Residents mourn deaths of Fort Riley soldiers in Iraq

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April 02, 2004

Residents mourn deaths of Fort Riley soldiers in Iraq

By John Milburn
Associated Press


FORT RILEY, Kan. — Residents near this historic Army post were moved by the death of five Fort Riley soldiers in Iraq, but also understood the loss was part of war.

“Every time we lose one it’s a tragedy for the fort and the community,” said Geary County Sheriff Jim Jensen, a Vietnam veteran and member of the American Legion, pausing for a moment Thursday in Junction City. “They are part of our community.”

Soldiers, who declined to discuss the latest developments, continued to frequent Junction City’s downtown area, shopping, paying bills and grabbing a bite to eat

The soldiers were killed Wednesday when a bomb detonated under their M-113 in Malahma, an area in the Sunni Triangle — roughly between Baghdad, Ramadi and Tikrit. It was the deadliest day for Fort Riley, which now has lost 35 soldiers since the war began, nearly double the number of deaths during the Persian Gulf War.

On Friday, the Defense Department identified the five soldiers as 1st Lt. Doyle M. Hufstedler, 25, of Abilene, Texas; Spc. Sean R. Mitchell, 24, of Youngsville, Pa.; Spc. Michael G. Karr Jr., 23, of San Antonio, Texas; Pfc. Cleston C. Raney, 20, of Rupert, Idaho; and Pvt. Brandon L. Davis, 20, of Cumberland, Md.

All were members of the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division.

About 4,600 Fort Riley soldiers are in Iraq. The five soldiers who died Wednesday were part of the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade, which deployed in September.

In all, at least 597 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since the war began March 20, 2003. President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1.

Jensen, the county sheriff, who served in the 1st Division, including 18 months in combat, said the fight in Iraq is difficult because after disposing of the main opposition, “bad people” continue to use deadly tactics.

Scott Price, a retired Army major at Fort Riley, said support for the soldiers still in Iraq remained steadfast at home in light of the less-than grateful population.

“They are biting the hand that feeds them, but biting it off at the wrist,” Price said.

Pearl Speer, the post’s community services director, said the deaths were difficult to cope with because of the number of soldiers associated with one unit, but the mood was somewhat different from a year ago.

“There isn’t as much anxiety right now, even though each death causes anxiety,” Speer said.

At this time last year, troops still were moving forward and families did not know where their loved ones were. Now, with better communication being established, families generally know where their soldiers are in relation to attacks.

Fort Riley spokeswoman Christie Vanover described the mood on post as “almost a state of schizophrenia” — a mood that is amplified by ceremonies celebrating the return of some soldiers.

“They will be looking around for who’s not standing,” she said. “Families will be rejoicing on the heels of casualties. It’s just a reminder that this war’s not over.”

The deaths came one day before the one-year anniversary of the first Fort Riley death in Iraq.

Sgt. Jacob Butler, 24, was a scout with the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Armored Division. He died April 1, 2003, at Assamawah, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle.

Members of the 1st Armored Division and the 937th Engineer Group, which are based at Fort Riley, were deployed at the start of the war and are coming back to Kansas. A group of 1,000 was due to return betwee n Friday and Sunday.

Bank president Robert Munson, who learned of the five Fort Riley deaths Thursday, paused and reflected on what he called “the supreme sacrifice” the soldiers are paying.

“It’s awful tough,” he said. “The whole community is affected.”

Down the street, lined with yellow ribbons and American flags, Connie Hall recalled her own anxieties when her son — a Marine — was in Iraq for six months.

Hall, director of the convention and visitors bureau, said residents know that she probably helped some soldiers who died find information about the area at some point. That’s not uncommon in a community that has prayed and played with soldiers for 150 years.

“We hate getting the news,” said Hall, who receives e-mails from Fort Riley identifying soldiers who have died. “I hate to look at the pictures to see if I knew one of them.” But, she added, “We’re a military town and a lot of time that means sacrifices.”