As three sets of dog tags clinked in the wind, a Fort Carson chaplain sought to comfort the people mourning the loss of the fallen troops.

“Let us hold their service dear,” said Lt. Col. Keith Goode. “Let us make sure that their sacrifice is not in vain.”

Pictures of the men that Goode spoke of stared back at the hundreds of people who gathered Thursday at Fort Carson’s Founders Field, each paying tribute to the troops killed during an Aug. 8 suicide attack in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, the 4th Brigade Combat Team’s top enlisted soldier, died in the attack. Never before had such a high-ranking enlisted soldier been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Mark Edwards, spokesman for the U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, of the 4th Brigade, and Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, assigned to coordinate air attacks with ground troops, also died in the attack, the most deadly for Fort Carson troops since October 2010.

Scores of people dabbed their eyes under graying skies, while others shuffled tissues in their hands, weeping softly. In the moments that followed, Goode stressed that the day’s somber mood would pass.

“Let us give thanks for the security of this land,” Goode continued. “And the safety of our families, because in great love, they gave all their tomorrows.”

Griffin’s son, Dane, and nephew — who followed in his footsteps by joining the military — honored the five-time Bronze Star recipient on Thursday with a salute.

Griffin served tours in Kuwait and the Balkans before deploying three times to Iraq — often espousing that his soldiers never be caught with their “sleeves rolled,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jody Heikkinen. A Riverton, Wyo., native, the stocky soldier also had a 15-year-old daughter, Kylie, and recently celebrated 25 years of marriage to his wife, Pam.

“The Army in this country has lost a great soldier and a champion,” Heikkinen said.

Kennedy’s family arrived in June to Colorado Springs, but he spent almost no time at his new post. In July, Kennedy deployed to Afghanistan to help the 4th Brigade. He was known as a reliable soldier who had earned three Bronze Stars, and a tenacious hockey player, guarding the blue line as a defenseman while attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Tears in his eyes, an Army soldier vowed to look after Kennedy’s wife, Kami, and two children, Brody and Margaret.

“We know you are up there in the company of the great ones looking over us now,” said Maj. Timothy Knoth. “You will be on the ice with us each time we lace up.”

A Bronze Star recipient, Gray, of Loganville, Ga., was assigned to the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Carson — a job that required him to coordinate airstrikes for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. His penchant for perfection showed through most in the gym, where he could be found regularly working out.

The fatal attack came three days before Gray’s 11th wedding anniversary. He and his wife Heather had three children, Nyah, Garrett and Ava.

“Honestly, I don’t know if we can say rest in peace for David,” said Michael Fernihough, who was Gray’s pastor. “Because David’s just too busy worshiping his king.”

The eulogies complete, Sgt. Maj. Jose Castro strode down the aisle, carefully opening his booklet for roll call.

Three people called by the sergeant major bolted from their seats, each standing at attention.

Three did not.

All that acknowledged the mens’ absence were 21 shots, fired from seven guns.

As the smell of gunpowder wafted over the crowd, a single trumpet broke the lingering silence.

—

Contact Jakob Rodgers: 476-1654

Twitter @jakobrodgers

Facebook Jakob Rodgers

A memorial ceremony was held at Fort Carson Thursday, August 23, 2012, for Command Sergeant Major Kevin Griffin, Major Thomas Kennedy and Major W. David Gray. The men were killed in action August 8 while serving in Afghanistan. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette Photo by

Soldiers salute a memorial display honoring Command Sergeant Major Kevin Griffin, Major Thomas Kennedy and Major W. David Gray following a memorial ceremony at Fort Carson Thursday, August 23, 2012, for the fallen soldiers and Airman. The men were killed Photo by MARK REIS/THE GAZETTE

Lieutenant Commander Vicky Dowdy of the U.S. Public Health Service pauses at a memorial display honoring Command Sergeant Major Kevin Griffin, Major Thomas Kennedy and Major W. David Gray following a memorial ceremony at Fort Carson Thursday, August 23, 2 Photo by MARK REIS/THE GAZETTE