Kathy Hamilton's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Long, was supposed to return home in September 2006 after serving in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Just three weeks shy of his 19th birthday, Long was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) while conducting combat operations.

Hamilton said Long took after his father, also a Marine.

"He was like his papa in the Marines," she said. "After 9/11 he wanted to go (serve)."

Long, who previously lived in Sparks with his family, was a Spanish Springs High School graduate who was active in football, wrestling, swimming and track.

The young soldier's service, and the service of other northern Nevadans, was honored on Saturday by the Northern District of Nevada Elks as a gesture of thanks to fallen military members.

For the memorial service, Hamilton and her daughter, Samantha Long, wore specially designed t-shirts that said "In loving memory of Jeremy" with his picture.

Hamilton said she remembered Long's "funniness" the most, sharing how he loved to joke around with friends and family.

"(The ceremony) was really nice," she said after she accepted a Medal of Valor for Long's sacrifice.

Parents and wives shed tears and reflected in a solemn moment of grief as soldiers' names were called out and they collected medals placed on plaques for their loved ones' sacrifice and their own.

Other Elks in southern Nevada have put on such a program, but no one for the six northern lodges had come forward to organize it.

Roger Brotherton, with the Fallon Elks lodge, was willing to assume leadership. The Elks' leaders made an effort to contact the families of all 31 veterans who have died in the war, but not all families attended the ceremony.

"They just want to get it over with and get on with their lives," he said.

The families that did come showed pride as they heard the name of a spouse, father, son or grandson.

Jolene Morris of Sparks lost her husband, Army Sgt. Eric Morris, a member of the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, on April 28, 2005, when his Stryker military vehicle made contact with an IED that was rigged with seven bombs in the ground. He served in the National Guard before joining the Army.

The 31-year-old father left behind his wife and twin daughters, Chyna and Chyan.

"He was a good person," Jolene said.

The daughters, almost 10, especially miss spending time with their dad, who used to wrestle and play games with them, Chyan said.

Morris' grandmother, Dolores Bolinger, said the news of her grandson's death was hard on his young wife.

"It was really hard at first, but (Jolene) had better days," she said.

Each soldier's family received a handmade plaque with a Medal of Valor.

"The Medal of Valor is something started by the Elks in 2003," said Dennis Hansberry, exalted ruler of the Fallon Elks Lodge #2239. "It is not really intended to acknowledge the brave soldiers, but the sacrifice the family has made."

The memorial service involved several of the Nevada State Elks Association's (NSEA) leaders and exalted rulers of the individual Elks Lodges of the northern district. Each one thanked the families for their contributions in helping to defend the nation in the war.

Wayne Leroy, the NSEA Veterans Service chairman, said the medals were to recognize the bravery of the soldiers' families.

"We convey to you our sorrow for your loss," he said. "The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) will never forget them."

The BPOE is a fraternal organization aimed at serving the community. Hansberry said the local lodges focus on providing victims of child abuse with basic needs, such as clothing, blankets and toys, in dire situations. Last year, the northern district raised more than $60,000 from fundraising efforts for children.