by Cheryl Boujnida
Bamberg Public Affairs Office

BAMBERG, Germany -- Powell, Howard and Strehlow Halls are a link to the past that some will never forget, and others will continue to honor.

The three buildings stand next to each other on Warner Barracks in Bamberg, like the soldiers who they are named after stood by each other's sides when they died.

Sgt. Dodge Powell, PFC Aaron Howard and Sgt. William Strehlow, combat engineers with Charlie Company, 82nd Engineer Battalion, perished during the Persian Gulf War Feb. 26, 1991.

Ten years later, they were remembered and honored by 82nd Engineer Battalion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post number 10592 at a ceremony in Desert Storm Memorial Park during February.

Friends were present, and many of the soldiers paying respects never knew their comrades, but they knew their sacrifices had been monumental. The soldiers had given everything they had –- their lives.

Investigative reports documented that the soldiers died in a friendly fire incident guarding prisoners.

“There’s nothing friendly about friendly fire,” said Maj. Timothy Brown, former Charlie Company commander of 82nd Engineer Battalion, and now executive officer, 54th Engineer Battalion. “They chose to be where they were and who shot them really doesn’t matter. They were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and good soldiers,” he said.

Two months before his death, Sgt. Dodge Powell composed a poem. The poignancy of 'Desert Thoughts' still echoes.

'Much I wonder is unanswered, so I try to find out "why." But if I must, yes, I will fight. And if I must I'll die,' he wrote Dec. 14, 1990.

Brown said 82nd Engineer Battalion’s history dates back to the 39th Engineer Regiment in World War II, and honoring fallen comrades is an integral part of that legacy.

"Every soldier should know about their unit history. When an 18-year-old soldier finds out about another 18-year-old soldier who died. The reality hits him and he knows that it could have been him," said Sgt. Maj. Gary Coker, 82nd Engineer Battalion.

Firmly composed and standing erect, soldiers saluted their comrades. "We live through those who defended our freedoms, and we will carry on," said an unidentified soldier who attended the ceremony.

Placing an American flag on graves of veterans twice a year, SFC (Ret.) Timothy Gallton, 82nd Engineer Battalion, remembers soldiers who aren't forgotten. His friends who died will always remain in his heart, and driving past Powell, Howard, and Strehlow Halls, he knows their memories live on.