Fort Riley ? Residents near this historic Army post were moved Thursday by the death of five Fort Riley soldiers in Iraq, but they also understood the loss was part of war.

“Every time we lose one it’s a tragedy for the fort and the community,” said Geary County Sheriff Jim Jensen, a Vietnam veteran and member of the American Legion. “They are part of our community.”

Soldiers, who declined to discuss the latest developments, continued to frequent Junction City’s downtown while shopping, paying bills and grabbing a bite to eat

The soldiers were killed Wednesday when a bomb detonated under their M-113 in Malahma, an area in the Sunni Triangle — roughly between Baghdad, Ramadi and Tikrit. It was the deadliest day of the Iraq war for Fort Riley, which now has lost 35 soldiers since the war began, nearly double the number of deaths during the Persian Gulf War.

Families of the five soldiers were notified Thursday by the Army, which was expected to release names and units before midday today.

Family members identified 1st Lt. Doyle Hufstedler III, 25, of Abilene, Texas, and Pvt. Brandon Lee Davis, 20, of Cresaptown, Md., as among the five soldiers killed. Fort Riley officials would not confirm that information.

About 4,600 Fort Riley soldiers are in Iraq. The five soldiers who died Wednesday were part of the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade, which deployed in September.

Jensen, who served in the 1st Division, including 18 months in combat, said the fight in Iraq was difficult because after disposing of the main opposition, “bad people” continue to use deadly tactics.

Scott Price, a retired Army major at Fort Riley, said support for the soldiers still in Iraq remained steadfast at home in light of the less-than grateful population.

“They are biting the hand that feeds them, but biting it off at the wrist,” Price said.

Pearl Speer, the post’s community services director, said the deaths were difficult to cope with because of the number of soldiers associated with one unit, but the mood was somewhat different from a year ago.

“There isn’t as much anxiety right now, even though each death causes anxiety,” Speer said.

At this time last year troops were still moving forward and families did not know where their loved ones were. Now, with better communication being established, families generally know where their soldiers are in relation to attacks.

Bank president Robert Munson, who learned of the five Fort Riley deaths Thursday, paused and reflected on what he called “the supreme sacrifice” the soldiers are paying.

“It’s awful tough,” he said. “The whole community is affected.”

Down the street, lined with yellow ribbons and American flags, Connie Hall recalled her own anxieties when her son — a Marine — was in Iraq for six months.

“We hate getting the news,” said Hall, who receives e-mails from Fort Riley identifying soldiers who have died. “I hate to look at the pictures to see if I knew one of them.”