Six helmets, six rifles, six pairs of buff-colored combat boots, six framed photographs. They proclaimed the memory of six locally based soldiers who died last month in Iraq. All were members of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division – the only Fort Lewis infantry unit that remains in Iraq after its sister brigade returned home in recent weeks.

All of the men were in their 20s. Five were from the same battalion. Three were killed in the same explosion.

Family, friends, fellow soldiers and other members of the Fort Lewis family came together to honor the six Wednesday afternoon at the Main Post Chapel.

The fallen were:

 • Cpl. Nicholas P. Olson, Cpl. Donald E. Valentine III and Cpl. Joseph N. Landry III, who were fatally wounded when a roadside bomb went off near their patrol in Muqdadiyah, about 50 miles northeast of Baghdad.

 • Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr., who died two days later in the same city, also a victim of an improvised explosive.

 • Cpl. David L. Watson, who died of wounds sustained in a noncombat-related accident.

 • Cpl. Graham M. McMahon, who died of a noncombat-related illness.

News this week of lower death tolls among U.S. soldiers last month in Iraq seemed distant and irrelevant inside the chapel, where both the stoic and the tearful faced the reality of war.

Maj. Chad Sundem, 4th Brigade rear detachment commander, said he was driving home recently and found himself crying as he had as a 6-year-old at his grandmother’s funeral. He was struck by having no answers as to why these men should die so young.

Wednesday was his 10th time, he said, holding a service for a total of 27 “national treasures … all them wonderful friends, sons, brothers, fathers – courageous, brave.”

He said he knows that each death “rips at our souls,” which is why the brigade has no option but to give each a perfect memorial service.

“They deserve no less,” Sundem said. “These six men were our brothers.”

Using a crutch for support, Sgt. Christopher Bagwell came forward to praise Olson and Valentine, who were part of his team.

“I was lucky to serve with them. … I could count on them,” he said. “The loss of these two men is a great tragedy; to forget them is worse.

“I love both of you and I always will. We all will.”

Cpl. Kevin Marcucci said the five fallen soldiers in his battalion – the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment – all met the definition of a hero and were men who took the path less traveled.

“A hero need not speak; the world will speak for them,” he said, quoting a promotional line from the Halo video game series.

The nearly 4,000 soldiers of the 4th Brigade have about nine months left in their scheduled 15-month combat deployment.

SIX YOUNG MEN, DEAD TOO EARLY IN IRAQ

Cpl. Joseph N. Landry III

Landry, 23, of Pensacola, Fla., was killed Sept. 18 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised bomb detonated near his unit.

A 2003 high school graduate, he enlisted in September 2004 and arrived at Fort Lewis the following March after infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment with the 4th Stryker Brigade.

He is survived by his parents, Joseph and Karen Landry, and a brother, Chris Landry, 16.

At Wednesday’s memorial service, Sgt. James Tuitama recalled Landry as a soldier he “could always depend on to get the job done.”

Tuitama said Landry was his best friend. The young soldier was the kind of person who would drop whatever he was doing if someone said he needed help, Tuitama added.

Escambia County, Fla., sheriff’s deputies met his flag-draped casket when it was flown home Sept. 27.

“It’s an honor to help lead him to his resting place,” Sgt. Robby Way told the Pensacola News Journal. “These people protect our country and keep us safe.”

Cpl. Nicholas P. Olson

Olson, 22, of Novato, Calif., died Sept. 18 from the same IED that detonated near the patrol in Muqdadiyah, the Defense Department said.

He enlisted in October 2004 and arrived at Fort Lewis the following April, after infantry training at Fort Benning. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry. He served as unit armorer and later as a rifleman.

Olson leaves behind his wife, Nicole, and 10-month-old daughter, Melody.

His wife and his daughter attended Wednesday’s memorial service, where Olson was remembered by his team leader, Sgt. Christopher Bagwell, as technically and tactically perfect.

Bagwell said Olson’s family was the love of his life. He is also survived by his parents, Raymond and Anita Olson.

Novato High School assistant principal Dan Curtaz told the San Francisco Chronicle that Olson was enrolled in the junior ROTC program and always wore his uniform with pride.

Cpl. Donald E. Valentine III

Valentine, 21, of Orange Park, Fla., died Sept. 18 in Muqdadiyah along with Landry and Olson in the bomb detonation.

Valentine’s father told The Associated Press that his son was motivated to join the Army by the Sept. 11 attacks. He enlisted in September 2004 and arrived at Fort Lewis the following March after training at Fort Benning.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, and served as an ammunition bearer and later a grenadier.

He was remembered Wednesday as a proficient soldier. Sgt. Christopher Bagwell said he was lucky to have him on his team.

While at Fort Lewis, Valentine met Lucia, and the couple married last year, according to a story in the Houston Chronicle.

He last spoke to his wife on their anniversary, three days before he died. The couple had intended to start a family soon, his wife told the newspaper. She described her husband as having a great personality, beautiful eyes and “all the qualities any girl would want.”

He is also survived by his parents, Donald and Anna Valentine.

Cpl. Graham M. McMahon

McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, Ore., died Sept. 19 at the U.S. military hospital at Balad, Iraq, of an illness that was not related to combat, the Pentagon said in a news release.

He enlisted in the Army on May 19, 2004. After his initial training as a medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis in December 2004, where he was part of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment.

He is survived by his wife, Angelique, and his parents, William and Karen McMahon.

At Wednesday’s memorial, Capt. Erik Summers said McMahon was one of the first soldiers assigned to the new brigade.

“Every time you spoke with him he had a smile on his face that showed his eagerness to accomplish his task,” Summers said of the young medic.

“The men in his unit were at ease because they knew McMahon would take care of them,” he said. “I don’t have answers as to why his life was cut short at such a young age, but I do know he is in a better place.”

Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr.

Marciante, 25, of Elizabeth, N.J., died Sept. 20 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, after a bomb detonated near his vehicle, according to the Department of Defense.

He was assigned to the brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. He joined the Army in May 2004 in Portland and arrived at Fort Lewis in November after training. He served as a Stryker driver.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Lorenzo, as well as his parents, Luigi Sr. and Marina Marciante.

Known as Louie, he was looking forward to coming home early next year to be with his wife and his son.

His brother-in-law Richard Jacobwitz told The News Tribune last month that Marciante was “a patriot kid, a good kid who just wanted to serve his country.”

He hoped to become a law enforcement officer like his father, who was a police officer in Italy, Jacobwitz said.

Cpl. David L. Watson

Watson, 29, of Newport, Ark., died Sept. 22 in Iraq of a noncombat-related injury. Further details weren’t available.

He served with the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. He entered the service Feb. 23, 1997, and began his current term of active service Sept. 25, 2005. After training as a medic, he reported to Fort Lewis on June 22, 2006.

At Wednesday’s memorial, Spc. Foad Samsami recalled Watson as the kind of person who could light up a room with his smile.

“He had a great attitude toward life,” Samsami said. “He just did his job.”

Hundreds of supporters filled the auditorium at Tuckerman High School in Newport on Sept. 29 to honor his life and his service, according to a story by KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, Ark.

“He had an infectious smile, and always wanted you to know he was glad to meet you. Every time I’d see him he’d give me a smile or a wave,” a friend, Gloria Walker, told the TV station.

Watson leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and two sons, Dayton and David. He is also survived by his mother, Linda Watson.

Mike Archbold: 253-597-8692

mike.archbold@thenewstribune.com