KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Three memorial fires provided the only light during the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division's "Tribute To Our Fallen Soldiers," Jan. 1, on Kandahar Air Field.

The fires represented the lives of 32 Stryker soldiers who have passed away since the brigade arrived in Afghanistan in July, 2009. The brigade's first casualties occurred, Aug. 18, 2009, as two soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment were killed by a land mine during a dismounted patrol in the Arghandab River Valley. The last of the 32, Staff Sgt. David Gutierrez, was killed Christmas day by another enemy explosive device.

Col. Harry Tunnell IV, commander of 5/2 SBCT, spoke first at the ceremony, urging the brigade's soldiers to never forget their fallen comrades.

"While it is important to know the circumstances in which these men fought and died, it is even more important to remember how they lived," Tunnell said. "We have all stood at memorial ceremonies during which leaders and friends highlight that the fallen will not be forgotten. This remembrance is one way to fulfill that pledge."

Tunnell was followed by Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Prosser, the top enlisted soldier in 5/2 SBCT. Prosser added a specific element to the memorial in honor of one of the fallen, Spc. Kyle Coumas.

"I cannot help but remember one individual that seemed like every time I ran into him here at KAF, he was always out of uniform," Prosser said. "He always had his hat on wrong or just didn't have his hat on, so I ask everybody - take your hat off, please. For young Coumas, we are now in uniform."

Following his introductory words Prosser read aloud the names of the deceased to the audience of brigade soldiers, civilians, and a few distinguished guests. Each maneuver battalion was represented in the reading: the Buffaloes of 1-17 Infantry; the Legionnaires of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment; the Mohawks of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment; and the Black Hawks of 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment.

After the ceremony, many soldiers shared dinner while gathered around the memorial fires. Officers and enlisted members of the brigade stood or pulled up chairs to talk about the ceremony and those it honored.

"It gave us a chance to forget about work for a second," said Lt. Col. Patrick Gaydon, commander of the Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "It allowed us to put our hair down, so to speak. "

5/2 SBCT intends to honor these fallen warriors again upon their return to Fort Lewis, Washington. The commitment to remember the fallen stressed by the brigade commander was echoed the next day in the words of brigade command sergeant major.

"[In last night's service, we members of] the brigade gave these men our respect and gratitude for their devotion, service and sacrifice," said Prosser. "May we all remember how important their lives were to us. Our ranks might be lighter but our hearts will always be full with pride for serving with such men."