Carson dedicates 22 names added to Fallen Soldiers' Memorial

Gray clouds hovered above as family members gathered Thursday morning to remember the lives of 22 fallen soldiers whose names were added to the Fort Carson Warrior Memorial.

The eighth annual memorial service honored 21 soldiers who were killed since April 2010 and a 10th Special Forces soldier who died in 2005.

With their names permanently engraved in a nine-stone monument near Fort Carson’s main gate, the service resonated a message that speaker Brig. Gen. James Doty emphasized: “The soldiers we remember today will not be forgotten.”

Doty, Fort Carson’s acting commander, continued that the soldiers played a valuable role in establishing partnerships between Iraq and Afghanistan. He expressed gratitude and acknowledged the sacrifices of family members in attendance.

“A soldier does not sacrifice alone, for when soldiers deploy overseas, the hearts of their families travel with them,” Doty said to the crowd.

A somber song of bagpipes sounded as soldiers performed a roll call salute to those honored.

Following the ceremony, family members visited the stone memorial, some taking photos or tracing the etching of their soldier’s name.

Susana Benitez recalled her husband Staff Sgt. Carlos Benitez as a light-hearted man who valued his family. He often made time for his two kids to go bowling, to the movies or visit relatives in Texas.

“He was an honorable man,” Benitez said. “He was so hard on himself, but to me, he was wonderful at his job.”

Carlos Benitez died in October 2010 while deployed in Afghanistan. Benitez said he was always prepared for whatever was expected of him, and it was in his nature to encourage others.

“I remember the time we did the Manitou Springs incline together,” Benitez said. “He was way ahead of me and I was huffing and puffing, but he motivated me to keep going.”

Tari Cofield attended the ceremony as part of Blue Star Mothers, an organization that offers resources to mothers who have children serving in the military. The local chapter of about 30 women reaches out to mothers who have lost a child.

“Their biggest fear is that their child’s success is going to be forgotten. We let them know that no, it’s never going to be forgotten,” Cofield said, holding back tears.

Capt. Jason Elrod said Fort Carson assures families that each soldier’s legacy will be remembered, and includes them in fishing trips for children and a battalion ball. These events, along with the memorial ceremony, offer families a glimpse into their loved one’s lives as a soldier.

“When they come and get to visit with the other soldiers and hear stories, usually funny ones, they get to see how they were as a soldier and not just as a son or a husband,” Elrod said.