Fort Carson honors fallen heroes

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- For the Families of the fallen, the Memorial Day ceremony at the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial meant something personal.

Edith Nunez, sister of Staff Sgt. Joe Nunez-Rodriguez, traveled from Texas to attend Monday's ceremony.

"It's really hard for her," said her husband, Andy Foster. "But at the same time, she's really thankful that people still honor and remember, and she finds it very touching that they're putting the memorial together and putting so much effort toward the (fallen)."

This year, the 11th year of the ceremony, nine Soldiers' names were added to the memorial stones outside Gate 1, recognizing those who lost their lives fighting in support of overseas contingency operations.

"These nine Soldiers volunteered to serve their country in a time of war. They stepped forward as guardians of freedom. They lived the Army Values, and they served the people of the United States and other nations with distinction," said Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and Regional Command -- South. LaCamera, who is deployed to Afghanistan, was at Fort Carson for the ceremony.

In his speech, LaCamera honored the sacrifice of the fallen Soldiers.

"Their true legacy lives on in the lives they have touched in both life and death," he said. "I don't believe death made them heroes … I believe they were born heroes, and they lived as heroes. Death allowed us to recognize them, a distinction none of them sought. As we honor our fallen, we also honor and embrace their Families with a spirit of care and compassion."

That care and compassion was felt by the Nunez-Rodriguez Family.

"They're really happy that (Fort Carson) is doing this," Foster said. "It's been really honoring for them."

The names etched on stone are a reminder for those who follow, LaCamera said.

"Each name is a reminder for all of us, and for all those who will come after us, that the price of freedom is high," he said.

"While this is a time to mourn and remember, it is also a time to reflect on the happy memories we share with our Families and our brothers and sisters in arms. We must always keep such memories close," he said. "Our hearts go out to every Family who has lost a loved one, and we are forever indebted to your sacrifice."

The names of the following eight active-duty Soldiers and one activated National Guard Soldier have been added to the other 378 servicemember names already engraved on the memorial at Kit Carson Park.

They are:

--Staff Sgt. Joe Nunez-Rodriguez, 32nd Transportation Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade

--Spc. Ember Alt, 32nd Trans., 68th CSSB, 43rd SB

--Spc. Robert Ellis, 32nd Trans., 68th CSSB, 43rd SB

--Sgt. William Moody, 32nd Trans., 68th CSSB, 43rd SB

--Staff Sgt. Joshua Bowden, 748th Ordnance Company, 242nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

--Staff Sgt. Liam Nevins, Company B, 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

--Staff Sgt. Patrick Quinn, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

--Spc. Trinidad Santiago, Battery A, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

--Spc. Charles McClure, Battery A, 4th Bn., 42nd FA, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.