Christopher Frison, son of former 1st Lt. Demetrius Frison, presents a rose to the marble stone with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division's crest under his dad's name at a rededication cer...
The Honor Guard presents the American flag after its 13th fold during the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division's memorial rededication ceremony May 7. When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us ...
Ashley Lacey, wife of former Sgt. 1st Class William Lacey, touches the engraved name of her husband after a memorial rededication ceremony May 7. William, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st I...
A loved one of Spc. Angel Lopez touches the marble stone where his name is engraved during a ceremony rededicating the Duke memorial May 7, in honor of Lopez and two other Soldiers who were killed during the unit's most recent deployment to Afghanist...
Gold Star Families attend the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division's memorial rededication ceremony May 7. The Dukes revealed the names of Sgt. 1st Class William Lacey, Spc. Angel Lopez and 1st Lt. Jason Togi who were killed in com...
Major Jason Tullius and Command Sgt. Maj. Billie Jo Boersma, command team, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, unveils the marble stone with the names of the Soldiers who were once assigned t...
In March 2012, the Dukes of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and the local community built a memorial in remembrance of the 117 Soldiers they lost along with Frison due to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Over two years later, May 7, 2014, with loses from their most recent deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Dukes, their Families and the community gathered to honor and memorialize Sgt. 1st Class William Lacey, Spc. Angel Lopez and 1st Lt. Jason Togi by rededicating the Duke memorial with their names engraved in the stones under their respective units.
"Duty first isn't just a motto, it's a way of thinking and a way of life," said Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, Deputy Commanding General of Operations for 3rd Army and Former Duke commander. "We couldn't ask these Soldiers to do more than they've done. We all remember those names on the wall and [that] behind each is a story, a life, a commitment and comrades left behind."
Over the past 14 years that the US has been involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and OEF, 6,805 servicemembers have lost their lives in combat or from combat related injuries. Pittard said he longed for the day when the war is over and we don't have to add names to memorials or have places of honor such as these.
"When we memorialize Soldiers in combat, we emphatically vow to those that paid the full measure, and to their Gold Star Families, never to forget," said Col. Bill Ostlund, 3rd IBCT commander. "Today we will revisit that vow as we remember our 118 fallen from past tours and add our three most recent fallen."
Surveying the crowd, Pittard noticed a lot of young Soldiers who were 'probably in the first or second grade at the time of Sept. 11' who were present in the formation answering the call to serve their nation in uniform.
"A lot of us watched this recent tour and the honor and pride of how well the brigade did throughout this deployment," said Pittard. "The Duke's reputation was solidified in getting the mission done… unfortunately, it came at a price."
With the unit inactivating later in the month, Ostlund said the memorial will be relocated to Fort Riley, Kan., the home of the 1st Inf. Div. He said they will become the stewards of the memorial and the Duke's Gold Star Families.
"To our Gold Star Families, the country owes you a great measure of respect and no words, letters, citations, flags, or public recognition will capture the selfless acts, bravery and honor your loved ones demonstrated," said Pittard. "It was an honor to serve with the Soldiers on the wall and we must not forget, we will not forget that this memorial wall will always be hallowed ground."
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