Week deadly for Hoosiers in Iraq

Intense fighting in Iraq has produced the deadliest week yet for Indiana.

Since Nov. 9, five Marines and soldiers with Indiana ties have died in Iraq. The latest two came Monday: 20-year-old Lance Cpl. James Swain, of Kokomo, and 21-year-old Cpl. Lance Thompson, of Marion. Both died during fighting in Al-Anbar, the large province that includes Fallujah.

That brought to 39 the number with links to Indiana who have died since the buildup to war in early 2003.

Daniel Swain says he had suspected his son was near Fallujah. He was preparing to e-mail James an aerial map of the city when two Marines in dress-blue uniforms knocked on the door. "I knew what they were going to tell me."

Also Wednesday, a memorial service was held in Brownsburg for Marine Sgt. Morgan W. Strader, 23. He died Friday in Fallujah.

"Men and women continue to serve, and what they need are our prayers and support," U.S. Naval Reserve chaplain Ron May told 300 mourners at Brownsburg Christian Church.

It fell to Capt. Carl Zindars to break the news to the families of Strader and Thompson.

"You go in there not knowing who these people are," Zindars said, "and you leave taking a piece of their heart."