Sergeant Donald R. Walters, 33, left, was a 14-year veteran of the military who served in the first Gulf War, then re-enlisted a second time after 9/11 because he wanted to ensure the safety and a future for his three daughters, his wife, and his family. His mother, Arlene Walters said, “My son wrote a letter to his commander a week before he died (on March 23, 2003) explaining why he decided to re-enlist. In it he said, ‘My plan in the Army, once again, is to serve my country that was so unfairly attacked and persecuted by the evil [axis], for the killing of my fellow American civilians who had no part of military action, and did not deserve what happened to them [on 9/11].'"

Donald was one of several soldiers, including Jessica Lynch, who were captured and held as prisoners of war. When Jessica Lynch and several other soldiers were finally rescued, Donald’s body, and the bodies of several other soldiers were found buried side-by-side, in a shallow grave. The telling final words of Donald’s letter to his Commander, aptly describe why his Bronze Star was upgraded to a Silver Star, ‘I would lay down my life for my family and nation . . . . . Freedom isn’t free and someone must do what they must to preserve it. The Bible states, ‘Blessed is he who lays down his life for the sake of his friends.’ I fear not . . . . Whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.’

• "Don was willing to do this, he thought it had to be done, so I had to support him," said Walters, 67, who voted for Bush in 2000 and plans to do so again. "I have to support it because he gave his life for it." Associated Press, 10/27/04.