Fallen Soldiers Remembered Thursday

Fourteen soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division who gave the ultimate sacrifice were remembered in a ceremony Thursday morning.

The ceremony honored fallen Raiders who died during the brigade’s recent deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Soldiers being memorialized are:

Capt. (Chaplain) Dale A. Goetz 1st Lt. Mark A. Noziska Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Kessler Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante Staff Sgt. Casey J. Grochowiak Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez Sgt. Robert C. Sisson Sgt. Ken K. Hermogino Spc. Timothy L. Johnson Spc. Rafael Martinez, Jr. Spc. Pedro Millet-Meletiche Pfc. Chad D. Clements Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley Pfc. Eric D. Soufrine

The Raider Brigade recently returned from its fourth deployment and was the Army’s first heavy brigade combat team to deploy to Afghanistan.

Nearly 4,300 soldiers fought alongside and trained the Afghan National Security Forces in Regional Commands South and West.

KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke to Adrian Kessler, who described her husband as a selfless man.

She said he loved serving his country and taking care of fellow soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Kessler was killed August 30, 2010. He died before the birth of his daughter, Amelia, who is now 6 months old.

“She is definitely a little miracle,” said Adrian. “It took us eight years to get her and just when we found out we were pregnant, that same month, we lost him.”

Adrian said she is not originally from Colorado Springs but plans to stay here to raise her daughter.