His name was Michael Charles ..!! The other was Gunnell Sanders ..!! And then there was John Allen …! Names I’m sure you don’t recognize, but men, whose lives in some way I can’t really explain, helped make us who we are today as Americans.

Michael was too old to fight in America’s Revolution, but he helped supply the Continental Army. Lieutenant Sanders rode against the British with the Virginia Militia! Private John Allen wore a blue uniform in the War Between The States. My daddy, Frank Sanders, fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. And I went to Vietnam, an unpopular war to say the least, mis-handled in its execution, but righteous in its cause. My son, Alan, served with the United States Air Force. And my other son, Jonathan , dedicates himself to serving all of America’s uniformed heroes by hosting this website and sending “Hero Packs” to men and women in the theaters of the War On Terror.

Our family roots run deep in America’s history! The flag is more than colored cloth. It is a symbol of our willingness to stand proud in the face of evil. It is a perpetual reminder of the hundreds of thousands of America’s finest, whose blood forever stains the soil of a dozen nations, not as conquerors, but as willing liberators.

We are Americans ..!! Memorial Day is not just hotdogs and a day off from work. It is remembrance and humility in the face of the sacrifice so many have made for us. It is the faraway strains of TAPS being sounded in tribute to those, who, forevermore, will never come home. It is a day set aside to remember those faces in the old black and white photographs Faces that will remain forever young, because they that’s how they left home, young and filled with courage ..!! And that’s how they never came home …..

Americans, we’ve got to recapture our hope …!! We’ve got to reestablish our values! The values of hard work and the desire for good; of faith and charity and right over wrong ..!! The only way the memory of those men and women, who lie under white crosses, will be dishonored, is if we lose what they died to keep.

I am a soldier … ! A soldier in the Army of my country ..!! I wear a uniform ..!! It’s olive drab, blue, gray and khaki. My nation’s need for defense is my calling; the President of this great nation is my Commanding Officer. I am a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman. Faith in God and love of America are my codes of conduct. Faith and prayer walk with me every day.

I am a soldier … ! Since 1775, I have been taught by experience, trained by adversity, tested by fire. I am a volunteer. The decision to wear the uniform of my country was my decision. And thereby I am committed. Committed to her defense, committed to her people. Every man is my brother, when I stand against the enemies of my land. Every woman, my sister; every child, my little boy; my little girl. And I will defend them with my life.

I am a soldier … ! I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If America needs me, I am there. If she needs me to live in her defense, I am there. If she needs me to die in her defense, I am there ..!!

I am a soldier … ! I’m not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, pepped up or picked up. I am a soldier!  When defending  America’s ideals, no one has to remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me! All Americans need do is …. call me …!

I am a soldier … ! I’m not a wimp! I am in my place of duty, saluting my Commander, obeying my orders, protecting my nation, doing my job!  I am a soldier! I don’t need you to send me flowers, gifts, candy or handouts!  I don’t need to be coddled, cradled, cared for or catered to!

I am a soldier … ! I am committed to you, America! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to make me quit.  Weather can’t stop me! Sickness won’t keep me from my service! Money can’t buy me! People can’t disillusion me! And hell can’t defeat me for I fight for you, America!

I am a soldier …! Generation after generation, I have worn the uniform, wrapped myself in your flag, America, and said to those, who would hurt you, “Not today! Not on my watch! Not while I have strength ..!”

I am a solder! And I will win! I will always triumph, America! 

And I will do it for you!

Adapted from the work, “Here I Stand” By Franklin Hunt, Edited by Chaplain Dan Gates, The Georgia Society Sons Of The American Revolution

White crosses that seem to stretch for miles standing out in marked contrast to the green, well-tendered grass. Its a scene captured millions of times each year by throw-away cameras in the hands of tourists. Cemeteries --- military and local --- become tourist attractions on Memorial Day. And rightly so ... lest we forget; lest we allow our children to forget. In nearly every state, hallowed grounded can be found, wherein lie the bodies of those who gave their lives in service to the ideals of freedom and liberty .... "our" freedom and liberty. Flags unfurl in the breeze; sometimes TAPS can be heard on that same breeze. And somehow our minds, even our hearts, are transported to a spiritual level, as we regard the sacrifice of those, whose names, etched into the stone,  we seldom recognize.

But the names are important ...!  Oh, they may be unknown to us. But as you walk by the markers this Mermorial Day, take a moment to read the name. He was called Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman. He was tough, well-trained and ready to stand in defense of his nation. But he answered to other names, too. As he put on the uniform of his country in the early morning, he may have stood before the mirror, wondering when he had grown up. His mind may have echoed with the memory of another time when he was simply called "son" or "brother." And now there are other names and responsibilities, as from down the hallway, a small voice calls, "daddy," and another from the kitchen calls him, "Darling," asking if he's ready for breakfast.

But time has passed and now his is just a name on a white Cross or a granite marker.  And many of those who called him by affectionate names; those who mourned his passing, have gone to be with him and today no one remembers or speaks his name in the land of the living. But, Reader, let us not forget he was once flesh and blood; loved by family and friends, his life like ours, full of joy and hope and .... dreams. But along with the uniform and the flag, came war, and trial, separation and .... sacrifice. All in the cause of freedom.

Speak his name out loud as you walk by the Crosses this Memorial Day. And, after you speak his name, add one more word. Say, "Hero." And let us never forget.