Funeral For Keizer Soldier Killed in Iraq Tentatively Set

Pfc. Ryan J. Hill becomes the 49th soldier with Oregon ties to have died in the Iraq war.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - A memorial service for twenty-year-old Army Pfc. Ryan J. Hill, of Keizer was killed in Baghdad Saturday has been tentatively set for Feb. 2nd. Hill died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee. Hill was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. Also on Saturday, Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty, of Portland, was killed in action while conducting combat operations against Anti-Iraqi forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. He was a passenger in a M1124 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle which was struck by an IED or roadside bomb. Ryan was a graduate of the Oregon Youth Challenge Program in Bend in 2003. While there he completed his GED. He entered the U.S. Army in July 2005 and was sent to Iraq in July of 2006. Ryan was extremely interested in Basketball and Football. He was strong in his faith and his commitment to his state and nation. He was born in 1986 and spent much of his life in the Keizer area. Ryan was one who always looked at the many possibilities that life could offer. His commitment to his duty as a soldier was never in doubt to him and he felt it necessary to complete this mission to secure the lives of people both at home and in Iraq. This soldier is scheduled to return to the State of Oregon on Wednesday, Jan. 31st. Tentative funeral arrangements have been set for Friday, Feb. 2nd, at 10:00 AM at the Peoples Church in Salem. Preceding the service will be a procession taking Ryan to the Oregon State Capitol Building at approximately 8:50 to 9:00 AM. The procession will be led by the Patriot Guard Riders and members of many motorcycle groups who honor all our veterans. On site will be a presentation of Amazing Grace played on the Bagpipes by Jon Moritz of the Patriot Guard Riders. This will be followed by a moment of silence. All attending the short service will be presented with an American Flag as a show of respect to this soldier and all who serve. In lieu of flowers Shawna Hill has requested donations in Ryan's Name be sent to ILD Freedom Foundation Scholarship Fund at PO Box 30056, Spokane, Washington 99223. Mrs. Hill has requested that all cards and letters be forwarded to her in care of the Oregon Military Department at PO Box 14350, Salem, Ore. 97309-5047. The procession will depart the State Capitol following the following route: Court Street to Liberty, they will head north to Keizer where they will enter McNary High School off of Chemewa Road. The procession will depart the High School out the back entrance onto Chehalis heading north and turn east onto Lockhaven Drive. They will travel east until they reach Portland Road and turn right. From there they will turn left onto Lancaster Drive to the entrance to the Peoples Church.