More than 600 Schofield Barracks soldiers, veterans, family members and government representatives paid their respects yesterday at an emotional memorial service at the main post chapel honoring 10 soldiers who died in a helicopter crash last week in northern Iraq.

Maj. William O'Brien, the rear detachment commander for the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti," delivered a personal tribute for each fallen soldier.

Lt. Col. Joel Lytle, a Schofield chaplain, provided the invocation and benediction and read scripture from Psalm 42.

"Here is the challenge that I give each one of us. Be still. Stop. Reflect. What is the reality that is going on around me right now? Where is God in it?" Lytle said. "It's a love that's able to make something good out of heartbreaking tragedy."

Ten sets of empty desert combat boots, upturned rifles, helmets and photos were arrayed at the chapel.

Gov. Linda Lingle offered a tribute on behalf of the state. She noted that while the Schofield soldiers represented a wide cross-section of the United States, they were accepted as 'ohana in Hawai'i.

"Hawai'i embraces them and their families as our own, just as we do with members of the military gathered here today," Lingle said.

Comrades, veterans and members of the extended family offered tributes of their own in the form of lei, unit coins, prayers and soft-spoken remembrances.

The Black Hawk helicopter packed with troops crashed Aug. 22 about 21 miles west of Forward Operating Base Warrior at Kirkuk Airbase. Another Black Hawk was accompanying it.

The 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry soldiers were conducting night operations in Tamim province when their chopper experienced a mechanical malfunction.

The helicopter's four-member crew, from Fort Lewis, Wash., was also killed. They reported to Schofield's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade in northern Iraq.