Memorial ceremony held for fallen U.S. service members

News Release

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CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (06/27/2008)(readMedia)-- A memorial ceremony was held today at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, for eight U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix (CJTF-P) who were killed last week as a result of combat operations in Afghanistan.

"These young men are Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the finest military tradition," said Colonel Brian K. Balfe, the commander of CJTF-P to a formation comprised of nearly 300 U.S. and coalition service members and distinguished guests paying tribute to fallen warriors during a special ceremony held in the base's Patriot Square.

"All volunteered for their own reasons. The Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps each lost true warriors. All served. All sacrificed," said Col. Balfe.

Representatives of the Afghan National Army and the Camp Phoenix-based French and Romanian detachments also participated.

Many comrades of the fallen personnel from Camp Phoenix and other bases were present to pay tribute.

The following U.S personnel were commemorated in today's event.

Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, of Fort Mohave, Ariz., was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, Calif. He died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, of Lexington, KY died June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, of Bryant, Ind. died June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The following U.S. Army personnel died June 21 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md., who was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan

Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, N.Y., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.

Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.

Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y. Sgt Seabrooks wife and two children reside in Newport News, Va.

Cutlines:

DSC 1018A US Army Photo by Capt. Robert Romano (Released)

Afghanistan's only female general officer, Brigadier General Khatol Mohammad Zai, prays before a "Fallen Warrior" Memorial during a ceremony held June 27 in Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan to remember four fallen Marines and four fallen Soldiers.

Three New York Army National Guard Soldiers--Sgt. Andrew Seabrook, Sgt. Rodriguez-Rameriz, and Specialist Anthony Mangano-- were mong those recognized during the event.

The three New York National Guard Soldiers, and an Active Component officer, were killed June 21 when an improvised explosive device attacked their vehicle near Khandahar.

080627-A-3874O-0179.jpg U.S. Army Photo by Specialist Jennifer Ocque (released.)

Sgt. Andrew T. Bourne, Company A, 427th Brigade support Battalion and Sgt. David Cunningham also from Company A 427th, pay tribute to their fallen friend Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.

080627-A-3874O-0005.jpg U.S. Army Photo by Specialist Jennifer Ocque (released.)

Two Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII Soldiers kneel before the Fallen Warrior display in Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan

Video Download Information:

Video regarding "Fallen Comrades Ceremony" at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan for members of the 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York National Guard, serving with Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix is being transmitted by the Department of Defense Visual Information Distribution System. At these Coordinates:

COORDINATES - CHANNEL 1

DIGITAL C-BAND

Galaxy 11-C21

D/L Frequency 4133

Horizontal

L-Band 1017

Symbol Rate 6.1113

FEC 5/6

Data Rate 9386637

DVIDS 1 Service or Channel 1

IFB Channel 1 - 678-421-6720

Tech problems call: 1-678-421-6604

The video will be available from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs website after 3:30 p.m. June 27 at :http://dmna.state.ny.us/video/video.php