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Wreath-laying ceremony honors fallen MPs

The sound of bag pipes swept through the air Friday morning on Fort Bragg and a wreath was laid to honor those who gave their lives protecting our freedom. Several dozen people gathered to honor fallen heroes who were part of the 16th Military Police Brigade.

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The sound of bagpipes swept through the air Friday morning on Fort Bragg, and a wreath was laid to honor those who gave their lives protecting our freedom. Several dozen people gathered to honor fallen heroes who were part of the 16th Military Police Brigade.

One hundred seventeen names have been carved on a memorial stone since 1940. Among those added more recently is Sgt. 1st Class Wentz Jerome Henry Shanaberger III. He was killed by enemy forces in Iraq in 2004 as he investigated a suspicious vehicle.

His father was on hand for Friday's memorial.

​“He was a character in his own right," he recalled. "He was a hell of a soldier, and he loved his job and loved the Army. I think he probably died doing what he really loved to do.”

Pfc. Brandon Owens’ mother has fond memories of her son.

"He was a very enthusiastic person with much energy and a bright smile," Linda Owens said.

The honors extended to all in the brigade who lost their lives, not only those killed in action.

“We honor those who may have had a traffic accident," said Brigade Commander Alexander Conyers. "We had a soldier here, within two days of leaving the Army, that got hit by a car and was killed. His name etched on this monument behind me."

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