Five years later, soldiers reflect on 179 Fort Lewis casualties

Five years later, soldiers reflect on 179 Fort Lewis casualties
On this 5th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, the soldiers and their commanders say the deaths that happen today are just as hard to take as those back in 2003.

By Keith Eldridge
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FORT LEWIS -- This base is 6th on the list of military bases with the most casualties in the war in Iraq. But the soldiers at Fort Lewis say they want to make sure each and every soldier is honored for their supreme sacrifice.When the fighting in Iraq began, it was everyone's hope that the U.S. could get through the conflict with very few soldier deaths, and have it be over and done with quickly.That was five years and 179 Fort Lewis casualties ago.Time and again, soldiers, their families and friends have gathered to pay honor to those who've fallen.On this 5th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, the soldiers and their commanders say the deaths that happen today are just as hard to take as those back in 2003.

The first Fort Lewis soldier to die in Iraq was MP Travis Burkhardt in June of 2003.

One of the most recent is Cpl. Kevin Mowl."You are greatly missed my friend," Staff Sgt. Kenneth Hoffman said last Friday at the memorial service. "Never will you be forgotten."

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