News Tribune reporter Kris Sherman files this updated report:

The seven Fort Lewis Stryker soldiers who died in a bomb blast two weeks ago were "decent, ordinary, yet extraordinary men." Vice President Joe Biden said at a ceremony today. "They are all of our sons, and they are all of our brothers," he said.

"There is a nation...in grief with you...and we owe you," he told the soldiers' families during the service.

Biden called the men "fallen angels" and told the estimated 300 mourners he had come to "let you know that the president and all of the United States of America honors the sacrifices that they made."

Among the guests Tuesday was former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili, the retired general who lives in Steilacoom. Biden addressed him specifically at one point in his remarks.

"General Shalikashvili, you told me a long, long time ago about the spirit of these kids – they're not kids, they're grown men and women – but it's amazing to me, it's amazing how so few do so much for so many. It's that valiance that animates our memories of the 833 men and women who have sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan, and of the 4,360 who we've lost in Iraq.

"It's that valiance that we remember here today at Fort Lewis. It's that valiance that we honor today at Fort Hood. And it's that valiance that we'll celebrate tomorrow, our nation's 91st Veterans Day."

Soldiers escorted Biden into the North Fort Chapel at Fort Lewis around 1:20 p.m., just ahead of family members in attendance.

Biden met with several family members before the service. Fort Lewis officials couldn't immediately confirm which family members were included in the meeting, but Vicky Walz, mother of Pfc. Christopher I. Walz of Vancouver, was scheduled to be among them.

Security was ultra-tight this morning as the post prepared for the memorial service for the seven men from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division killed Oct. 27 when a bomb hit their vehicle in the Arghandab Valley of Afghanistan. It was the deadliest day for Fort Lewis since the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The ceremony was not open to the general public. A variety of dignitaries turned out, including U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Belfair) and Adam Smith (D-Tacoma).

The soldiers being remembered this Veterans Day Eve are:

* Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24, of Broussard, La.

* Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, 27, of South Ozone Park, N.Y.

* Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, 24, of Alamo, Texas.

* Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, 29, of Terre Haute, Ind.

* Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, 27, of Plattsburg, Mo.

* Spc. Jared D. Stanker, 22, of Evergreen Park, Ill,

* Pfc. Christopher I. Walz, 25, of Vancouver, Wash.

People were gathering already in the chapel late this morning, 90 minutes before the scheduled 1 p.m. service.

Members of the press corps, including local newspapers, radio and television stations are covering the service. A CNN reporter also is on the scene.

Members of the media were asked to arrive 2 1/2 hours early for the memorial, then boarded a bus for transport to the chapel, a break from the normal routine. A bomb-sniffing Labrador retriever named Ellen carefully picked through an assortment of gear - cameras, telephoto lenses, tripods and television cameras. Members of the media were wanded by military policemen before admittance to the chapel.

Biden spent Monday night at the Murano Hotel in downtown Tacoma, and left town Tuesday afternoon.

Categories: 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis
Tags: