‘We’re our brother’s keeper.’ Decorated soldier laid to rest at Fort Mitchell cemetery

A decorated Army staff sergeant who was found dead in late May by a would-be burglar was buried at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery Wednesday.

Retired Staff Sgt. Robert Joseph Wolfenberger Jr., 41, who served multiple tours of duty and was medically retired on July 30, 2015, died May 31 in Columbus, according to retired Master Sgt. Patricia Liddell.

Multiple veterans attended the ceremony on the sunny July day. They laid Wolfenberger to rest with a 21-gun salute and a rendition of Taps.

“Staff Sgt. Wolfenberger was a man after God’s own heart,” Rep. Sanford Bishop wrote in a statement that was read during the ceremony. “The greatest gift he leaves to all of us is the dedicated and faithful life he led.

“Because of his service millions around the world are able to sleep under the blanket of freedom. We must never forget the sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Wolfenberger and others like him. We owe him a debt that we can never fully repay.”

A certificate of special congressional recognition was presented posthumously for Wolfenberger in recognition for his service.

During his 11-and-a-half years of service Wolfenberger received numerous medals:

• Purple Heart

• Four Oak Leaves Cluster

• Army achievement medal

• Army good conduct medal

• National defense service medal

• Afghanistan campaign medal with two campaign stars

• Global war on terrorism medal

• Iraq campaign medal

‘We’re our brother’s keeper’

Sgt. Liddell is part of American Legion Post 333 and is the Veterans Service Officer for Alabama and Georgia and helps arrange funeral services for indigent and homeless veterans.

She says she typically finds out about former soldiers who have passed away alone and begins the process of giving the soldier a proper funeral.

Liddell was told by the coroner that Wolfenberger was found by a would-be burglar of Wolfenberger’s house who called the police and alerted them to Wolfenberger’s death.

“The only thing that I constantly tell the veterans, we are our brother’s keeper and nobody should die by themselves,” said Liddell. “If they’re having a hard time... call them and check on them.”

Liddell said it doesn’t feel good to see another fellow soldier die alone. She said she’s here by herself too and stressed the importance of the veteran community sticking together and being there for one another.

“I tell every veteran you are not alone, if you can’t talk to family find somebody you can talk to,” Liddell said. “If you want to call me feel free 706-536-3868, and if I can’t help you I’m damn sure going to get somebody who can.”