The military says 31-year-old staff sergeant Russell Shoemaker of Sweet Springs, Missouri, and 36-year-old Sergeant First Class Robert Dunham of Baltimore, were killed in Baghdad on Thursday. The military says Shoemaker and Dunham were killed when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device. To date, 102 Fort Riley soldiers have died in the war in Iraq. 27 News Reporter Kia Carter went to Fort Riley’s Memorial Day service.

Like the timeless traditions of the military, Fort Riley’s memorial service was full of tradition to honor fallen soldiers and veterans. A service soldiers say they want for themselves when they pass.

"Very much. It means a lot and almost brings a tear to my eye, It's hard to hold it in during the ceremony. It’s very heartfelt," says Pvt. Edward Stoner, 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation.

Fort Riley’s Commanding General delivered the Memorial Day address. He spoke about the sacrifices soldiers have made throughout history and the ones they're making today.

A 21 gun salute rang out in remembrance that freedom isn't free. Gravestones are the price paid for defending our constitution. With Fort Riley now at more than 100 soldiers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, some say honoring those who sacrificed their lives re-energizes their efforts.

"What we would tell each other in Iraq is that the best way to honor someone we lost was to see the mission through to it's successful completion," says Maj. Gen. Carter Ham, Fort Riley's Commanding General.

"Go out there get it done and try to come home as safe as possible. If we go, then it's our time," says Pvt. Stoner.

But Fort Riley’s Commanding Feneral says it's also important not to forget the families that continue on after their loved one passes.

"The numbers are not what are important. What's important is the individuality of each of those and to remember that behind each name is a family, a community, a unit, that won't have that soldier anymore," says Maj. Gen. Ham.

So as everyone sits down to food off the grill, the Commanding Feneral says to make sure you also remember what the holiday is for and call to thank a Veteran you know or a family that lost a loved one for their sacrifice.