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    Wreaths for Warriors Walk honors OIF, OEF Marne fallen Soldiers for the 12th year

    Wreaths for Warriors Walk honors OIF, OEF Marne fallen Soldiers for the 12th year

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sierra A. Melendez | The 3rd Infantry Division Color guard stands at the position of attention during the...... read more read more

    FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

    12.15.2018

    Story by Sgt. 1st Class Sierra A. Melendez 

    3rd Infantry Division

    Four hundred and sixty-eight trees align the sidewalks that surround Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart, Georgia. Although the grove of White Crape Myrtles might seem insignificant to some, to 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers and Families past and present, their roots are symbolic of a profound reverence.

    This column of trees is aptly named Warriors Walk - each tree that stands was planted in remembrance and tribute of every Dogface Soldier that was killed in action during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom since 2003. There are stones that lay at the foot of each truck with the name etched of the fallen Soldier which that tree represents.

    With those 468 stones come thousands of Family Members and friends that have carried the pain of their absence day after day, month after month and year after year. The holiday season is a stark reminder of the life that was taken far too early from them.

    Every year since 2007, Wreaths for Warriors Walk, Inc. – in conjunction with the 3rd Infantry Division, Gold Star Families and volunteers – hold a ceremony and lay a wreath at the stone of every tree as a small, albeit poignant, homage to the heroes that paid the ultimate sacrifice and the Families that bear the burden of that loss.

    Barbara Bilbrey, whose son Spc. Charlie Bilbrey was killed in action in Iraq in 2007, echoed that sentiment.

    “This is a hard time of year sometimes for people who have lost someone," said Bilbrey. "Not just for military lost but families who have lost this is a hard time of year. It breaks your heart. And people wonder why I can’t seem to get in the spirit, but when you feel like you are not alone, it helps. It really, really does.”

    This year’s ceremony was held Dec. 15th. The day before, hundreds of Soldiers and volunteers spent hours in the pouring rain to trim the trees with ornaments.

    Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas, the commanding general of the 3rd ID, spoke during the ceremony. Earlier in his career, Quintas was a battalion commander in the Marne Division and has a personal connection to Warriors Walk and the Soldiers memorialized there.

    “This is personal for me not only as the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division but also as a former battalion commander who has seven trees here,” said Quintas. “Seven trees for seven Soldiers who were lost under my command.”

    Quintas went on to name the seven Soldiers that were killed.

    “I pass by their trees many times a day,” said Quintas. “I know their trees are remembered at every ceremony, and I think of them often.”

    Many of the volunteers who participate year after year are former Dogface Soldiers who served alongside those that were killed.

    Jeff Fornshell, the Wreath for Warriors Walk, Inc. vice president of operations and retired Army sergeant first class, has been an integral member of the organization since its founding.

    “Those of us that have been a part of this since the beginning were always inspired by the photos of the wreath laying ceremony that happens at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Fornshell. “We decided that we needed to honor 3rd ID Soldiers in that same way.”

    Each Gold Star Family Member that was present had a current 3rd ID Soldier as an escort. Sgt. Natalie C. Mathena, a military police officer assigned to 139th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, was the escort for the Family of Sgt. Timothy J. Conrad, who was killed in 2012 in Afghanistan. Conrad was also an MP.

    While some of the Soldiers that were escorts were tasked, Mathena volunteered.

    “I actually attended the memorial of Sgt. Conrad back in my hometown when I was still in school,” said Mathena. “I really felt compelled to be a part of this and I wanted the opportunity to be able to speak with the Family. His death really hit home for me – literally.”

    Next year’s ceremony is slated for Dec. 14, 2019.

    “Our organization is so honored to be able to do this every year,” said Fornshell. “We want to show the Soldiers and the Family Members that regardless of the years that past by and everyone who comes and goes, we will always be here to remember your Soldier.”

    For more information on Wreath For Warriors Walk, Inc., please visit ww4w.org.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.15.2018
    Date Posted: 12.19.2018 13:06
    Story ID: 304340
    Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
    Hometown: ARLINGTON, VA, US
    Hometown: ATLANTA, GA, US
    Hometown: CHARLESTON, SC, US
    Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US
    Hometown: HINESVILLE, GA, US
    Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US

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