My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Army SSGT Kimberly A. Voelz, Age 27 of Carlisle, PA.
KIA Dec. 14, 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom
She was assigned to the 703rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment based in Fort Knox, Ky.
was the lone woman in the 17-member explosive ordnance disposal unit based at Fort Knox. The unit left for Iraq in September; Voelz died Sunday Dec. 14, 2003 when an improvised explosive detonated while she was trying to defuse it.
Her commander in Iraq, Capt. Chad M. Carlson, said Voelz was headed toward a bright future in the Army. Voelz was just a few credit hours away from officer candidate school, and she and her husband, Staff Sgt. Max Voelz, had recently re-enlisted.
Her husband was at her side when she died at a hospital in Baghdad.
The two met while in explosive ordnance disposal school at Indian Head, Md. They married in June 1999 and she later joined him at Fort Knox, where she become a team leader in her ordnance group.
“She was a soldier, but also a soldier’s wife and somehow fit into both worlds,” said Maj. Stan Harlow, a chaplain who presided over the service.
We had a great 5.19 Mile walk today. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero today.
Army SSGT Kimberly A. Voelz will not be forgotten !
