A time to remember

Photo By Lt. Col. Cory Angell | Master Sgt. Jon McWilliams, chaplain assistant, from Lancaster, Pa., plays "Taps" during the Memorial Day service, May 25, at the Warrior Chapel for Soldiers of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.26.2009

Story by Capt. Cory Angell 

56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD — Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team took time to honor their fallen at a Memorial Day service, May 25, on Camp Taji, Iraq.

"For us in Iraq, this day is all the more meaningful and significant," said Capt. Schaun Myers, chaplain, from Reading, Pa. "We have a much clearer view of what our fallen have faced, the courage displayed and the sacrifices made, to keep our children and our nation free."

During the event Col. Marc Ferraro, commander of the 56th Stryker Brigade, read a letter he received from a sergeant in the brigade whose soldiers were killed in action on a previous deployment.

The letter stated in part, "I only knew these men from my service with them but I loved them as much as I have loved anyone in my life."

Ferraro concluded much like the letter, by saying, "I ask all of you, as this sergeant did, to take the time today to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

The 56th Stryker Brigade has suffered one combat loss during its current deployment when Staff Sgt. Mark Baum was killed north of Taji, Feb. 21, in a direct fire engagement with the enemy. Seven other members of the brigade have died in action since September 11, 2001.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2009
• Date Posted: 05.26.2009 01:28
• Story ID: 34080
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ