Soldiers, friends and family members gathered for a solemn ceremony at Fort Stewart’s Warriors Walk Friday morning.
Maj. Paul C. Voelke of Richmond Hill and Cpl. Bryant J. Luxmore were remembered for their service and sacrifice with small granite monuments at the base of eastern red bud trees. Theirs bring the total number of living monuments to 443, with each tree honoring the 3rd Infantry Division soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As family members arrived and were escorted up the long walk to the VIP tent, the 3rd ID band played “Amazing Grace,” and a light breeze brought some relief from the muggy summer heat.
“Today, we’re honoring two patriots, who gave the last full measure of service,” said Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams, commander of the 3rd ID and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, who referred to Warriors Walk as “hallowed ground.”
“These men were the best of their generation.”
He said Voelke and Luxmore represented that 1 percent of Americans who took an oath to protect their country, noting that the Army they served in while the country is at war is different than the Army in previous wars because it’s all volunteer.
Abrams said memorials like Warriors Walk are now present on nearly all Army installations as a way of remembering and honoring those volunteers who gave their all for their comrades and for their country. He said Warriors Walk ensures men like Voelke and Luxmore will not be forgotten, even 100 years from now.

Read more in the July 28 edition of the News.