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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Hundreds of friends, family and military members gathered at the Mountain Post Thursday to remember nine fallen comrades.

Staff Sgt. John Hammiol came to honor Master Sgt. Charles Price III and his family.

"He'd do anything for the soldiers, on duty and off duty," Hammiol said. "He's actually one of the best platoon sergeants I ever had in the Army, and he was just a great guy. Ask anybody in his platoon, they'll all tell you the same thing, and this was a huge hit for us."

A total of 366 names are on the memorial at Kit Carson Park. The nine soldiers inscribed Thursday are Staff Sgt. Lex Lee Lewis, Master Sgt. Charles Price III, Capt. Drew Russell, Capt. Joshua Lawrence, Spc. Christopher Mendonca, Staff Sgt. Allen McKenna, Jr., Staff Sgt. Daniel Brown, Pfc. Eric Sourfirne and Sgt. Ken Hermogino.

Capt. Andrew Cairns came to support Capt. Drew Russell and his family.

"He had a lust for life, just truly enjoyed being in the Army," Cairns said. "You'll hear many families from his family of him playing with G.I. Joes and different types of Army men throughout much of his childhood and how he always wanted to join the Army and be an Army officer."

Maj. Gen. Joseph Anderson, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson commanding general, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. He stressed how important the fallen comrades' sacrifices are and how they won't be forgotten.

"No piece of paper or token can adequately explain our shared sorrow for the loss of the American heroes and fellow comrades," Anderson said. "Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

With the ceremony being so close to Memorial Day, the soldiers who spoke said they hope it's a reminder to take a moment on Monday to remember the lost.

"What I hope it means to every American is just appreciating the sacrifice of the of the servicemember, not only abroad in the combat zones, but those who unfortunately passed away in training events and accidents throughout," Cairns said. "It's just an opportunity for everyone to take a moment and think about all the great Americans that served our country and continue to serve our country."

Sgt. First Class Robert Weible, who came to the ceremony to honor Sgt. McKenna Jr., said the soldiers' deaths can be a learning opportunity.

"Our younger people need to realize these soldiers are not only going over there for their families, but they're going over there for each civilian too," Weible said. "We need to make sure they understand these soldiers didn't die in vain."