"Brothers For Life" Remember Slain Soldier

For A Group Of Soldiers Who Lost Friend In Iraq, The Only Number That Matters Is "One"

(CBS)  Cami McCormick joined more than a dozen soldiers in Tacoma as they remembered the death, and celebrated the life of their "brother", Army Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier.

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For one group of young soldiers, most of whom were seniors in high school when the U.S. invaded Iraq, the 5th anniversary is not about numbers, political speeches or military strategy.

More than a dozen troops based in Tacoma, Washington gathered recently to commemorate a very personal milestone of the war.

During their 15 month deployment to Iraq, the Bravo Company, 5/20 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade out of Ft. Lewis was stationed first in Mosul, and then moved to Baghdad as the U.S. troop surge got underway.

From Baghdad, the company was ordered to the volatile Diyala province, one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq.

"We expected a big fight," said Spc. Alex Horton. "The IEDS were so intense and so big that we had to plan our missions around the main routes."

On March 14th, 2007, only two hours into their first day of operations in Diyala, a massive roadside bomb hit one of their Stryker vehicles. Army Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier, 21, was driving. He was killed on impact.

A year later, his young comrades, who come from Georgia, New York, Texas and Louisiana, gathered at an apartment near Tacoma to remember him with a toast.

"Rest in peace Chevy, here's to you buddy," they said as they raised their beer bottles. "Brothers for life."

Sgt. Kyle Lund tells the group he's spoken to Chevy's mother in Georgia. "She's very proud of us, and even though she lost her son, she's very grateful to know that when he went he had friends like us by his side. She loves every one of us."

Some of the soldiers wiped tears from their eyes and the group headed for the door.

"We've mourned his death now let's go celebrate his life," one of them said as they piled into vehicles.

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Listen To Cami's Report From Tacoma

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They made their way to the Thunderbird Lounge, a karaoke bar where some of them took to the stage to sing a song played at Chevy's memorial in Iraq. In the hours and days after he died they had little time to mourn. They were under fire, conducting missions and trying to avoid more roadside bombs.

"To the soldier on the ground, politics don't matter," says Lund. "The only tangible thing we can walk away with is that we brought our buddies home alive. We were there to protect each other and Chevy didn't make it. We failed at that."

"That was my brother," adds Spc. Bryan Winton. "We lived and worked and talked together. My number-one job was to take him home with me and it didn't happen, and that will probably stay with me for the rest of my life."

As U.S. casualties in Iraq approach 4,000 and the war enters its sixth year, the soldiers are divided on the importance of such landmarks.

"We're here tonight because it's not about 1, 2, 3, 4,000. It's about that one guy and the people that were around him. And there's 4,000 families out there thinking about that one guy," Lund said.

On the 5th anniversary of the invasion, they admit some soldiers are confused about their role in Iraq.

"It's not going to end anytime soon. We'll see a lot more anniversaries. It's just another one," says Horton.

Most important to them is their bond, formed during combat.

"You feel completely comfortable with people you served with, more than a brother, more than a father, more than any other relationship you ever had," says Horton, who has since left the military and hopes to start college.

Does he regret his war experience? No.

"Forty years of life experience crammed into three years. I learned a lot about life and death, what it means to be a friend and true dedication and commitment."

[grammawhamma]

God "BLESS" America!

[rosesnpearls]

Woodjd, do you have numbers to support your thesis that the largest percentage of homeless people are vets? Do you have a breakdown of the reasons for the homelessness. I can certainly see where some of the homeless people are there because of things outside of their control, but there are some homeless people are there because of decisions of their own. As far as supporting the troops, I pray that what happened to the Vietnam vets never happens to a single one of the troops sacrificing for us right now. I cringe to think of any soldier coming home and seeing traitors on the street corners with signs making them feel as though their service is wrong, the cause is wrong, etc. They and their families are sacrificing so many things, including their very lives and health to do the honorable thing and serve their country while finishing the job in Iraq. Yes, we need to do what it takes to meet their health care needs, guarantee the GI loans and education funding, etc.,but if they choose to be drug users and drunkards, they can suffer the same consequences as any other citizen who makes such pitiful decisions.

[noloyalisti]

I can''t find any mention in the network news about the nationwide protests against the occupation. Today is the 5th anniversary of the Day That Will Live in Infamy. The day we invaded an unarmed country and started murdering their citizens for our war profiteers and oil companies.

I am going to a nearby recruiting center later today to protest and tell them to get a real job that doesn''t involve killing women and children for neo con men. I am for the military to protect us, not invade countries to steal and kill.

[inmo-2009]

I am a 20 something who is experincing the politics, pains and frustrations of a war for the first time. A war that has taken a fired, a war that is affecting friends who are there now - only asking to be supported.
I don;t know the politics of Vietnam or even this war - all I know is I have seen friends leave my hometown as boys and return proud Marines, Sailors and Airmen.
I wish - as others have said - we could not be immersed in the politics and remember that there are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, moms and Dads all serving this country on foreign soil - losing their lives.
LETS SUPPORT THEM!
To the men in this story - I must say you men are the truest of heroes.

[boatquack]

This story tells it all. Why join the military? To learn what it means to be alive and the responsiblity we owe to each other. As for the future leadership for this country, yeah it is lacking. I lean towards Mcain because he loses his temper and cooks off from time to time. It would be nice to see a politician be human and when pissed off at an idiot says so. Can you imagine being able to say, "The president of the United States chewed my *** off today." that would be better than saying the masterchief chewed my *** off today; such is fame.

[libsrweak]

Semper fi my brothers..your sacrifices, life and efforts are much appreciated. may god give you strength courage and guidance..

[naucoming4u]

It is time to get off that comfy couch and do something. Please. Now I%u2019ll get off my soapbox.

Posted by woodjd42 at 10:49 AM : Mar 19, 2008
.........

No, please don''t get off your "soapbox". Because everyone needs to hear from people such as yourself about the horrible mistreatment our veterans get from our government... (the empty suits that tell the soldiers where to go and when). The reckless disregard from this and past administrations are enough to make one question what are the soldiers truly fighting for. Are they fighting for America, or are they fighting for the special interests of our civilian political leadership (as I believe we are in Iraq right now). It behooves every American to at least thank a soldier for his or her service, if they are unable to afford the time or the money to give to organizations that help our soldiers/veterans.

Woodjd42, I highly agree with you, and it should be shouted from every hilltop. I appreciate the investigative reporter for bringing to light, the horrible conditions our injured Iraq war veterans faced recently at our VA hospitals. However, I am disappointed that those stories are not followed up on, to ensure that the promises to improve the system (by our politicians) are actually getting accomplished in a timely manner.

[ladoylemd61]

RowdyTexan2, ranger1948, exCoachKen, woodjd42 - Thank you for your intelligent and honest postings here today and in the past. I''ve learned quite a bit from you guys and look forward to future postings.
AMERICA - United we stand, Divided we FALL!!!!

[amydje]

I want to say thank you to all the brave men and women who have gone overseas to fight this war. It may not be something everyone agrees with but it takes a lot of courage to do what they are doing. I admire these soldiers. I have had friends go to Iraq and some did not come back alive. It is ashame this war is taking some incredible people from our lives.

I had a grandfather who was in World War II and until the day he died he was a U. S. Marine. Because of him I have a deep respect for any soldier.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!

[woodjd42]

Let me start off with saying that I as a Vietnam vet, am not in favor of the war in Iraq. However I want to set that subject aside and make a statement on the subject of supporting the troops.

This is not aimed at any one that has served or has a loved one that has served, but at all these people that set back in their easy chairs saying %u201CI support our troops.%u201D My response is BS. Saying those words is not supporting the troops. The people of this country can not say they are supporting the troops when one out of every four homeless is a vet. When the suicide rate for vets is way up. When soldiers are being discharged without being told where and how to get help and they have to fight for every little service they deserve.

[woodjd42]

Only about one percent of the population of this country has served in the armed services but yet but yet the vets make up large percentages of homelessness, suicides, etc. And people that say there isn%u2019t anything they can do about that, I say BS again. Pressure your elected officials by writing, calling, and voting, into supporting our vets.

I have maintained that every soldier that served in Vietnam, regardless of his job, was effected by Vietnam. Some worse than others and some handled it better than others. And now with the stress of longer tours and more tours in Iraq, when these kids come home they are going to need so much more.

It is time to get off that comfy couch and do something. Please. Now I%u2019ll get off my soapbox.

[naucoming4u]

Posted by ranger1948 at 09:59 AM : Mar 19, 2008
.........

Yes, I have some respect for Ron Paul and his ideas/concepts. Though some may be nearly impossible to achieve (going back to the gold standard for example).

I would like to see a moderate third-party candidate run (Michael Bloomberg), though that dream is all but gone for this year... perhaps.

But I know that pulling out of Iraq, rapidly or slowly, will be the biggest challenge the next President (or two) will face. The economy can and has proven to recover on its own... though I have some doubts about that though that is not for this forum.

Though the economy is a deep concern for many people right now, it will be Iraq that truly tests the new President for the next four years, (in my opinion).

[ranger1948]

naucoming4u
I liked Ron Paul, less govt control, less taxes, and pulling us out of Iraq immediately. If we quit trying to be the police of the world we would have a lot less enemies. The problem is he was not well known enough. I would like to see someone with more experience than obama. I had a feeling about him from tjhe start and not it has been proven to me he isn''t the man to lead our country. I had a black friend who died in 1992. I loved and respected this man. If he were alive today i would vote for him for president. I liked colin powell but think he declined to run because he feared being shot by white extremists, or maybe he was inteligent enough to not want the job.

[ranger1948]

excoachken
You have been there so you understand where they are coming from. My daughter is in Iraq now. She volunteered to go to be with her unit. She is a true soldier and asks for no special consideration. She has seen combat but doesn''t tell me what has really happened there. I couldn''t be more proud of her or the soldiers she serves with. I met most of them before they shipped out. They are as fine of soldiers as we have ever had.

[naucoming4u]

naucoming4u
I accept your apology. Having been there i understand a parents grief and worry. It is something i wish on noone. With an open mind we all can continue to learn. Sorry for coming down so hard but it was a sore spot for me. I wake each day thankful to be alive. The vietnam war has shortened my life but made me appreciate every day i have. I am in reasonably good health so far so am enjoying life, and would like to help solve the problems our country is having. We need to come togetehr as one and take care of the problems we have at home. I pray for such leadership in the upcoming election but do not see it coming.

Posted by ranger1948 at 09:39 AM : Mar 19, 2008
..............

Thank you very much. Your kind words, and reading about your experiences gave me tears.

I am patriotic, though with my moniker, I have my doubts about the future of this country (under the current leadership). Though I still get choked up (and probably always will) when I hear our national anthem played... especially if the words are sang by an awesome singer.

Emotions aside. I see you mentioned that you do not foresee quality leadership among the possible Presidential candidates in this upcoming election. Do you see one better example than another? Or have they all fallen far short from your point of view?

(I minimally support, and am cautiously optimistic about Barak Obama for now, but that could change in the coming months for me).

[ranger1948]

rowdytexan2
I do not believe in supporting the war in Ira but i do support our troops. We as Americans need to work together to find a way to end the war and live as one people in this coutry so we can be a great nation again. It says they remember a fallen soldier, what most of the world doesn''t understand is it is something they will never be able to forget.

[rowdytexan2]

Despite the politics of the war, our young soldiers are engaged in a noble cause to protect the Iraqi people. And they are well supported and loved. They are Americans with a big heart and they see injustice first hand as they do their duty.

It is our job over here stateside to fight the politics of this occupation and to urge or politicians to come to a solution and put an end to Iraqi suffering and an extended military initiative.

God bless our young soldiers.

[ranger1948]

naucoming4u
I accept your apology. Having been there i understand a parents grief and worry. It is something i wish on noone. With an open mind we all can continue to learn. Sorry for coming down so hard but it was a sore spot for me. I wake each day thankful to be alive. The vietnam war has shortened my life but made me appreciate every day i have. I am in reasonably good health so far so am enjoying life, and would like to help solve the problems our country is having. We need to come togetehr as one and take care of the problems we have at home. I pray for such leadership in the upcoming election but do not see it coming.

[naucoming4u]

JERSupporter --- "...and your opinion means nothing." --- Fine, and that''s your opinion.

ranger1948, and all others:

Please accept my sincere apology if I have offended you or your soldier sons and/or daughters. That was not my intention, and I should not have asked my question the way I did and/or rephrased my question differently.

ranger1948, I appreciate that you are able to separate the support for the troops from the support (or lack of) for the war in Iraq. I too support our troops and I also do not support the war in Iraq for several reasons. My support for the troops is also shown by my donations (though somewhat small) to the VFW and USO every year, (as opposed to a simple bumper sticker), but I digress. In any case, I hope your daughter comes home safely. I am quite sure you and your son are very thankful for life, and the ability to live it, considering your injuries/disabilities. That certainly takes strength. Oh, and thank you for abstaining from the rhetoric, even though you strongly disagreed with my question.

[naucoming4u]

JERSupporter --- "...and your opinion means nothing." --- Fine, and that''s your opinion.

ranger1948, and all others:

Please accept my sincere apology if I have offended you or your soldier sons and/or daughters. That was not my intention, and I should have rephrased my question differently.

ranger1948, I appreciate that you are able to separate the support for the troops from the support (or lack of) for the war in Iraq. I too support our troops, I donate money to the VFW every year, (though minimally due to financial reasons), but I digress. In any case, I hope your daughter comes home safely. I am quite sure you and your son are very thankful for life, and the ability to live it, considering your injuries/disabilities. That certainly takes strength. Oh, and thank you for abstaining from the rhetoric, even though you strongly disagreed with my question.