Memorial honors fallen soldiers of 507th

CNN ^ | 4/12/03 | CNN Staff

[Kay Soze]

FORT BLISS, Texas (CNN) --One was determined and never gave up on any task. Another had a positive attitude and a lighthearted sense of humor. Still another always went the extra mile to help his fellow soldiers.

One by one, the nine soldiers of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company killed in the war in Iraq were remembered Friday during a memorial service at Fort Bliss, the unit's home post.

[Kay Soze]

God Bless them and the families left behind.

Thank you for keeping me free and ensuring the freedom of my two boys.

(Forgive me- I know there has been other posts on this from various members &sources- It cant be posted enough to display the bravery of these fine men and women)

[Support Free Republic]

Raise Your Hand If You Want To Donate To Free Republic!
	Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD- It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[Happy2BMe]

A Salute To The Fallen Heroes - They Gave Their All - God Bless Them

[Search4Truth]

Every Iraqi child should learn their names and honor them.

[freepersup]

The concentration of casualties within this unit reminds me of the Pennsylvania National Guard unit, that suffered a disproportionate number of casualties during the 1st Gulf War. A scud missile struck the barracks in which they were sleeping and killed (IIRC) 14 members of the same unit.

A glaring similarity is that neither group was a front line combat unit. It is reasonable to expect to see little to no combat when in a support unit. However, 'Murphy' is never far away and is all to willing to play a role on the battle field.

When youngsters sign on the dotted line, they may tend to become complacent about the dangers of war during their respective assignment to a support or rear unit.

(speaking about, or to, no one in particular) It's not enough to want to join for the education, job training, travel, responsibility, or the myriad of other reasons why someone joins the Armed Forces. In the end, one takes an oath to defend our country and our way of life, and pledges to give one's life in their defense. Heavy stuff- that pledge to give one's life in the defense of our nation. It makes all of the other reasons for joining, secondary in nature, or so it would seem.

The violence of a battlefield is somewhat random in how it finds it's way to the individual combatant. The ultimate sacrifice for this nation was paid by these brave men and women. Duty, honor, country, exemplified...

If a caveat can be extrapolated from this unit's engagement with the enemy, it is this, from infantryman to supply clerk, the pledge is the same: be prepared to give one's life in the defense of our country and our way of life.

They did...