The city of DuPont, hailed as a community with at least a 40 percent military population, has made a gesture that exemplifies its dedication to those who serve. On Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - at precisely 11 a.m., the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in DuPont was unveiled. The memorial lists the names of 13 DuPont residents who have lost their lives since Sept. 11, 2001.

I Corps Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe served as the keynote speaker and spoke of the tradition of taking a moment of silence on this day.

"The moment of silence is typical, and in the silence we give our veterans our full attention and respect," he said. "But no one knows silence like a military family. When servicemembers choose to serve today, they know they will enter into harm's way, but they do it to give others the opportunity for a better life."

The cost of the project was covered entirely through donations, which came both from the business community and individuals. In just nine months, the memorial committee raised $27,400 - enough that a fund has been set aside to pay for regular maintenance as well as the engraving of any additional names. The committee also received assistance from the city's community connector partner, the 6th Military Police Group (Criminal Investigation Division) on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and an above-average donation of $5,000 from the newest business downtown, America's Credit Union.

"I've been asked why we did this and why now. My response is that we wanted to show the active military and their families in the community that we actively support and care for you," said retired Col. Phil Courts, who was the catalyst for and planner of the entire memorial project. "Military need support to be successful, and that support cannot be fragile," he said. "We also want to show those (who) have lost someone that we mourn with you and we will remember."

In addition to the names of 11 fallen soldiers, the wall also lists the names of two men who were working as contractors overseas when they were killed. Both had previous military service, one in the Army and one in the Reserves, but were not active duty at the time their deaths.

"Never before has our military integrated so many civilian contractors in a mission," Courts said in response to questions about why the contractors' names were included on the memorial. "2,050 contractors have lost their lives during this war by being part of the mission. That's why their names are included."

The following names are inscribed on the DuPont War Memorial: Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Mora; Sgt. 1st Class Nathan L. Winder; Capt. John L. Hallett III; Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda; Mr. Jerry Palinsky; Staff Sgt. Henry K. Kahalawai; retired Master Sgt. Dane C. Paresi; Spc. Alexander D. Fallstone; Staff Sgt. Sean D. Diamond; Staff Sgt. Michael Burbank; Master Sgt. Brian A. Mack; Spc. James L. Miller; and Spc. Mark. W. Jackson.

The memorial, which will be continuously lit after dark, is located in Ross Plaza, 1500 Ross Loop, off of Wilmington Drive.