HOHENFELS, Germany -- In the decade since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in which four commercial air liners became missiles targeted at America, thousands of American Soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. The war has touched countless lives, and impacted our entire nation, but nowhere more so, than in our Military communities, where brave young men and women continue the struggle for freedom and democracy.

Every military community faces loss, but it is in how we respond to this loss that defines the meaning.

On June 29, the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment honored four of its fallen warriors by dedicating four rooms in the Battalion Headquarters to Soldiers who had paid the ultimate price.

“For me it was a way to memorialize our Soldiers that were killed during the time that I was in command of the battalion,” said Lt. Col. Rafael A. Parades, 1st-4th Inf. Reg. commander. “Not to remember them in death, but in celebration of the life that they led.”

Plaques bearing their names hung above the rooms, and photos with biographical information grace the walls inside. Paredes said some of the surviving family members helped choose some of the pictures with the intent to reflect the memory of the men in life.

“These men made a big difference to the people they worked with and interacted with. I wanted to try and inspire others to live their life like they did,” said Paredes. “We will continue to cherish the memories of how they lived their lives, and how, in the process, they gained the love and admiration of everyone around them.”

The inspiration for the rooms chosen came from the everyday activities of the four Soldiers. For Capt. Mark A. Garner, battalion logistics officer and company commander, a large part of his day was spent in the conference room which now bears his name.

“We chose the cardio room for Staff Sgt. (Marc A.) Arizmendez cause he was always in there, always working out,” said Paredes.

Spc. Roger Lee’s name now hangs above the OPFOR Academy room, while the battalion classroom was named after Pfc. Michael S. Pridham, Jr.

“Every Soldier that is assigned to this battalion goes in these rooms,” said Paredes. “My intention is that as long as this building is occupied by the 1st-4th Inf. Reg., that these warriors will continue to inspire us on a daily basis to be better leaders, better husbands, parents, friends, and Soldiers.”

Gold Star spouses Mrs. Nickayla Myers-Garner and Mrs. Barbara Arizmendez cut the ribbons leading to the rooms named after their respective Soldiers.

“The families should be proud of their Soldiers’ service and know that they will never be forgotten,” said Paredes.