BUHL - Four plaques in Eastman Park bear the names of more than 50 men who have lost their lives in service to their nation - men who fought and died in both World Wars, the–Korean Conflict and in Vietnam.

Monday the city's war memorial gained a new bronzed plate for a new conflict, Iraq, and one new name: of Spc. James Lee "Doug" Bridges.

Bridges, 22, graduated from Buhl High School in 2003 and was killed by small-arms fire in Baghdad last November. He is the son of Matt Bridges and Lauri Watkins, and step-son to Joan Hurlock-Bridges, all of Buhl.

For Matt Bridges, the year that has passed sine the death of his son has done little to ease the pain. Tears still pool quickly in his eyes as he recalls Doug's lasting wish- for people to love one another.

"That's what Doug would have wanted, for people to just be excellent to each other," Bridges said.

The small ceremony, hosted by Buhl's Veterans of Foreign Wars post, included singing by the Popplewell Elementary School Honor Choir and a speech by Chief Warrant Officer Gary Davis of Filer. Davis said the heroes who really matter aren't celebrities or stars, but instead are found in everyone's neighborhood.

Hometown heroes, like those whose names are engraved on Buhl's memorial, Davis said, "Understand prophetically the meaning of service and sacrifice."

Davis called on people to think of the everyday sacrifices that are given by our county's servicemen and women.

"What people have to remember is that veterans have sacrificed a significant portion of their life to serve our country. In doing so, many have missed out on important events in their loved ones' lives. A lot of little things go sacrificed, the birth of a child, graduations, when one serves," Davis said.

Contact Blair Koch at 316-2607 or blairkoch@gmail.com.