During a heartfelt ceremony, Families and service members paid their respects to the 469 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers memorialized on Warriors Walk during the 17th Annual Wreaths for Warriors Walk event Dec. 16, 2023 at Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart.
The Wreaths for Warriors Walk began in 2007 with the goal of placing a Christmas wreath at the memorial of each and every tree honoring a fallen Soldier. The ceremony honors the heroic sacrifices of the 3rd ID Soldiers who helped build the legacy of the Marne Division.
“To the community it means a lot,” explained 1st Sgt. Brandon Speese, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. “I know to the family members it means everything because they had a son, daughter, husband, or wife give everything for this country.”
The Army’s commitment to honoring the fallen was evident as uniformed personnel stood at attention among the stands, paying their own respects in a moment of silence alongside Gold Star Family members. After the moment of silence, the colors were placed at the front and time was given for a poem to be read and for the National Anthem to be sung by everyone in attendance.
“It is here on this walkway that we remember our courageous Soldiers who demonstrated exceptional valor, honor, and respect for their country, their Army, and their fellow Soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, Commanding General of 3rd ID. “In just a few minutes we will all take some time to lay wreaths before those trees before you.”
Against a backdrop of trees waiting to be adorned by wreaths, the atmosphere was one of both reverence and gratitude. The Families of the fallen Soldiers participated in the ceremony by placing a wreath upon a tree designated for their Family.
“The first year they did Wreaths for Warriors was back in 2007, right after I lost Jean,” said Gold Star Mother Linda Lanie, mother of Sgt. Jean L. Lanie, who was killed in action July 26, 2007. “It was my first Christmas without him. To come here and know that all these people, the Soldiers, and the community are here to support me and the other Gold Star Families really helped me.”
The annual event serves not only as a moment of deep reflection for the lives lost in the Army, but also as a gesture of support for Families. It symbolizes the enduring commitment of the military community as a whole to honoring its fallen members and ensuring that their memory and the acknowledgement of their sacrifice lives on.
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