Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team held a memorial service yesterday for Spc. Casey Hills at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.

Hills, 23, a mobilized Individual Ready Reserve soldier from Salem, Ill., died June 24 of injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle crash while conducting security for a combat logistics patrol in Iraq.
Hills was assigned to the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.
More than 650 soldiers and civilians filled the camp chapel for the service.
Hills’ company and battalion commanders and the battalion chaplain all spoke of how Hills became part of the C Company ohana. The soldiers of C Company opened their arms to the quiet kid from the Midwest. Hills’ battalion commander spoke of Hills’ surprise at being assigned to a unit from American Samoa.
“But Casey is the one who surprised his fellow soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Michael Peeters, Commander 100-442nd Infantry. “With a quiet demeanor, a hard work ethic, and a commitment to the platoon that made him a platoon favorite.”
At the end of the ceremony, First Sgt. Uluao Letuli stood and called out the ceremonial final roll call. Three soldiers answered; the final one did not.