Hide Article Text (OCR)
A6MEMORIAL: Stryker ceremonymf -'WfEric Eftffftttn/News- MinerCOMFORT — Capt. Mike Spinello, left, spends a moment with Jesse Alcozer, father of Pfc, Christopher Alcozer, Tuesday morning.44The people of Alaska embrace the men and hy mien of our military. The death of a service member based in Alaska is the death of anContinued from Pag* Atagain at the afternoon ceremony with a silent roll call and slide show during which a first sergeant called out their names Family members of the men and women who died in Iraq during the deployment were presented with red roses.On Thursday, the hrigade will change command and become known as the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry DivisionAbout 350 soldiers suffered lryuries in combat during the brigade's 16-month deployment.Shields and Sgt Maj Joe Ulibarri unveiled a memorial wall in the atrium of the Battle Command Training Center at Fort Wainwright Plaques with each soldier’s photo hung on the wall During the ceremony,a pair of tan combat boots,Kevlar helmet and goggles and a rifle with bayonet sat in front of the wall Around the rifle hung 36 dog tags with the names of each man and womanon the wail.“The faces you see before you represent the human nature of war,” Chaplain Robert Nay saidNay explained the symbolism for the rifle, helmet, boots and dog tags He said the bayonet of the rifle was covered, because although soldiers are trained to kill ... soldiers always desire peace.Many family members were at the ceremony, having traveled from across the Lower 48 to Alaska Rita Herried, mother of Spc. Patrick Herried, who died Feb. 6 in Rawah, sent an e-mail that Shields read during the ceremony. The message offered a brief moment of humor to the otherwise somber occasion.Patrick told me of the conditions you all had to put up with, the heat, the cold, the food,Alaskan.the living quarters,” she wrote. “And then he was deployed But she said her son “never once said he was sorry for enlisting.Sonja Zasterow of Fairbanks attended the ceremony to see the plaque of her younger brother, Spc. Jacob Eugene Melson of Wasilla. Melson was a gunner on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashedin northern Iraq on Jan 7, Melson and his three crew members with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment of the Alaska Air National Guard diedalong with eight passengers.The 172nd depended on the unit to ferry soldiers and sup-9 W—U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowskiplies throughout northern and western Iraq and for mission support.Zasterow said the Melson family grew up in Wasilla. But when her parents, siblings and Melson’s wife, Sarah, come to Fairbanks to visit, she will bring them to the memorial wall to see the plaque.“They chose a good picture of him, she said with a laugh.U.S. Sen Lisa Murkowski spoke at the ceremony, telling family that the state becomes attached to military personnel that are stationed in Fairbanks and Anchorage.“The people of Alaska embrace the men and women■. , -■ Ertc Engmiin/News-MinprHONOR WALL — A woman is comforted during the Wall of Honor dedication ceremony Tuesday morning at the Battle Command Training Center on Fort Wainwright. The memorial wall honors those soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat team who lost their lives while serving in Iraq.of our military,” she said. “Thedeath of a service member based in Alaska is the death ofan Alaskan ”After the ceremony, family members approached the wall, taking pictures and gathering with soldiers and commanders who knew their soldiers. Jesse Alcozer, father of Pfc. Christopher Alcozer, wore a Vietnam Vet hat as he approached his son’s photo high on the wall, placing his hand on the corner of the wood plaque. The 36 dogtags clinked as relatives riffledthrough them, looking for the name of their soldier. Families heard funny stories or memorable moments of their soldiers from those who served withthem in Iraq.Zasterow said she appreciated the wall and effort by the brigade and Alaska to keep her brother’s memory alive, a sentiment echoed by Shields in his closing remarks at the cer-Eric Engm*n/N*w«-MfterMEMORIES — A woman photographs the pictures on the wall during the Wall of Honor dedication ceremony Tuesday morning at the Battle Command Training Center on Fort Wainwright.emony.“As you pay tribute in your own way today, leave this hall with your head held high, proud of these soldiers’ service to their country That is what these warriors would want you to do.” Shields said.“1 have heard the phrase‘Soldiers never truly die until we forget them.’ Arctic Wolves, you will never be forgotten.”Staff writ*r Margaret Fried*-nauer may be reached at 459-7545 or mfri*d*nau*r@n*wsmin*r.com.
Newspaper Details
Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Fairbanks, Alaska, US
Wed, Dec 13, 2006
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Neta S.
AK, USA 12 Aug 2020
Other Publications Near Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Daily News Miner
Fairbanks Weekly News Miner
Fairbanks Evening News
Fairbanks Daily Times
