"Brothers For Life" Remember Slain Soldier

(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."
By Cami McCormick

[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
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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.