Community pauses to mourn a soldier, husband and dad

MONROE — The old adage that says "it takes a village to raise a child" is sometimes observed in life's conclusion. It seemed to take an entire community to lay one of its own to rest last Friday as friends, family, neighbors and even strangers lined the highways for Major Paul Voelke's funeral procession. The July 6 procession traveled through Monroe and Harriman and up the mountain over Route 6 to the final West Point Cemetery resting place for the career soldier who died June 22 in Afghanistan.

Members of that extended community held American flags and brushed away tears as a large cortege of escort bikers led the line of funeral vehicles down Route 17M.

One of the most moving tributes took place at the Mombasha Fire Company. There, firefighters set up a ladder truck at the Captain's Table and swung the tower across the highway 100 feet in the air as the American Flag hung draped from on high.

The company's fire trucks lined the firehouse apron and flashed their lights as the procession passed. Voelke's funeral mass held was at the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity at West Point.

Colonel John Lindsay, United States Army, based at the Pentagon, and the Major's uncle, spoke about his nephew at the July 5 wake held the night before the funeral. He remembered Paul as "a bright, smart officer" who was also very thoughtful and very capable.

Paul was "somebody accomplished in the Army for the 14 years he served," Lindsay said. "He was always given very challenging and difficult assignments. People who knew him knew that Paul would make the organization better.

"His talents were recognized not only by the people he worked for but also by the Army," he said.

Voelke was a veteran of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and served four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He last served as the Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The Department of Defense has said Voelke died of non-combat-related injuries and that his death is under investigation by the U.S. Army.

In additon to Voelke's decorated military service, Lindsay paid respects to his nephew's love of family. An important part of Paul's life was his family, who are fantastic, said the Major's uncle. That family includes "his wonderful wife Traci, and their two super boys, Andrew and Benjamin." Voelke, who gradudated from Monroe-Woodbury High school in 1994, had married his high school sweatheart. Their sons are 8 and 6 years old.

That earlier part of Voelke's life was well-represented in memories and tributes at the wake held in Monroe at the Seaman & Quackenbush Funeral on Main Street.

"A lot of people knew Paul as a soldier but we knew him when he was one of the guys," said James Doino of Monroe, who had been a friend of Voelke's since their days at Monroe-Woodbury High. "There were five of us and he was one of the original Black Ninjas, a spoof we made.

"Paul and I did the voices and the other three guys were the actors," he said and smiled as he remembered the good times.

"It is an honor to call Paul my friend. My heart goes out to Traci and the boys," Doino said.

Flags and buntings decorated the homes surrounding the funeral parlor.

Inside, the funeral home was packed with relatives, friends, military, legions, and people that didn't even know the Major; they just came to show their support.