Warmhearted, a go-to soldier, disciplined and always wanting to put a smile one someone’s face were some of the ways Spcs. Christopher Bartkiewicz and Jamel Bryant were described as soldiers gathered in Baumholder on Wednesday to remember them.

"They did what thousands their ages did not do," Col. James Brown, the chaplain, said. "They served on the unmarked frontline."

Both were promoted from the rank of private first class posthumously.

The Chapel One pews were draped with a yellow ribbon going down both sides of the center aisle. Some soldiers sobbed and others hung their heads, reached for tissues, or just stared blankly ahead during the service.

A little girl in the audience wept throughout the service, and sunlight cascaded through the chapel’s stained- glass windows.

Pictures of the two flanked by rose bouquets and wreaths stood behind the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman’s Badge each of them received. Their dog tags hanged from rifles.

Bryant, 22, of Belleville, Ill., was killed on Sept. 27, when the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle he was in overturned multiple times as it swerved to avoid another vehicle in Wahida, Iraq. Bryant succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Baghdad.

Bryant is survived by his mother, Cecelia Eiland; father, Antonio Bryant Sr.; and seven siblings.

"He was a hard worker," Spc. Christopher Robertson said about his friend, Bryant, after the service. "It hit pretty hard."

Robertson was in the MRAP with Bryant and he was knocked unconscious. The two were medically evacuated together. They were part of a detail that was escorting people to a women’s rights conference.

"It’s definitely going to affect us. He was a big part of our family," Robertson said.

Robertson also described his fallen comrade as the type who would get upset if he was pulled off a mission.

Bartkiewicz, 25, of Dumerferline, Ill., died Sept. 30, from small-arms fire wounds he received on a combat patrol near Sadr City. He leaves behind a wife of almost seven years, Emily, and three daughters, Morgan, McKayla and Casey.

"He had a reputation as a go-to soldier," Capt. Jonathan Martin said, while reading one of the tributes to Bartkiewicz. "He was disciplined. He gave all for his comrades and the mission."

Martin noted that Bartkiewicz, or Bart as he was called, would have been on leave this week to see his family.

Staff Sgt. Fairrena Locklear sobbed as she read a memorial tribute to Bryant, who served with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. The tribute described him as "the type of guy who liked to help everyone."

A tribute to Bartkiewicz read by Sgt. 1st Class Leon Richardson described the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment soldier as "a great guy and father."

"I know Chris is up there in heaven raising holy hell, looking down, smiling," Richardson read in one tribute. "He was always looking forward to the future. He would not want us to be sad today."