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Monument to fallen soldiers dedicated on Fort Wainwright

Nov- 9-2007 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

By Chris Freiberg, Daily News-Miner

It will be two years on Monday, Veterans Day, since Maria Sutherland’s husband died in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Sutherland, assigned to the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright was killed when his Stryker vehicle rolled over. He was one of eight soldiers from the squadron to have died in the line of duty since the Iraq conflict began in March 2003.

Now, their names, each inscribed in a bronze plaque, adorn a black granite monument in front of squadron headquarters on base.

“No amount of walls are going to replace him, but it’s the thought that counts,” Maria Sutherland said, choking back tears.

She was one of several dozen people who attended the memorial dedication Thursday morning at Fort Wainwright for what is now known as the 5th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1-25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The squadron raised the $3,800 needed to build the monument through donations by troopers in the unit, though few knew the eight men who lost their lives. Several designs were proposed but ultimately the simple black granite slab with an inscription that begins “Lest we forget” was chosen to remember the ultimate sacrifice of some cavalrymen.

“It’s important to memorialize soldiers who gave their lives, but the point is not to dwell on that,” said Lt. Col. Mike Kasales, the squadron commander. “Rather, it is to remember their love of country and selfless service.”

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Comments For "Monument to fallen soldiers dedicated on Fort Wainwright":

My thoughts and prayers are with Maria and her family at this time. No memorial can ever fill the void that the family has to deal with. Please know that you are in the prayers of millions of Americans. Liz, mother of Corp Billy B. Farris KIA in Taji, Iraq, 12/03/06

Posted by: LIZGOLDSTARMOM [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 9, 2007 1:27 PM

You are in my thoughts and prayers as well. Our Heroes will never be forgotten.
(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT -KIA 5/6/07, Baqubah, Iraq

Posted by: Tulsaok1nurse [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 9, 2007 5:02 PM

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