'THEY ARE RESPECTED IN DEATH'

FORT DRUM — The installation held a memorial ceremony Thursday for three 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in Iraq, including one from the north country.

Family, friends and colleagues of Pfc. Jack T. Sweet, 19, Alexandria Bay, Sgt. Timothy R. Van Orman, 24, Port Matilda, Pa., and Pfc. George J. Howell, 24, Salinas, Calif., gathered at the main post chapel to honor the 1st Brigade Combat Team soldiers.

"These men reflect all that is best in our society," said Maj. Gen. Michael L. Oates, commander of the 10th Mountain Division.

The soldiers were killed in separate incidents by improvised explosive devices while on deployment with the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Pfc. Sweet died Feb. 8 near Jawwalah, Sgt. Van Orman died Feb. 5 in Al-Muqdadiyah and Pfc. Howell died Dec. 21 near Riyadh.

At the service, commanders from the soldiers' units recounted memories of them, which were followed by taps and a moment of silence.

Sgt. Joseph E. Bruggner, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, recalled that Pfc. Sweet, nicknamed "Sweetness," was the youngest soldier in his platoon and that the other soldiers looked out for him. He said Pfc. Sweet had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around, but always took his work seriously.

"He never complained about what he was asked to do, he would just do it," Sgt. Bruggner said.

Staff Sgt. Jason A. Pearson, also of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, called Sgt. Van Orman, who served in Afghanistan and was on his second tour in Iraq, "a true American hero."

"He openly welcomed the chance to defend the American way of life," Sgt. Pearson said.

Capt. Robert E. Allen said Pfc. Howell had joined the Army to provide a better life for his wife, Kristin, and three children. He said Pfc. Howell, who joined the Army last April, quickly acclimated to the job.

"Although he was a new soldier, Pfc. Howell made immediate contributions to his unit," Capt. Allen said.

Gen. Oates said defending America has come at "an awful price" and the country must not forget the sacrifice of these soldiers.

"So let us vow to remember them always," Gen. Oates said. "They were loved in life, they are respected in death for the honor they bring to us and the example they set to all of us as American citizens."