`Warrior's Walk' honors 3ID soldiers killed in Iraq
by Spc. Jonathan M. Stack
FORT STEWART, Ga. (Army News Service, May 12, 2002) -- More than 3,000 family members, soldiers and friends of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech.) attended a memorial ceremony April 30 to honor the division's 34 soldiers killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Forever more, these soldiers will be remembered and most of all they will always be here, marching in every formation on the field of honor. They will be in attendance at our most important events. They will not be forgotten," said Col. Gerald J. Poltorak, the garrison commander at Fort Stewart.
"Today, we solemnly read their names; an honor roll of courageous warriors who gave their all to their country, unit, and fellow soldiers. We will honor them with a living tribute of their great sacrifice," Poltorak said.
Thirty-four eastern red bud trees, native to Georgia, were planted with a granite marker in front of each tree with the soldier's rank, name and Iraqi Freedom engraved on it. The trees will bloom annually in the late spring, which is about the same time Iraqi Freedom was ongoing.
The trees were planted in two rows on the edge of Cottrell Field at Fort Steward and the area will know be known as Warriors Walk.
"Through the years the 'Rock of the Marne' division has paid a heavy price, more than 35,000 casualties in five wars and many battles since it's formation at Camp Green, N.C., in 1917," he said.
The soldiers of the Marne Division were prepared when called to deploy to Kuwait, Poltorak said.
In January, the division moved in weeks to the Middle East and awaited orders, he said. More than a month ago the division struck deep into the heart of Iraq, straight to the capital, Baghdad, fighting its way in the tough condition, through the Iraqi Army, Republican Guard, Fedayeen fighters and anyone else who stood in its way in little more than 23 days.
"While, the Marne Division encountered tens of thousands of enemy fighters, it left thousands of them dead, and thousand more were wounded and captured. Thirty-four of our soldiers died and 87 were wounded," Poltorak continued.
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Carl T. Smith, installation command sergeant major, read the names of the 34 soldiers. After each name, a soldier guarding the marker removed a vail of courage, made of desert camouflage material with the soldier's rank and 3rd Inf. Div. (Mech.) patch sewn on it.
"Those killed and injured were from units throughout the division. Headquarters units and line units, infantry, combat engineer, aviation, field artillery, and support units," Poltorak said.
"They were young troopers and old soldiers, private to captain to chief warrant officer 4," he said.
"Single soldiers and married soldiers, some with large families and some with small, died and were wounded for their country and its values. They fought for their units and most of all for the soldiers standing next to them," Poltorak said.
The ceremony ended with retreat after which the family members were given a chance to go and see Warriors Walk.
The memorial is a chilling reminder that freedom is not free, said Sonny Perdue, governor of Georgia.
Sgt. Eugene Williams' family was one of the many that attended the ceremony. The noncommissioned officer would have been 25 years old the day of the ceremony.
"They did a beautiful job with today's ceremony," said Ulyses Williams, father of Sgt. Williams.
" I know my son did not die for nothing - he died a hero," he said.
Warriors Walk will be completed soon by friends of the 3rd Inf. Div. (Mech.) and Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, said Poltorak.
"We thank our friends for this tribute and this wonderful reminder of their great sacrifice, and that each and everyday our fallen brothers are with us," he said. "To all of their families, wives, children, others, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and relations, on behalf of a grateful Army and nation our heartfelt gratitude goes out to each for your sacrifice, for the Marne Division, their fellow soldiers and this great country, the United States of America."
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