Fallen Soldiers’ living memorial re-forged in the fires of the Eastern Redbud [Image 11 of 16]

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

12.12.2014

Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

From left to right, Col. John Kline, Chief Warrant Officer 5 George Kelly, and Command Sgt. Maj. George Dove, commander, command chief warrant officer, and senior enlisted leader for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade go to pick up pieces of Eastern Redbud trees in order to add them to the pile to be burned, representing in a symbolic way the Soldiers which have been killed in action from the 3rd CAB during the last decade or so of fighting. This all took place during a special tree-burning ceremony held here on Cottrell Field, Dec. 12. Surrounding Cottrell field is Warriors Walk, a living memorial that has had an Eastern Redbud tree planted in memory of each fallen Soldier, since the conflicts began. Unfortunately due to environmental considerations, the Eastern Redbuds were struggling, and it was decided that replacing them with white crape myrtles would be the best solution. To do this in the most respectful way possible, the senior leadership of the 3rd ID decided to burn them in a solemn ceremony modeled after the ceremony normally held to dispose of an American flag after it becomes unsuitable to display. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, Public Affairs NCOIC)

• Date Taken: 12.12.2014
• Date Posted: 12.16.2014 02:37
• Photo ID: 1701746
• VIRIN: 141212-A-CW513-356
• Resolution: 3881x2115
• Size: 3.61 MB
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US