Sgt. James P. Sproul, 25th Infantry Division Band, plays Taps in memory of the 10 Schofield Barracks soldiers killed in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Iraq on Aug. 22. The memorial service at the main post chapel was attended by more than 600 soldiers, family members, friends and dignitaries. Courtesy U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii

Maj. William O'Brien, the rear detachment commander for the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti" delivered a personal tribute for each fallen soldier.

Lt. Col. Joel Lytle, a Schofield chaplain, provided the invocation and benediction, and read scripture from Psalm 42.

"Here is the challenge that I give each one of us. Be still. Stop. Reflect. What is the reality that is going on around me right now? Where is God in it?" Lytle said. "It's a love that's able to make something good out of heartbreaking tragedy."

Ten sets of empty desert combat boots, upturned rifles, helmets and photos were arrayed at the chapel.

Gov. Linda Lingle offered a tribute on behalf of the state. She noted that while the Schofield soldiers represented a wide cross-section of the United States, they were accepted as 'ohana in Hawai'i.

Comrades, veterans and members of the extended family offered tributes of their own in the form of lei, unit coins, prayers and soft-spoken remembrances.

The Black Hawk helicopter packed with troops crashed Aug. 22 about 21 miles west of Forward Operating Base Warrior at Kirkuk Airbase. Another Black Hawk was accompanying it.

The 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry soldiers were conducting night operations in the Tamim Province when their chopper experienced a mechanical malfunction shortly after extracting the soldiers from a mission.

The helicopter's four-member crew were from Fort Lewis, Wash., but reported to Schofield's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade in northern Iraq. All aboard were killed.