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Last updated 6:34AM ET
May 26, 2012
KPLU Local News
KPLU Local News
Vice President Lauds Fallen Fort Lewis Soldiers
Tom Banse (2009-11-11)
Photo by Tom Banse
FORT LEWIS, WA (KPLU) - On the same day President Obama led a memorial service at Fort Hood in Texas, Washington's Fort Lewis honored seven fallen soldiers of its own. They were killed in Afghanistan two weeks ago. Vice President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy at the service. KPLU's Tom Banse reports from the Fort Lewis chapel.

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Seven pairs of boots were lined up in front of seven inverted rifles - helmets on top - to symbolize the fallen. The infantrymen were on patrol in southern Afghanistan when a powerful roadside bomb blew up the Stryker vehicle they all were riding in. Vice President Joe Biden said he came to deliver the nation's condolences to a post that has "suffered an extraordinary loss."

Joe Biden: "We don't have the sense of profound grief you are experiencing today, but we grieve with you and we owe you. We owe your more than you can ever be repaid."

Fort Lewis' Fifth Stryker Brigade has taken heavy casualties in Afghanistan. Two more deaths were announced on Monday raising this brigade's losses to 28 total since it deployed in mid-summer. I'm Tom Banse at Fort Lewis. © Copyright 2012, KPLU