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Memorials will continue at fort for now

Jun-14-2007 » Filed Under: Homefront

MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune

Fort Lewis’ new commanding general won’t change the way the post holds memorial ceremonies for its soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least for the time being.

The post announced Wednesday that Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., “has decided that Fort Lewis will continue with its current manner of honoring its fallen warriors … until he has had a chance to fully assess the issue.”

The announcement at least temporarily reverses a controversial plan to combine memorials for all the post’s fallen soldiers into one monthly ceremony.

With more soldiers deployed now than at any time since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Fort Lewis has lost its largest numbers of soldiers in the past two months.

A memorial is set for 11 a.m. today at Soldiers Field House for nine soldiers, all from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, killed since May 31.

Under Jacoby’s decision, the post will continue to hold ceremonies on an as-needed basis, organized by the units in which the soldiers served.

Brig. Gen. William Troy, who was the post’s interim commander while Jacoby awaited confirmation from the Senate, announced May 22 that in light of the increased numbers of casualties the post would move to monthly ceremonies.

“I see this as a way of sharing the heavy burdens our spouses and rear detachments bear, while giving our fallen warriors the respect they deserve,” Troy wrote. “It will also give the families of the fallen the opportunity to bond with one another as they see others who share their grief.”

Fort Lewis chaplain Col. Jack Van Dyken said the change would not diminish the quality of the ceremonies but would help the units conduct all the other work they’ve got to do, in addition to planning and carrying out memorials.

But the change was unpopular with spouses, retirees and others in the Army community around Fort Lewis. Post officials announced in late May they were reconsidering.[...]


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