4 slain Stryker soldiers honored at Fort Lewis
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FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- Fort Lewis paid tribute Wednesday to four soldiers killed in Afghanistan while on a mission of mercy.
Among them was a young soldier who grew up in Federal Way.
It's the second week in a row they've said goodbye to members of the 5th Stryker Brigade. There were two remembered last week, and four more today.
Those honored were Specialist Dennis Williams of Federal Way -- awarded a promotion in death.
"Spec. Dennis Williams will be missed by all who knew him and I will never forget the memories I have of him," said Sgt. Michael Eacman.
Sgt. First Class Ronald Sawyer of Missouri.
"To know and to serve with him was not only an honor, but a privilege," said Sgt. Jacob Travis. "As his soldiers would say, 'Big brother, you will not be forgotten.' "
Capt. Cory Jenkins of Arizona.
"Capt. Jenkins presence will be missed by many, he was a great leader, teacher and friend and had an impact on all who knew him," said SSG Shane Tracy.
And Capt. John Hallett III, from California.
"Professionalism, integrity, patience and compassion," said Capt. Francis Kim. "Virtues that I will forever associated with Capt. John Hallett."
The memorial had to be moved from the chapel to the Fort Lewis soldiers' field house because of the size of the crowd, packed with family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
The 5th Stryker Brigade had just arrived in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb took the lives of the four soldiers. They weren't on a combat mission, but rather a mission of mercy taking their medical expertise into the small towns.
"They were also demonstrating our compassion of the Showallah Kha District by providing medical expertise to assess the reported cholera outbreak," Kim said.
Along with being soldiers, these four also had one very important thing in common: they were husbands and fathers.
Now those family members and fellow soldiers are left with the task of keeping their memories alive.
Next Wednesday, three more soldiers from the 5th Stryker Brigade will be honored at a memorial service. Thursday, the public memorial for Specialist Dennis Wlliams at 2 p.m. at the Church by the Side of the Road in SeaTac.
Among them was a young soldier who grew up in Federal Way.
It's the second week in a row they've said goodbye to members of the 5th Stryker Brigade. There were two remembered last week, and four more today.
Those honored were Specialist Dennis Williams of Federal Way -- awarded a promotion in death.
"Spec. Dennis Williams will be missed by all who knew him and I will never forget the memories I have of him," said Sgt. Michael Eacman.
Sgt. First Class Ronald Sawyer of Missouri.
"To know and to serve with him was not only an honor, but a privilege," said Sgt. Jacob Travis. "As his soldiers would say, 'Big brother, you will not be forgotten.' "
Capt. Cory Jenkins of Arizona.
"Capt. Jenkins presence will be missed by many, he was a great leader, teacher and friend and had an impact on all who knew him," said SSG Shane Tracy.
And Capt. John Hallett III, from California.
"Professionalism, integrity, patience and compassion," said Capt. Francis Kim. "Virtues that I will forever associated with Capt. John Hallett."
The memorial had to be moved from the chapel to the Fort Lewis soldiers' field house because of the size of the crowd, packed with family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
The 5th Stryker Brigade had just arrived in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb took the lives of the four soldiers. They weren't on a combat mission, but rather a mission of mercy taking their medical expertise into the small towns.
"They were also demonstrating our compassion of the Showallah Kha District by providing medical expertise to assess the reported cholera outbreak," Kim said.
Along with being soldiers, these four also had one very important thing in common: they were husbands and fathers.
Now those family members and fellow soldiers are left with the task of keeping their memories alive.
Next Wednesday, three more soldiers from the 5th Stryker Brigade will be honored at a memorial service. Thursday, the public memorial for Specialist Dennis Wlliams at 2 p.m. at the Church by the Side of the Road in SeaTac.
