Military Base Honors Fallen Soldiers

“I wear the colors because others don’t want to. I use an M-4 so others don’t have to. I wear the uniform because I want to. I’ll lay down my life so others can live.”

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By Heather Hintze
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Story Created: Jun 28, 2012 at 7:12 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 28, 2012 at 7:31 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Dozens of soldiers and friends gathered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Thursday to remember two men killed in battle.

Nathan Davis and Vincent Ellis were deployed to Afghanistan in December with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

“While we are losing soldiers to the war, it means we're taking it to the enemy which is good. Getting out into the unpatrolled provinces and fighting the enemy where they are. That's the way we're going to win the war,” said 1st Lieutenant Luke Friese.

Davis, 20, joined the military after high school. The California native was on his first tour of duty when an improvised explosive device killed him on June 9.

Ellis, 22, called Tokyo, Japan home. He died June 4 after being wounded by enemy fire. His comrades remember him as a hero.

“He fulfilled is obligation to his leadership and to the army by being an excellent soldier and living the warrior ethos that we seek to instill in every soldier,” said Friese, who worked with Ellis in Afghanistan.

A quote from Ellis’s Facebook page shows how he wants to be remembered.

“I wear the colors because others don’t want to. I use an M-4 so others don’t have to. I wear the uniform because I want to. I’ll lay down my life so others can live.”
 

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Kathleen Tonn / Move the Mountain Ministries... said on Tuesday, Jul 17 at 3:21 PM

I think of the mothers of these young men, and I just want to say, my heart cries with you...

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