FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Dozens of friends, family and fellow soldiers gathered at the Mountain Post Wednesday morning to remember three men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Twenty four-year-old Staff Sergeant Carlos A. Benitez, 36-year-old Sergeant Rafael Martinez, Jr. and 20-year-old Private First Class Tramaine J. Billingsley were killed Oct.14 in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.
All three were part of the First Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. They were fathers, husbands, sons and soldiers.
"He protected his family, protected his children, and he was just one of those guys that went beyond and protected our country," Susana Benitez, SSG Benitez's wife, said.
Benitez, Martinez and Billingsley made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
"I think it's important for the family to see that their fallen heroes aren't forgotten by the military, and we'll always remember them," Capt. Seannery Tenniman said.
Martinez is remembered as a hard worker who never once complained.
"As a young man, he ran into some trouble, and he actually turned his life around. He joined the Army, and he just wanted to be a good person, he wanted to serve his country," Tenniman said.
Billingsley is remembered as a fun-loving guy, who could always make his fellow soldiers smile.
"He was always singing, no matter what. I mean he would sing Army songs, Army cadences, old school, R&B music, it just depended what he heard that morning he would sing," Spc. Joseph Cardenes said.
Just a week before his death, Billingsley entertained his fellow soldiers with his Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder impersonations.
"We were asking him to do it, so he did it during dinner time one time. It was awesome," Cardenes said.
Benitez is leaving behind a wife and two children.
"The last chance I spoke to him was the day before, and I guess I can say I consider myself lucky that that was the last 'I love you' that I heard from him," Susana said.
Benitez is remembered as a loving father and a great leader.
"My husband, he was a wonderful man. He was a loving, caring gentleman. He was one of those guys that really loved to go above and beyond to help anyone, and whatever situation they were in he found a way to help them out," Susana said.
And while Benitez, Martinez and Billingsley are gone, they will not be forgotten.
"We just push on, push forward, everyday and just like he would want us to do, keep a smile on our faces and remember him like we always will," Cardenes said.
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Original story:
Three Fort Carson soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan were remembered with a memorial service at the post Wednesday.
The ceremony was for Staff Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez of Carrollton, Texas, Sgt. Rafael Martinez Jr. of Spring Valley, Calif., and Pfc. Tramaine J Billingsley of Portsmouth, Va.
The Defense Department said they were killed in combat on Oct. 14.
All were members of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
"He protected his family, his children, and he was just one of those guys that went beyond and protected our country also, and this memorial is to remember them, remember these three gentlemen for their bravery," Susana Benitez, Carlos Benitez's wife, said.
Benitez was promoted to staff sergeant and Martinez to sergeant posthumously.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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