Eighteen "brave heroes" from the Hawai'i Army National Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade who died during an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment in 2005 were honored yesterday during a ceremony at brigade headquarters in Kalaeloa.

For the first time since the Vietnam War, the 29th Brigade erected a plaque to honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Kuwait. The plaque now stands alongside another honoring 29 soldiers who died during the brigade's 1968 Vietnam War call-up.

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee recalled Oct. 2, 2004, when about 2,500 soldiers of the 29th Brigade Combat Team stood in formation at Aloha Stadium before being deployed.

"Like many citizens of Hawai'i, I will remember that day forever. Hawai'i saw the patriotism, bravery and sacrifice of our sons and daughters," he said.

About 200 soldiers, families and friends attended the unveiling. The roll of honor included soldiers from the Mainland, including the California-based 1st Battalion 184th Infantry, the U.S. Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry and one soldier from the brigade's 229th Military Intelligence Company.

Among those honored was Sgt. Deyson Cariaga, 20, of Kalihi, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on July 8, 2005, outside Logistics Support Area Anaconda, north of Baghdad.

Gov. Linda Lingle spoke about supporting the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in Iraq.

"Sergeant Deyson K. Cariaga, from O'ahu, paid with his young and wonderful life. I had a chance to visit with Deyson's mother, stepfather, grandparents, brother, other members of the family in their home in 2005 just a few days after he lost his life," she said.

"Today's memorial is just a small way to express our respects and to honor those who gave their lives. It seems so small. Small, but important. But we do it because we should never forget the sacrifice they made for us," she said.

Lt. Col. Suzanne Vares-Lum, who oversaw Cariaga's company in Iraq, recalled the moment she found out that the soldier had died.

"I was on R and R when I got the call that he died in Iraq. I was shocked," she said.

"In a way, you're prepared for this, prepared for the inevitable. It makes people band together. Everything counts, every day counts," she said.

Vares-Lum said she is glad the brigade had a "special time to honor the fallen."

Lingle urged the crowd to never forget the sacrifices the honored soldiers made.

"Our troops have been stationed in some of the most dangerous, inhospitable places on Earth, including Iraq. They've been exposed to sectarian violence, roadside bombs, snipers and other deadly threats," she said.

"The 18 we remember today paid the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us."

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.