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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Thursday Fort Carson honored the lives of three soldiers who were killed while serving in Afghanistan.

CSM Kevin Griffin, MAJ Thomas Kennedy, and Maj David Gray were all killed August 8 during a suicide attack.

Hundreds gathered at the mountain post to say goodbye to three men that were called leaders, fathers, and friends.

"The Army and its country has lost a great soldier and a champion. Sergeant Major Griffin's impact on this organization's 4,000 plus soldiers will always be cherished," CSM Jody Heikkinen said.

The three men made the ultimate sacrifice for a job they loved to do.

"For those who've served alongside TK you fondly remember the guy that could make anyone feel they were part of the team. He could bring out the best in everyone around him and he simply made you want to be all that you can be," MAJ Timothy Knoth said about Kennedy.

Griffin was described as an exceptional leader who could talk to anyone and someone who loved Facebook.

"Facebook was his method to see his family back home and he was so proud of his wife and his son Dane and his daughter Kylie," Heikkinen said.

Kennedy was known as "TK" to his friends and was said to have an infectious smile. He was also said to have brought the human heart into the military.

"We're going to go to a great length to keeping his memory, legacy, and contribution to our country alive," Knoth said.

Gray was called a true hero and true friend.

"I can tell you that David represented everything that a person in uniform should be," Michael Fernihough, Pastor at Alethia Church, said.

"He's a hard one to replace, in fact he's irreplaceable," Lt. Col. Thomas Moore said.

Fellow soldiers said the contributions these men made to their country will ensure that they will live on forever.

"It's through the efforts of Major Gray, CSM Griffin, and Major Kennedy that gives us the ability to strive on every day. They're inspiration in just about any way you can imagine," Moore said.

CSM Griffin was the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever from Fort Carson to be killed since they began overseas contingency operations.