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Soldiers remember fallen comrades killed 6 years ago

By Michelle Paynter

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - As Memorial Day weekend approaches, it is important to remember what that holiday is all about, to pay tribute to our fallen military men and women.

Soldiers at Hunter Army Airfield are remembering six very special comrades who were killed six years ago and who will never be forgotten.

On April 2, 2003, six 3rd Infantry Division soldiers were killed when their Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Iraq during a combat operation.

Six years ago, hundreds gathered at Hunter Army Airfield to honor those men.

But six years ago, it was too painful for Lila Lipscomb to attend that memorial service. Her son, Sgt. Michael Pederson, was one of the soldiers killed in that operation.

"Because after Michael's death it was just a lot to be able to do anything," Pederson said. "And now six years have past and it's like I have to be here now, I just have to."

Thursday, Hunter Army Airfield rededicated a monument devoted to Pederson and his comrades. It was recently moved from the brigade headquarters to the battalion headquarters. It's called the "Storm" Memorial.

Lipscomb traveled all the way from Michigan to be here to honor her son. "To keep him alive, to keep him alive and be a part of the guys he loved so much, because he loved this place," she said.

Lt. Col. Tom Smedley, the commander of that battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation regiment, said today was a perfect time to remember those soldiers and all who have died for our freedom.

"We thought it was important for soldiers to remember it's not just about the pool opening or going to the beach," he said. "Memorial Day is for us and for those who have gone before us, those who have given their lives in sacrifice of a nation."

Whether it was six years ago or 60.