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FORT LEWIS -- A soldier from the 4th Stryker Brigade just back from Iraq paid special tribute to the members of his unit who didn't come home Tuesday. Specialist Michael Gallagher turned a huge gift into a fitting memorial to fallen soldiers.

Tuesday, he took possession of the Jeep he got the keys to several months ago while he served in Iraq. Gallagher doesn't know it yet, but the Jeep has been specially painted as a tribute to the five fallen soldiers of his unit. The tribute was Gallagher's idea. He just doesn't know it's ready to go.

"On behalf of Chrysler, the Jeep brand and Operation Gratitude I wanted to personally present you with this all new 2008 Jeep Liberty," said Frank Fountain, VP Chrysler LLC.

Gallagher was given the Jeep simply because he was the 300,000th recipient of a care package from the volunteer group Operation Gratitude.

"I'm lost for words right now," he said. "This is just everything for them."

The names on the hood of the Jeep are Joseph Landry III, Donald Valentine III, Nicholas Olson, Luigi Merciante and Jason Lemke.

"I felt this would be a way to honor them for their service," he said.

The thing is, this Jeep honors five of the soldiers killed in Iraq, but to honor the entire 4th Stryker Brigade you'd need to deck out this Jeep, unfortunately, with 37 names.

"It breaks my heart that they don't all come home," said Karen Gallagher, Michael's mother.

For 14 months, the 4th Stryker Brigade served in Iraq. Their welcome home ceremony was Tuesday. It's a chance to honor their service and the sacrifice of those who died in combat.

"I like the Jeep, but I love the mural," Michael Gallagher said.

It says, "In memory of the fallen heroes of Alpha Company 2-23 Infantry. You will never be forgotten."

Gallagher says the first thing he's going to do on leave is drive his family to Texas to visit relatives.

For More Information

Operation Gratitude --www.opgratitude.com