Fort Stewart, Georgia

Fort Stewart, Georgia is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River. It covers 279,270 acres, is about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south. It is the home of the Third Infantry Division (“Rock of the Marne”).

I knew I was getting close to Ft. Stewart when I saw the number of Pawn Shops, Check cashing places, and military supply shops lining the roads.

Life on an Army post is just like living in a small town - almost. Access to the post is restricted - you can only enter through Gate 1 and have to stop for a pass every time. Many of the gates are blocked off. I found civilians instead of the military police running the front gate. Apparently many routine Post functions are performed by civilian workers now, freeing up the soldiers to fight.

3rd Infantry soldiers are known as the "Dog-faced Soldiers". Here is the mascot designed by Walt Disney during WWII and cast in '69-'70.

"Rock of the Marne" monument

I spent quite a long time at Fort Stewart’s Warrior's Walk. The Warrior’s Walk is a living memorial of Eastern Redbud trees dedicated to 3rd ID soldiers who died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The tree-lined walk is quite long - a redbud has been planted for each fallen soldier since 2003 - there are over 300 trees. A stone marker at the foot of each tree bears the Soldier’s name and a small spotlight illuminates each tree at night. Family and friends have also placed flags and personal items at the foot of each tree.

Here are some of the facilities on Ft. Stewart...

The hospital where Alexander was born



The PX or Post Exchange (like Walmart) and the Commissary (grocery store)

Library, Bowling Alley, Club, Post Office

>

They even have a care care center and a movie theater (showing "Beerfest"). But here's where things start to get different. If you happen to catch a movie at the post theater, be prepared to stand for the National Anthem before the show begins. The corner gas station is called a Shoppette and be sure to know that the Class Six store is where they sell the booze.

The post is "decorated" with odd items like tanks, helicopters and painted rocks.

>

Most of the vehicles are painted in Desert colors.

The cops are Military Policeman like Eric and really don't like you taking pictures of their equipment. This is Eric's unit the 293rd MP Company.

And be sure to look for interesting signs like these.

>

There are 2 elementary schools on post. Middle and high school students go to school off post. Notice the soldiers guarding the crosswalks.

Steph & Eric live in the Marne Terrace Housing Area. Here are pictures of their neighborhood.