Belated Soldier Memorial

By: Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: January 17, 2008

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) - Fort Stewart unveiled a granite marker

today to honor a soldier who died of an illness two years ago in

Iraq.

To the soldier's mother, Suzette DeTulio of Brick, N.J., it is

an overdue honor.

Pfc. Ryan D. Christensen died in November 2005 and was initially

denied a memorial tree at Warriors Walk, where the Army's 3rd

Infantry Division has honored its dead from Iraq since 2003.

The 24-year-old Christensen died from an infection at a U.S.

hospital rather than in combat overseas.

DeTulio lobbied the Army for nearly a year. After help from Rep.

Chris Smith, Fort Stewart commanders changed their minds and agreed

last month to plant a memorial tree for Christensen, who got sick

in Iraq a month before he died.

Today, his mother hung a cross on a silver chain from the lowest

branch of the eastern redbud planted for her son. She said the

family was angry that he did not receive the recognition before,

but they are grateful now.

Since the first trees were planted at Warriors Walk in April

2003, the memorial grove has grown to include 381 trees -- one for

each soldier from the 3rd Infantry and affiliated units killed in

Iraq.

Belated Soldier Memorial

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