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May 13, 2008

A Special Place To Visit

A Memorial to the Fallen

Have you ever visited a place that has just melted your heart, Where everything is so beautiful, but yet so sad? Have you ever experienced a feeling that you are privileged for being allowed to such a special place?

Many people have those feelings in Washington D.C. as they visit the different memorials...especially the Vietnam Wall or if they visit the Traveling Wall. Well, there are probably many more places that exist that bring on those feelings of pride, love, and sadness all at once and I would like to tell you about one of them.

In Georgia, at Fort Stewart, there is an area they have set aside to honor those that have fallen while at war since 2003 from that installation. The name of this place is Warriors Walk. As you enter this area it is breathtaking to just be near it. The site can be overwhelming when you understand what it all means.

A bit of history on how this memorial was started:
In March 2003, during the installation's CDMP Award Phase, Mr. Gary M. Holloway, owner of GMH Military Housing, L.L.C. learned of 3rd Infantry Division casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom through the local media. He was so moved by the tremendous courage and ultimate sacrifice of the fallen heroes and genuinely concerned for their families that he felt a need to determine the most appropriate way he could help. The idea to create a living memorial, a walk way between living trees representing the fallen soldiers emerged from a committee. Mr. Chet Schratzmeier, then Deputy Director of Public Works is credited with suggesting the name "Warriors Walk".

A private fund to pay for the design, as well as construction of the walk way, trees, lights and year round maintenance was established. This memorial walkway is dedicated to the soldiers and attached units of the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Eastern Redbud Tree was selected for use as to represent the life of each fallen hero as these trees bloom each April in Georgia, approximately the same time as the first casualties were reported from the Division's theater of operations. The initial dedication of the living memorial was held on the 29th of April, 2003. Thirty-four trees were dedicated in remembrance of the first 3rd Infantry Division soldiers killed in action. A formal entrance to Warriors Walk is in the design and planning stages. The expression "Where Warriors Walk" is anticipated to be inscribed on a bronze plaque and placed near the entrance. Those stationed at the installation have marched here prior to going to battle and this is where they are welcomed when they return home from battle. It is this field where warriors walk.

A place that families and friends and comrades come to remember. to reflect. to pay respects. It is a place that provides comfort. and for some, peace.

By January 2007, there were 317 trees planted at Warrior's Walk. By March 2008 there were a total of 393 trees. God Bless Them and God Bless the United States of America. ANOTHER TREE PLANTED There is a place, That I must go And speak to soldiers, That I don't know I go there often, Just to talk On this sacred ground, Called Warrior's Walk Another tree planted, Means another life gone And another family, Tries to move on Planted in honor, Of the brave To thank these soldiers, For the life they gave Fort Stewart, Georgia, Is where you can see The love and pride, Around these trees We take for granted, So very much Like reaching out, Being able to touch So I go there, My thanks to give I'm grateful to them, For the life I live And if ever I think, What a hard life I lead My heart will find perspective, Among those trees by Reese Bishop

Photo by Skip Spoerke January 30,2006