Some Ark-La-Tex soldiers are hoping to create a permanent memorial to honor servicemen and women killed in the war in Iraq. Sixteen soldiers from the former 1/156th Armored Battalion died during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Jeff Byrd fought alongside them. "We will never forget them no matter what. But in the long run it's important that future generations know about them and about their sacrifice and what kind of men they were," said Sgt. Byrd. The battalion has been back from the war for two years now... keeping with them the memories of the fellow soldiers left behind. Now, The Louisiana Army National Guard plans to create a permanent memorial to honor those 16 servicemen. "Since we were still deployed over there we thought about doing it. Coming up with different ideas of stuff and since we've been working on it as well." But building the memorial will take money... that's where you come in. This Memorial Day weekend, the Louisiana Boardwalk is taking donations to help make the memorial a reality. "We are taking collections at the info center," said Marketing Executive Tricia Laurent. "Anyone who gives any kind of donation we're going to give a coupon book." The fallen soldier memorial will eventually be built at Shreveport's Veteran's Memorial Park. The plans are still being drawn up so no budget has been set yet. But Staff Sergeant Byrd says all donations are welcome... "You know every little bit helps," said Sgt. Jeff Byrd. 'It'll mean a lot to them. to know that there's something lasting for them. Donations will be accepted at the Boardwalk all weekend long.
