Four Fallen Soldiers are Honored
Hawaii-based Marines honor four fallen in Iraq
by Sgt. Roe F. Seigle:
combat correspondent, Regimental Combat Team 7
HADITHA, Iraq (May 5, 2006) — A Marine sat on a collapsible metal chair with several other warriors seated around him and stared at four sets of dog tags, combat boots, rifles and Kevlar helmets.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly let his head drop into his hands. The tears fell, splashing the concrete floor.
This Marine is one of hundreds from the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment who are still mourning the loss of Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer, who was killed two weeks ago in an explosion from an improvised explosive device.
IEDs – roadside bombs used by insurgents in Iraq to target Coalition and Iraqi Forces – are the number one killer of U.S. troops in Iraq, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count – an organization which tallies U.S. and coalition casualties based off Department of Defense press releases.
In a solemn ceremony at the Marines forward operating base here April 30, the Marines honored four more of their own killed recently during combat operations in Al Anbar Province. Among the deceased are: Sgt. Edward G. Davis, 31, of Waukegan, Ill.; Sgt Lea R. Mills, 21, of Brooksville, Fla.; and Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy, 25, of Cochranville, Pa.; who were killed April 28, 2006, when their vehicle struck and IED.
Cpl. Eric R. Lueken, 23, of Jasper, Ind., was also killed by an IED April 22, 2006.
