Ft. Lewis to consolidate memorials

By KOMO Staff & News Services
FORT LEWIS, Wash. - So many Fort Lewis soldiers are being killed in Iraq the Army base will no longer hold individual memorial services.

Starting next month Fort Lewis says it will hold one memorial a month for all the dead soldiers.

Sixteen Fort Lewis soldiers have been killed this month -- the most of the war, so far.

Fort Lewis acting commander Brigadier General William Troy told staff last week that the number of soldiers in harm's way will preclude individual services.

About 10,000 Fort Lewis troops, including two Stryker brigades, are now in Iraq, the most since the 2003 invasion.

Some other Army posts have already consolidated services.

A memorial service planned for Thursday for one soldier will go on as scheduled at Fort Lewis, and the first consolidated service for four soldiers will be held on June 5.

On Wednesday the Department of Defense announced the deaths of three more Fort Lewis soldiers in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Thomas M. McFall, 36, and Pfc. Junior Cedeno Sanchez, 20, were killed when a bomb exploded while they were patrolling on foot in Baghdad on May 28.

Both soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

Pfc. Charles B. Hester, 23, was killed May 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated next to his vehicle. Hester was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.