The 25th Infantry Division 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team dedicated a memorial to 18 comrades who died in Iraq in ceremonies yesterday at Schofield Barracks.

  Schofield Memorial Dedication

 

One of Hawaii's most storied fighting units honors fallen comrades with a permanent memorial.

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“;By dedicating this site, this stone, we hope to honor them and their families,”; Maj. Ross Coffey told the audience.

Families of the fallen, who were flown in through money raised from a memorial fund, wore leis.

During the ceremonies, the name of each soldier was read, followed by a maile lei placed on the memorial.

One of those honored was Spc. David Mahlenbrock, 20, of New Jersey, who died on Dec. 3, 2004.

Melissa Mahlenbrock, who lives in North Carolina with their daughter, Kadence, said she was overwhelmed by the memorial and ceremony.

“;I think the ceremony was absolutely beautiful,”; she said. “;I think David would be amazed by this.”;

Mahlenbrock said she and David were married in Hawaii and had good memories of living on Oahu.

She said although her husband was buried at Arlington National Memorial Cemetery in Virginia, Hawaii is where she feels at home with him.

“;To bring him back here feels very good,”; she said.

“;That to me symbolizes he's home now.”;

Family members of Cpl. William Lloyd McMillan III said he enjoyed serving as a medic in the military and following in the tradition of other family members who served in the Army.

“;He really wanted to do this,”; recalled his brother Brad.

His sister Lauren Buchanan said being among soldiers again reminded her of when she visited him at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia and she would wait for him to “;pop out of the aisle.”;

“;Only he's not there anymore,”; she said.