When the New York Giants go on the clock for the fifth overall pick at this year’s NFL Draft, the voice announcing the selection won’t belong to an owner or a former Pro Bowler. Instead, the podium will be held by the living legacy of Army Major Paul C. Voelke.
For Traci Voelke, the surviving spouse of Maj. Voelke, and their two sons, 2LT Andrew Voelke and Benjamin Voelke, the walk to the microphone is more than a brush with NFL glitz—it’s a high-profile salute to a man whose love for Big Blue was stitched into his family.
Due to the longstanding partnership between the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, the Voelkes will turn a moment of national anticipation into a tribute to a fallen infantry officer who would never choose to miss a game, even when he was serving on the front lines.
Paul’s love for the Giants was a family tradition, passed down by his stepfather, Richard Griffenkranz, an Army Veteran who became a father figure to him after Paul lost his biological father at age six.
“Paul was a huge fan his whole life,” said Traci. “He signed up to get season tickets and finally made the list when we were stationed in Georgia, but couldn’t justify buying because we wouldn’t be able to go. When he was in Afghanistan, Paul had a rug made with the NY Giants logo.”
Paul Voelke, a native of Monroe, N.Y., graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1998. He served 14 years as an Army infantry officer, completing five deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. On June 22, 2012, while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he sustained fatal injuries from an accident involving a mine-protected vehicle. For his service, he received the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal.
The Voelke family’s journey with TAPS, the leading national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes, began shortly after Paul’s passing. Andrew and Benjamin both attended TAPS Good Grief Camps, where they connected with other children of fallen service members and Veterans. Today, the family continues Paul’s legacy of service.
Traci now serves as an attorney and chief of Client Services for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Belvoir. She is also a dedicated advocate for military survivors and recently helped pass a Virginia constitutional amendment to expand financial support for Gold Star spouses.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Andrew commissioned as an Army infantry officer last year. Benjamin, currently studying political science in college, recently interned with the TAPS government and legislative affairs department.
The appearance at this year’s draft marks a decade of partnership between TAPS and the NFL’s Salute to Service, a year-round effort to honor, empower and connect service members, veterans, and their families.
“The NFL Draft is about possibility,” said Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of TAPS. “It is also about something deeper, because behind every name called tonight is a story of sacrifice. We are grateful to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NFL and the New York Giants for this moment.”
“At TAPS, we walk alongside the families of America’s fallen heroes,” Carroll continued. “We support them on their grief journey to do it with respect, remembrance and honor.”
Football fans and supporters of the Voelke family can catch the first round of the 90th Annual NFL Draft live on Thursday, April 23. Coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast across multiple networks, including ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.
For more information about how TAPS connects surviving military families with professional sports programs and the entertainment industry to bring hope and healing while honoring their fallen heroes, visit taps.org/entertainment.
Author: Jason Davis