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WARRIOR'S WALK
At Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, there is a special place called "Warrior's Walk". It is here, along the parade field where a tree is planted and dedicated for each FALLEN WARRIOR of the 3rd Infantry Division. Each Christmas, family and friends gather to lay wreaths at each soldiers tree. It was at one such Christmas wreath laying, that members of the BOMBER GIRLS, chose to adopt a soldier whose family apparently live too far away to attend the ceremony. Without knowing a face or situation we laid wreath at his tree and remembered his sacrafice. Each year has led us to finding and adopting several other soldiers. Now, not only do we attend the annual Wreaths for Warriors ceremony, but we also hold our own rememberance times when we gather at "our" Warrior's tree for reflection and prayer. We hope that this effort meets the approval of these soldiers friends and families.
Fort Stewart Warriors Walk Page
Wai Lwin (Tree 64 - DOD 3/2/05 of Queens, NY) became an American citizen just before enlisting, but he had dreamed for years of joining the U.S. military. As a young teen, he fashioned a dog-tag replica from paper and wrote on it in black ink: "Wai Lwin, General of the U.S. Eagle Squadron." "It was his wish to join the military since he was very young," said his father, Thein Zaw Lwin. Wai Lwin, 27, of New York, was killed March 2 when an explosive detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. He was based in New York. Born in Burma, Lwin went to high school in New York and was a fan of American music, including Aerosmith and Jon Bon Jovi. He liked Lionel Ritchie so much that he recorded himself singing "Stuck on You" in a makeshift sound studio. Lwin earned his GED and worked at a restaurant and for a Manhattan jeweler before enlisting in March 2003. The week before he died, Lwin turned down a two-week leave to go to his grandfather's funeral in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. He was carrying photographs of Buddhist shrines in that country at the time of his death.
Travis Bruce(Tree 70, DOD 3/25/2005 - of Byrom, MN) wrote home about the close calls, like the night someone dressed like an American soldier tossed a bomb into a nearby tent. The Military Police officer was apprehensive about his second tour in Iraq. The first time, he guarded U.S. administrator Paul Bremer and other VIPs. This time, he guarded Saddam Hussein's palaces. "He thought he was really lucky to get out of there (alive) the first time," said Jerry Bruce, an uncle. Travis Bruce, 22, of Byron, Minn., was killed March 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a mortar round detonated near his position. He was based at Fort Lewis. In high school, Bruce loved playing sports, especially football and baseball, and worked at a rib joint for extra money. The 2002 graduate enlisted in the Army to help pay for college and followed his father and grandfather in becoming a military policeman. "He just wanted to better himself," said his mother, Vickie Bruce. He was hoping to return to the United States soon so he could begin training as a K-9 officer in Texas. He is also survived by his father, Kenneth Bruce.
Pfc. Jeremiah D. Smith, 25,(Tree 42 - DOD 5/26/2003 of Odessa, MO), was a cavalry scout in Baghdad, the soldier out front looking for possible trouble awaiting his brothers in arms. He was killed on Memorial Day, May 26, while escorting heavy equipment transporters. His vehicle hit unexploded ordnance. "That is not a great surprise that he was out front providing security for other soldiers," said 1st Lt. Alan Davison, who trained with Smith at Fort Riley, Kan. "He was a great American." Smith was married, with two daughters, ages 3 and 5.
Shan M. Stinson (Tree 353 - DOD 6/23/07 of Fullerton, CA). During Shane M. Stinson's two weeks at home, he visited with friends every day, traveled to his favorite beach spots and attended three Angels baseball games. He was thrilled that his favorite team won two of three, including a 4-1 victory in the last game he watched with his older brother. "He was happy to be home, but he said he missed his buddies in Iraq and he was ready to go back and serve," Rhyan Stinson said. "Coming home, several people stopped him to shake his hand and thank him for his service. That made him very proud." Stinson, 23, was killed by an explosive and small-arms fire in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Benning. He earned his GED in 2001 and worked three years at Toys ''R'' Us before he decided he wanted something more for his life. "We were all concerned for him, but he''s the kind of guy you don''t talk out of it," said Justin Matthews, a friend. He is survived by his mother, Evelyn, and his stepfather, Joseph Hackerd. "My brother believed in what he was doing over there and he wanted to better his life," Rhyan Stinson said. "It hurts that he doesn''t get a chance anymore."
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes i've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear...
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne.
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Soldier waited quitely,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward, now, you Soldier
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
Author Unknown
It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hapiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.
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Last updated: 04/04/10.