Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fallen Warrior Memorial - 2nd BCT

Fallen Warrior Memorial Symbolism

2nd BCT Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

1. 2nd BCT Panel

Inscription.

Fallen Warrior Memorial - 2nd BCT. Fallen Warrior Memorial Symbolism. Fallen Warrior Memorial 2nd BCT. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division (2/28 BCT), Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was mobilized January 2005 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Known as the "IRON BRIGADE," it marked the division's largest mobilization for combat since World War II. The 2/28 BCT was comprised of military personnel from 31 states, more than 4,100 members strong, of which 2,143 were members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Once deployed to Iraq, the 2/28 BCT was further organized with Marine and Army battalions and other combat and combat support elements, bringing the brigade to more than 5,20 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen. The 2/28 BCT conducted counterinsurgency operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from July 2005 to June 2006 under the command and control of the 2nd Marine Division and then the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force., The 2/28 BCT Fallen Warrior Memorial was originally designed and constructed in Ramadi, Iraq, by the Soldiers who served there. The memorial was fabricated from material available at Forward Operation Base Ramadi. It was erected in front of the 2/28 BCT Headquarters at Ramadi and dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 16,2006. At the time, 76 fallen warriors were honored. The memorial was disassembled and shipped from Iraq to the United States and was rededicated Oct. 21, 2006, to honor 83 fallen warriors who gave their last full measure of devotion., Fallen Warrior Memorial Symbolism. The 2/28 BCT Memorial is made of iron, symbolizing the Iron Soldiers from the Iron Brigade. Additionally, it represents the history of Pennsylvania's iron and steel industry. Iron is also the most abundant element in blood, symbolizing the blood shed by our fallen warriors., The obelisk stands 21-feet tall, echoing the 21-gun salute. The damaged steel represents the unique war, the living fight, and the fallen. Acting like armor, steel plates cover all four sides of the pedestal and hold the names of the fallen. Keystones, made from different elements, rest above the plates. One is polished steel; and, when one sees their reflection, it represents the fallen warrior inside all of us. Another is ballistic glass that has been shattered to represent the conflict in which we were engaged. One is red stained wood to represent the blood we have shed. Another is marble to represent the strength, resolve and steady purpose of the 2/28 BCT. , Inside the obelisk, dog tags for each fallen comrade are suspended from chains. From the base of the structure, a light shines skyward onto the tags and through the obelisk cap. The cap is made of shattered vehicle glass and acts as a window to which their souls will shine for eternity. As the wind passes through the structure, the dog tags move with a wind chime suspended below them, creating a subtle sound like quiet whispers of the fallen as they continue to speak to us., Along with honoring our fallen warriors, this memorial is also a reminder that our country is the beacon of liberty that shines throughout the world.

Fallen Warrior Memorial
2nd BCT
The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division (2/28 BCT), Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was mobilized January 2005 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Known as the "IRON BRIGADE," it marked the division's largest mobilization for combat since World War II. The 2/28 BCT was comprised of military personnel from 31 states, more than 4,100 members strong, of which 2,143 were members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Once deployed to Iraq, the 2/28 BCT was further organized with Marine and Army battalions and other combat and combat support elements, bringing the brigade to more than 5,20 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen. The 2/28 BCT conducted counterinsurgency operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from July 2005 to June 2006 under the command and control of the 2nd Marine Division and then the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

The 2/28 BCT Fallen Warrior Memorial was originally designed and constructed in Ramadi, Iraq, by the Soldiers who served there. The memorial was fabricated from material available at Forward Operation Base Ramadi. It was erected in front of the 2/28 BCT Headquarters at Ramadi and dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 16,2006. At the time, 76 fallen warriors were honored. The memorial was disassembled and shipped from Iraq to the United

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States and was rededicated Oct. 21, 2006, to honor 83 fallen warriors who gave their last full measure of devotion.

Fallen Warrior Memorial Symbolism
The 2/28 BCT Memorial is made of iron, symbolizing the Iron Soldiers from the Iron Brigade. Additionally, it represents the history of Pennsylvania's iron and steel industry. Iron is also the most abundant element in blood, symbolizing the blood shed by our fallen warriors.

The obelisk stands 21-feet tall, echoing the 21-gun salute. The damaged steel represents the unique war, the living fight, and the fallen. Acting like armor, steel plates cover all four sides of the pedestal and hold the names of the fallen. Keystones, made from different elements, rest above the plates. One is polished steel; and, when one sees their reflection, it represents the fallen warrior inside all of us. Another is ballistic glass that has been shattered to represent the conflict in which we were engaged. One is red stained wood to represent the blood we have shed. Another is marble to represent the strength, resolve and steady purpose of the 2/28 BCT.

Inside the obelisk, dog tags for each fallen comrade are suspended from chains. From the base of the structure, a light shines skyward onto the tags and through the obelisk cap. The cap is made of shattered vehicle glass and acts as a window to which their

Memorial Symbolism Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

2. Memorial Symbolism Panel

souls will shine for eternity. As the wind passes through the structure, the dog tags move with a wind chime suspended below them, creating a subtle sound like quiet whispers of the fallen as they continue to speak to us.

Along with honoring our fallen warriors, this memorial is also a reminder that our country is the beacon of liberty that shines throughout the world.

Erected by Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical year for this entry is 2005.

Location. 40° 25.907′ N, 76° 34.157′ W. Marker is in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County. Marker is at the intersection of Fisher Avenue and Clement Aveune, on the right when traveling east on Fisher Avenue. Located on the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Facility. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annville PA 17003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. EC-130E "Commando Solo" (within shouting distance of this marker); EC-130E Commando Solo I (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint-Avold Tribute to 3rd American Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (within shouting distance of this marker); 40 & 8 Boxcar (within

The Memorial, with Two Panels in Front, Next to the 28th Infantry Division Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

3. The Memorial, with Two Panels in Front, Next to the 28th Infantry Division Memorial

shouting distance of this marker); M110 Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); M42 Duster (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Third Armored Division (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Indiantown Gap.

Also see . . . 2/28 BCT Memorial Fundraising Site. The 2 /28 BCT Fallen Warrior Memorial Committee is currently raising funds to construct a similar memorial at the 28th Infantry Division Shrine and Museum grounds in Boalsburg, PA (near Penn State University). Warrior tradition is to build obelisks to honor Fallen Warriors in pairs. To contribute, send donations to PNG Foundation, Inc, 2-28 BCT Memorial, Building S-O-47, Ft Indiantown Gap, PA 17003. Make checks payable to PNG Foundation Inc. Visit the website at www.2-28bctmemorial.org. (Submitted on March 24, 2011, by John Gronski of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.)

Fallen Warrior Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

4. Fallen Warrior Memorial

Front Face of Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

5. Front Face of Memorial

One Side of the Memoiral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

6. One Side of the Memoiral

Nameplates are only displayed on two sides of the memorial.

28th Division Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 20, 2008

7. 28th Division Memorial

Next to the Fallen Warrior memorial is the 28th Division Memorial. The inscriptions recount service on the Mexican Border (before World War I), World War I, World War II, Korea, and, recently added, the War on Terrorism.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,148 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.