In policy switch, Fort Lewis OKs weekly memorial rites

Fort Lewis memorial services for fallen soldiers will be held as often as once a week under a policy announced Wednesday by the post's new commander, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby.

It reverses a decision made by his predecessor, Brig. Gen. William Troy, who as acting commander stoked a controversy by proposing to consolidate the memorials in a large monthly service.

With the number of casualties reaching 20 soldiers in May, critics said the monthly memorials would not pay proper respect to the sacrifices of those who die in Iraq.

In recent weeks, Jacoby has attended the memorial services, questioned people at Fort Lewis and in surrounding communities and asked the Army Inspector General to conduct a survey.

Jacoby decided to set aside Wednesdays for memorial services, a day that he said is easier for families coming from far away to book travel. Each unit then would be free to schedule either individual or group memorials on that day of the week.

The post is deeply engaged in Iraq, with 11,000 soldiers now serving there. Fort Lewis has lost 141 soldiers in Iraq and nine in Afghanistan.

These soldiers were remembered in services held in the combat zones by comrades, and mourned by families in graveside and church services in their home states.

But in an all-volunteer Army, where many soldiers leave behind wives and children at posts, Fort Lewis and other major installations also have emerged as focal points for grieving.

In May, with rising casualties, Jacoby's predecessor, Troy, decided that weekly services would place too great a burden on rear detachments responsible for the arrangements. His order would have shifted monthly arrangements to post chaplains.

Jacoby wants the rear detachments to continue to arrange the memorial services.

"I'm very impressed with Fort Lewis memorials," Jacoby said. "They are dignified, fitting and speak to the qualities of individual soldiers who have fallen."

Jacoby, who arrived at Fort Lewis after serving in Alaska, announced his memorial decision in an interview with local reporters. He also touched on several other developments:

• Fort Lewis will undergo a major construction boom in the next five years, spending more than $2.6 billion to renovate and expand barracks, build recreation facilities for families and troops, improve Madigan Army Medical Center and other projects.

• Fort Lewis has made changes in the treatment of ill and wounded soldiers, in response to complaints from ailing soldiers that triggered congressional inquiries.

Some Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers complained they were second-class citizens at Fort Lewis and had more trouble accessing the health-care system than active-duty soldiers. Fort Lewis recently established a "warrior transition battalion" with additional trained staff to help guide both active and reserve soldiers through the Army's medical bureaucracy and ensure they get care.

Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com