For the moment, Fort Lewis has completed all the memorial ceremonies for the post’s soldiers whose deaths have been announced by the Department of Defense.

Officials said another 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division soldier was killed last weekend, but said they could release no information until an announcement by the Pentagon.

At Tuesday’s ceremonies:

 • The 4th Brigade remembered three more of its soldiers killed in its nearly two months in Iraq: Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, 23, Sgt. Danny R. Soto, 24, and Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22.

 • The 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment memorialized its first two soldiers to be killed in two Iraq deployments: Cpl. Llythaniele Fender and Cpl. Meresebang Ngiraked, both 21.

 • And the post community gathered to pay its respects to Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Henderson, 35, who was stationed at Fort Lewis in 2005-06 before volunteering to join a team of advisers to the Afghan National Army out of Fort Riley, Kan.

The morning 4th Brigade ceremony had the symbolic representations that go into every Army memorial. There were three rifles with bayonets, pointing down, each with a helmet and identification tags and pair of combat boots.

These days the display has become as potent a symbol of military service to the nation as Arlington National Cemetery itself, said Maj. Chad Sundem, the 4th Brigade rear detachment commander.

“The inverted rifle with bayonet attached signal a time for prayer and reflection. The combat boots represent the final march to the last battle,” Sundem said.

“Lately our nation has been moved by this repeated image honoring thousands of soldiers, with portraits accompanying, gently bringing this collection to life.”

Family members of the three soldiers stood together in front of the display, holding one another for several moments at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The chaplain, Lt. Col. John Pettit, told the audience the country owes the soldiers “the highest gratitude a nation can give.”

Sundem hailed them as “soldiers, dedicated, loyal, professional, brothers, brave. … bravely thrusting themselves between us and the enemies of our ideas, sheltering us from the true cost of freedoms.

“…Although their names won’t likely be written in any history books, their courageous actions will immeasurably affect the story that’s put on paper.”

SOLDIERS MEMORIALIZED TUESDAY

Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, 23, of Massillon, Ohio.

Died June 9 after he was shot in Taji, serving with the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment.

Endlich joined the Army in June 2003 as an aspiring airborne infantryman and went straight into the famed 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was sent to New Orleans to help after Hurricane Katrina, then reassigned to the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis.

“He was a little upset to be immersed in a bunch of soldiers training to be cowboys, wearing Stetsons and spurs,” said Spc. Taylor Green.

But it wasn’t long before he gave in to the trappings of the cavalry. “He truly believed in what he was doing,” his friend said.

Endlich is survived by his parents and two brothers.

Sgt. Danny R. Soto, 24, of Houston.

Died June 16 when his Humvee was struck by a buried bomb in Rashidiyah. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment.

Soto joined the Army in February 2005 and made an immediate impression joining 4th Brigade at Fort Lewis the following June. He quickly assumed leadership responsibilities in his gun section beyond his rank of private.

Some said growing up in Honduras and being the head of his household at a young age, caring for his mother and sisters, built his character.

“I have learned more from him than any other soldier I have encountered,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Duren.

Soto is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and their toddler son, Jonathan.

Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, of Beach City, Ohio.

Died June 16 with Soto.

Grass enlisted in 2005 and arrived at Fort Lewis that June to help build the 4th Brigade.

“With his quick smile, a sly joke, he could see the humor in every situation,” said Capt. Tyler Standish, his battalion’s rear detachment commander.

A former roommate, Pvt. Charles Rose, said he used to call Grass “Clark Kent” because of how fast he could get into his civilian clothes after a long day of soldiering.

Grass played basketball and baseball at Fairless High School in his small town. They retired his jersey number 24 in a ceremony for him there Monday.

Grass is survived by his parents.

Cpl. Llythaniele Fender, 21, of Medical Lake, Wash.

Died June 10 when a suicide truck-bomber attacked his position near Mahmudiya.

Fender joined the Army in 2004 and was stationed in Korea until his unit, the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, was moved to Fort Lewis in spring 2006. He joined soldiers on a firefighting mission to Eastern Washington last summer, then deployed to Iraq in February.

Fender grew up in Wyoming, Colorado and Iowa, where he considered Onawa his home. Over the last few years his parents moved to Spokane County.

His mother, Ellen, released a statement that said, “He was a wonderful son and brother with a huge heart who served his country with great pride.”

Fender is survived by his parents and sister.

Cpl. Meresebang Ngiraked, 21, of Koror, Republic of Palau.

Died June 10 with Fender.

Ngiraked joined the Army in 2004 and was sent to Korea after completing artillery training at Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Bliss, Texas. He moved with his unit to Fort Lewis in spring 2006.

He was the oldest of five children in the tiny South Pacific island nation of Palau, where the president and vice president are expected to attend his state funeral Saturday. U.S. officials reportedly will present his parents with a certificate of citizenship.

He is survived by his parents and four siblings.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Henderson, 35, of Hillsboro, Ore.

Died June 17 in Panjway, Afghanistan, in a bombing near his vehicle while serving with a team of military advisers from Fort Riley, Kan.

Henderson was stationed at Fort Lewis in 2005-06 before he volunteered last year to join a military assistance team to Afghanistan.

His wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Kayley, remained at Fort Lewis.

“Chris always had a smile on his face and never really had enemies because of this,” Jennifer Henderson said in a statement. “He was always willing to help people. … He loved us deeply and made sure that even though he was thousands of miles away that he was there for us.”