BOISE, Idaho — Hundreds gathered Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery to dedicate a bronze memorial honoring Idaho women veterans, with special tribute to the first Idaho woman killed in combat.

The memorial pays tribute to all Idaho women who have served the country and honors explicitly Cpl Carrie French, who was killed in a roadside bombing in Iraq in 2005 at age 19.

"Women have always played a critical role in the fight for freedom. They have always answered the call of duty but weren't always recognized for the incredible contribution they made of winning wars and upholding the principles of liberty and justice for all," Mark Tschampl, director of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, said at Friday's ceremony.

The statue, created by the artist Benjamin Victor, depicts a

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