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Arranging memorial services is duty that never gets easier

Feb-25-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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By Hal Bernton, Seattle Times

FORT LEWIS — Master Sgt. Cheryl Kirk's cellphone wakes her late at night. These calls bring bad news as she learns of yet another soldier's death from the Iraq-based 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

"When my cellphone rings, my heart stops," said Kirk, who has remained behind at Fort Lewis as the top enlisted officer in a 1st Brigade support unit of some 300 soldiers.

Here at the base in recent months, Kirk has been responsible for arranging the memorial services for brigade soldiers who die in Iraq. She has developed a checklist to remind herself of the numerous details, from arranging for a bugler to figuring out who will offer tributes. Those tasks are becoming increasingly familiar; the brigade has lost 19 soldiers since deploying to Iraq in October.

The 38-year-old had planned to retire after sustaining a training injury that prevented her from being deployed to Iraq along with the rest of the brigade.

But she was asked to put off retirement to join the brigade's Fort Lewis support unit, and "I didn't want to say no."

Early on, much of Kirk's job involved logistics support for the brigade. But as fighting intensified, the casualties mounted. Her job also expanded to include providing support for the wounded men and women sent back to Fort Lewis.

That job earns her an early notice of the deaths, and with the time difference between Washington and Iraq, the phone calls often come well past midnight. So she makes sure she takes her cellphone to bed at home in Yelm.

Related Article: Hard-hit Ft. Lewis mourns 3 of its own - The Seattle Times


Comments For "Arranging memorial services is duty that never gets easier":

MSG Kirk has been a great help to our efforts to honor the soldiers of our Stryker Brigade, even while carrying on this most difficult but necessary task. We owe her a debt of gratitude.

Posted by: Paul North | February 25, 2005 8:04 PM

I'll second that. She's been a great help to us here as well. Thank you.

Posted by: Todd | February 25, 2005 8:31 PM

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