'They're not just another number'

A major radio station in Montana has announced plans to dedicate 36 hours of airtime over Memorial Day weekend to honor America's fallen soldiers by reciting their names and other information.

"We are dedicating over 36 hours of commercial free air time to pay our respect and gratitude," KGEZ 600 AM spokesman John Stokes told WND. "Nothing will ever fill the hole in these families' hearts. The least we can do is remember their ultimate sacrifice."

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The station in Kalispell, Mont., said although Memorial Day is filled with "sales" and is known as the launch of the summer season, or just an escape from work for three days, the real meaning is far more important.

"Too many Americans ignore the greatest sacrifice that … our Armed Forces have made for us. Memorial Day is not just another holiday or excuse to have a barbeque. It should be a day dedicated to those who have given their life for our country," the station said.

While not overlooking heroes of World War I, World War II and other conflicts, the station this year is concentrating on the fallen in the great world war on terrorism.

KGEZ 600 AM radio station is airing a tribute to every fallen hero of the great war on terror over this Memorial Day weekend

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"Since fighting began on March 19, 2003, more than 3,697 coalition troops have lost their lives in the conflict in Iraq. Five-hundred-seventy-five deaths in Afghanistan. Of that number more than 3,808 are U.S. troops. Tens of thousands of others have been wounded on and off the battlefield," the station said.

"President Bush declared an end to major combat operations on May 1, 2003, though guerrilla resistance in Iraq and Afghanistan has continued to claim lives and headlines almost daily. We cannot ignore the soldiers who have given their lives to ensure our freedom," the station said.

On its website, the station has linked to CNN's compilation of casualities from the war on terror.

CNN lists the deaths of 3,435 Americans, two Australians, 149 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvians, 19 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadorans, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of May 24.

"At least 25,378 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon," CNN said.

"Too often on the evening news, we hear a story of another U.S. casualty, or another soldier [who] died in Baghdad. There are thousands of stories that we need to hear, to recognize the sacrifice these soldiers have made," the radio station said.

Among those to be honored is Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and part of 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle near Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 28, 2003.

The same day, at another location – in Baghdad – another roadside bomb cost the life of Pvt. Rev D. Cuervo, 24, of Laguna Vista, Texas.

These are among the thousands of heroes to be honored, radio station officials said.

"During Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 26, Sunday, May 27, Monday, May 28) we at KGEZ 600 AM will air over 36 hours of airtime to read the name, age, hometown, rank and branch of service, with details of their untimely deaths of every United States Armed Forces casualty lost since Sept. 11, 2001. They fought and died for us," the station said.

"The listeners of KGEZ have volunteered to participate in this humble tribute by reading the names of each of these fallen heroes. If you have not forgotten, and you still support these men and women, please take the time to remember them and if you would like to show your support, call KGEZ at 406-752-2600 to become a part of this remembrance. You can also sign our guest book to show your support at www.z600.com.

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