Olympia, Wa. Newspaper Salutes Fallen Members of Ft. Lewis-Based Army Brigade

[sabra]

Today's tribute part of special brigade coverage

http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/239537.html

Behind the headlines
Vickie Kilgore
Executive Editor


Today's front page is a dramatic departure for The Olympian.

A Stryker brigade based at Fort Lewis, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, has returned home from a 15-month deployment in Iraq. The 48 brigade members pictured on the front page are not among them. The Olympian chose to dedicate today's front page as a small but dramatic way to honor their service. It is not intended as an editorial statement on the war. Rather, it is the biggest of local stories. Nonetheless, we recognize that, whether you support or oppose our country's military presence in Iraq, this front page display will generate strong feelings.

But today, as brigade members remember their dead comrades in a special ceremony at Fort Lewis, we felt it was important to show our readers the faces of those who did not return. We also plan to share with you the jubilation of the official welcome home ceremonies for the brigade later this week. And we will spotlight some of the many acts of bravery of those who served. This weekend we will report on what's next for many of these individuals as they rebuild their stateside lives.

We assembled this front page with careful deliberation. Our intent is to be respectful but knowing, without doubt, that this lineup of faces conveys the effect of the war in a way words cannot.

We hope that you will look at the page, read the profiles of these men and reflect on their sacrifice.

I welcome your feedback.

Vickie Kilgore is executive editor of The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-4223 or [email protected].

[Kurovski]

1. K&R.

The link must be getting a lot of visitors. I'm having difficulty getting there.

[SeattleGirl]

2. Good for them.

This is NOT a faceless war.

[NYVet]

4. Nobody ever said it was.

In fact, this war may be one of the most personal wars in history, due to the 24 hour news cycle, the internet and blogs, and e-mail.

[Kurovski]

7. And with all of that, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R) TN still has problems

recalling when one of her own constituents is killed in Iraq.

http://www.oliverwillis.com/archives/2007/09/24/gop-rep-marsha-blackburn-is-up/

[NYVet]

10. That was "gotcha" media...

How many congress critters can tell you the names of their constituents who have died in service to their country?

[NYVet]

3. They await their comrades on Fiddler's Green...

I saw an article where a man once asked where we found men and women who would be willing to give their lives in the service of their country.

The exact answer that he was given escapes me, but it was along the lines of this.

"Those who volunteer to serve their country have the clarity of vision to look at the country and see not the country as it is, but as it could be."

[gateley]

5. Thank you for posting this and thanks to the Olympian for this respectful tribute. nt

[sabra]

8. definitely emotional stuff...

[Zandor]

6. Rest well, brave men and women n/t

[WillyT]

9. K & R !!!

Thank you for posting this!

:patriot:

[Squatch]

11. This is getting absolutely tiresome.

Every week, when the Army Times is published, I scan through the names looking for my friends who may have been killed. So far, that number is still at 2, thankfully.

Rest in Peace fellow 3BCTers.

Squatch
1-37 FA
3/2 SBCT
1998 - 2001