B*N*S*N3

Four Illinois National Guard Soldiers were honored Dec. 17, 2009 with a memorial at Joint Base Balad, Iraq outside the east post office. The four Soldiers were from the 1544th Transportation Company of Paris, Ill., and were honored for their support of postal operations in Iraq. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan Twist, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

New Iraq post office honors four Illinois Guardsmen

By Sgt. Ryan Twist
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BALAD, Iraq, (12/2/09) - Four fallen Illinois Soldiers from the 1544th Transportation Company based in Paris, Ill., were honored for their support of postal operations in Iraq during the dedication of a new post office Dec. 17 here at Joint Base Balad (JBB), Iraq.

Nine Soldiers and civilians names are written on a bronze plaque that is a replication of the one from Camp Liberty, Baghdad. The original plaque’s location was destroyed and a replica of the plaque was made for the dedication.

The Illinois National Guard Soldiers on the plaque are Spc. Jeremy Ridlen, 23, of Moroa, Ill., killed in action May 23, 2004; Spc. Charles Lamb, 23, of Casey, Ill., killed in action Sept. 5, 2004; Sgt. Shawna Morrison, 26, of Paris, Ill., killed in action Sept. 5, 2004 and Sgt. Jessica Cawvey, 21, of Normal, Ill., killed in action Oct. 6, 2004.

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