Specialist Brandon Hempel, driver and gunner with the 34th MPCo., a native of Spring Grove, Minn., bows his head in a moment of silence for his fallen comrade, Spc. Daniel Drevnick, of Woodbury, Minn., during a dedication ceremony in the combined gym and USO at COB Basra, Dec. 31. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Soza)
Soldiers with the 34th MP Co. unveil the plaque honoring their fallen comrade, Spc. James Wertish, of Olivia, Minn., during a dedication ceremony at the Post Exchange at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Dec. 31. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Soza)
Soldiers look at the plaque for Maj. Steven Hutchison, of Scottsdale, Ariz., during a dedication ceremony in the band hall at COB Basra, Dec. 31. Hutchison, a 60 year-old veteran of the Vietnam War, was the oldest combat fatality in Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Soza)
Soldiers bow their heads in a moment of silence for their fallen comrade, medic Spc. Carlos Wilcox, of Cottage Grove, Minn., during a dedication ceremony at the Troop Medical Clinic at COB Basra, Dec. 31. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Soza)
A plaque honoring retired Gen. John Vessey, of Minneapolis, Minn., is revealed by Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, 34th Inf. Div. commander, during a dedication ceremony in the headquarters building at COB Basra, Dec. 31. The retired Vessey served with the 34th Inf. Div. in World War II and is a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Soza)
