Family of fallen soldier, a devoted NY Giants fan, to announce team’s first-round pick in NFL draft

Paul Voelke with his sons, Andrew (left) and Ben (right), in this undated photo. The family of the Army officer who died during Operation Enduring Freedom will announce the New York Giants’ first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (The Voelke Family)

Army 2nd Lt Andrew Voelke and his brother Ben have many memories of their father, Army Maj. Paul C. Voelke.

One of their favorites is watching on television as the underdog New York Giants faced the New England Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012. Paul was a lifelong New York fan and believed the Giants would win even when the game wasn’t going their way. And the Giants did.

Ben, a sophomore at Syracuse University in New York, remembered how thrilled his father was to experience that win with the family. It was one of their last moments with their dad.

That same month, Paul deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He died on June 22, 2012, from non-combat related injuries.

Paul Voelke is seen in this undated photo. The family of the Army officer who died during Operation Enduring Freedom will announce the New York Giants’ first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Traci Voelke)

The Voelke family is seen in this undated photo. (The Voelke Family)

“I’m very grateful for the sacrifice that my father made. I bring his legacy wherever I go with me,” said Andrew, an infantry officer stationed at Fort Benning, Ga.

Andrew and Ben, along with their mother, Traci, will carry that memory onto one of the biggest stages in sports on Thursday when they announce the Giants’ first-round pick at the NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

The family and the team will honor Paul’s life and service. He served 14 years and completed five deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Paul received numerous military decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal.

While growing up in upstate New York, Andrew said he and Ben spent a lot of time with their dad, who shared his love for the Giants with them from a young age. The brothers were often seen wearing Giants jerseys and watching the games on TV. Whenever possible, they would go with their dad to see the team play in person.

“He’d be extremely excited that we get to represent our favorite team,” Andrew said. “He loved the Giants.”

A young Andrew Voelke is dressed in New York Giants gear in this undated photo. (The Voelke Family)

A young Ben Voelke celebrates his 10th birthday with a New York Giants birthday cake in this undated photo. (The Voelke Family)

“He loved just sitting down with me and my brother and getting to spend some time together,” Andrew said. “With all the deployments and all the other stuff he had to deal with in the military, I’m sure he just liked to kick it back and watch his favorite team.”

The tribute was coordinated between the Giants and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting families of fallen service members.

“What a beautiful moment it will be … TAPS is so grateful for moments like these,” said Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of TAPS.

The Voelke family has been involved with TAPS for many years. Traci is a trained peer mentor who supports other surviving spouses through their grief, and the brothers have attended the organization’s Good Grief Camps to connect with other children of the fallen.

“I think he (Paul) would be very grateful knowing we have the support that we do,” Andrew said.