No Mass Memorials at Fort Lewis Base

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

No Mass Memorials at Fort Lewis Base

Fort Lewis Army Base Won't Switch to Monthly Mass
Memorials for Fallen Soldiers

FORT LEWIS, Wash. Jul 25, 2007 (AP)

Fort Lewis will hold individual memorials for fallen soldiers
rather than a monthly mass ceremony, which had sparked
outrage earlier this year, the commanding general of the Army
base's I Corps said Wednesday.

The base has traditionally held individual memorials, typically
for one or two soldiers at a time. But an increase in soldiers
killed in Iraq and Afghanistan forced the base in May to start
holding services for multiple soldiers at a time.

Critics said mass memorials denied soldiers the individual
tributes they deserved.

Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., who took over in June, put the
policy change on hold, saying he wanted time to discuss the
matter with soldiers, their families, Army retirees and others
in the community.

-snip-

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3415868

[babylonsister]

1. Why this was EVER an issue I never understood. NOM! nt

[chknltl]

2. As a member of the community

I say give EACH soldier and that soldier's family the respect of an individual ceremony. That dead soldier earned it and I suspect would want this for his or her family. Let's not diminish each soldier's ultimate sacrifice by lumping it in with others who made that same sacrifice.
:patriot:

[demoleft]

3. Give each one his own tribute.

I'm already outraged to read figures instead of watching names and faces. I'm always posting this thing. I'm kinda fixed on it.
The media report figures. 10 dead, 15 wounded...
Figures don't have a face, a name, a family, affections, friends, a community, a hope, the future.

The guys and the girls who fell had.
I hope they give each and every soldier his/her individual tribute.