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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Casey Hills remembered as a 'platoon favorite'


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Lt. Col. Michael Peeters, left, commander of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, and Command Sgt. Maj. Glenn Gomes render their final salute to Spc. Casey L. Hills at a memorial service at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.

U.S. Army photos

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Spc. Casey Hills

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Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team held a memorial service Sunday for Spc. Casey Hills at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.

Hills, 23, a mobilized Individual Ready Reserve soldier from Salem, Ill., died Wednesday of injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle crash while conducting security for a combat logistics patrol in Iraq.

Hills was assigned to the Hawai'i-based 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, of the Army Reserves.

More than 650 soldiers and civilians filled the camp chapel for the memorial service.

Hills' company and battalion commanders and the battalion chaplain all spoke of how Hills became part of the Company C 'ohana. The soldiers of Company C opened their arms to the quiet kid from the Midwest. Hills' battalion commander spoke of Hills' surprise at being assigned to a unit from American Samoa.

"But Casey is the one who surprised his fellow soldiers, with a quiet demeanor, a hard-work ethic, and a commitment to the platoon that made him a platoon favorite," said Lt. Col. Michael Peeters, Hills' battalion commander.

At the end of the ceremony, 1st Sgt. Uluao Letuli stood and called out the ceremonial final roll call. Three soldiers answered; the final one did not.