Often the photos are faded and bent, and though fewer and fewer remain who remember the names, their sacrifice is still ours to honor.

They include not just the members of the “Greatest Generation,” of World War II, but also Korea, Vietnam and all conflicts and accidents in which members of our military sacrificed their lives so we could be free. It is up to us to pass on their legacy and story.

All too often, Memorial Day becomes more about beer and barbeque and not about remembering the faded images of those who died in service to America. In reality, Memorial Day is a time we should pause and reflect on all who have come before us and given their lives for us, be it in Europe, Africa, the Pacific or Vietnam or the Middle East, or wherever Americans have served.

Growing up in Columbus in the 1950s and ’60s, I recall hearing the stories of heroes like Jessie “Red” Franks and Howard Nolan. Theirs and many others are names I rarely hear now but are etched in my memory from stories my father told me. They are names that should not be forgotten. They and many other Americans lost their lives in the service of our country. This Memorial Day weekend, I think we all need to take time from our holiday to remember those who have enabled us to even have a holiday.

During World War II, my father was a tail gunner on a B-17 that was shot down over Frankfurt, Germany, and he spent a year as a German prisoner of war. His mother kept a scrapbook during that time, placing in it the newspaper accounts of many area servicemen who were killed.

There was Gunter Watson, a first lieutenant in the 350th “Battle Mountain” Regiment of the 88th “Blue Devils,” serving in the Italian campaign.

Lt. Watson was killed in combat “purportedly near the Po Valley and Bologna.” Shortly before his family received a telegram notifying them of his death, his father had received from him a German helmet and German pack mule saddle he had seized. Watson was awarded the Bronze Star posthumously.

David Tandy was a graduate of Lee High School and was attending Mississippi State, where he was a Kappa Alpha and the business manager of the football team when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a B-26 pilot in Europe. He died in France on Jan. 22, 1945, due to injuries received in action. PFC James Hollingsworth was also killed in France in January 1945, but details of his death were not provided.

Lt. Howard Noland of Columbus was a B-26 pilot in the European Theater and died from injuries suffered in an aircraft crash at Hatfield Heath, England. Second Lt. James Burnette of Columbus was killed on a bombing mission over “enemy-occupied” Europe.

Capt. James Dickson of Aberdeen was attending Ole Miss before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in January 1942. He was a fighter pilot in the 8th Fighter Command of the 8th Air Force and was credited with destroying five German planes. He first flew a P-47 Thunderbolt and later a P-51 Mustang. He was shot down and killed over Germany on April 8, 1944.

For “extraordinary achievement” in flying 80 combat missions and for the destruction of enemy planes in aerial combat, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

There are so many others from the recent past. They were not just lost during World War II but also from Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East and accidents in performance of their duty. We should never forget what they did and always honor them for what they gave up to keep us free.

Of all the stories I recall there may be none more poignant than that of Jesse “Red” Franks. I’ve told his story before, but it is well worth repeating. He was one of my father’s close friends, and over 40 years after Red’s death, my father would still comment that Red had a deferment and didn’t have to go. But then my father was working with the FBI and didn’t have to go either, but he did. That was the spirit, sense of duty and love of country their generation had.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Red’s father was pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbus, and Red was at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He was studying to be a minister like his father. As a theology student, Red was not going to be drafted, but he knew what his duty was and enlisted a few days after Pearl Harbor.

He became a bombardier on a B-24 in the Air Corps and went to North Africa with a Liberator Squadron. On Aug. 1, 1943, he lost his life during an air assault on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania.

The night before the raid he wrote home, “It will be the biggest and toughest raid yet … we will get our target at any cost. … Our planes are made for high altitude bombing but this time we are going in at 50 feet above our target. … I know that it will save many lives from the results, so any cost is worth it. So Dad, remember that, and the cost, whatever it may be, was not in vain.” He ended the letter saying, “Hope you don’t get this letter but one never knows what tomorrow will bring.”

Red’s heroism and story have survived. His photograph is included in the American Heritage History of World War II and his story is told in David Colley’s 2004 book, “Safely Rest.” But there are so many other stories that are untold. They should not be forgotten.

Over the years I have heard many stories of unrecorded heroism and necessary but thankless jobs well done. Space did not allow for them all to be mentioned. So, I would encourage everyone to ensure that we remember the legacy of all who have served our country and record their stories.

The Billups-Garth Archives at the Columbus Library provides a place where such accounts can be preserved so that future generations will not forget what their parents and grandparents did for them.

So on this weekend, let us all stop and take some time to remember and honor those who, in giving their lives, made it possible for us to enjoy ours.

Rufus Ward is a local historian.

Rufus Ward is a Columbus native a local historian. E-mail your questions about local history to Rufus at [email protected].