiers is a solemn occasion. It is the reason Memorial Day was made a national holiday, to remember those who've fallen in war.

The Memorial Day observance in Puyallup Monday is at 1 o'clock at Pioneer Park with Gen. James Collins as the guest speaker.

For More Information:

www.ci.Puyallup.wa.us

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