CONTACT: For more information contact Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, CJTF Phoenix VII Public Affairs Officer at paul.a.fanning@afghan.swa.army.mil, or cell :0798010642

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008

CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (June 30, 2008) -- A memorial ceremony was held on Monday 30 June for four U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix who were killed last week as a result of combat operations in Afghanistan. “What links these four men together -- marine and soldiers -- is their devotion to duty and the ideal of a greater good,” said Col. Brian K. Balfe, commander, CJTF-P, to more than 200 U.S. and coalition service members and distinguished guests in attendance. “They each pursued the accomplishment of mission despite the danger that lay in front of them. Each spoke to us with their actions which for these four honorable men clearly speak louder than any words. They truly cleared the way for all of us here today,” said Balfe. Representatives of the Afghan National Army and the Camp Phoenix-based French and Romanian detachments were present. The following U.S personnel were honored. Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland, 25, of Labelle, Fla. died June 25, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif They following Soldiers died from wounds suffered June 26 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when their convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., who was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich. Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y. Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.