By Lauren LaFleur
assistanteditor@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Henry Sanders was a hero.
He entered U.S. Air Force boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in December 1948 when he was 19; was moved to serve at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala., in March 1949; later re-enlisted; and was sent to Japan on June 25, 1950, to fight in the Korean War.
He finally made his way back to Jacksonville in December 1953, a son of war safely returning home.
But his time home was shortlived.
On March 4, 1954, Sanders was killed in an automobile accident between Jacksonville and Troup.
“He was on his way back home from Troup, after seeing his girlfriend,” said Bob McCrory, a friend of Sanders from boot camp. “He hit an icy spot there in the road and fell off into a ravine and was killed.”
Sanders was buried at Pierces Chapel Cemetery, just southwest of Jacksonville, with a military grave master. His brother is also buried there — Albert Sanders was killed in 1944 in World War II.
McCrory said he and Sanders were like brothers in the service, hitting it off right from the start.
“He was in a different squad, but we had the same chow,” McCrory said.
Like most brothers in arms, the two made lots of memories together, McCrory said — memories that for him will never fade.
McCrory, who lives in Burleson, visits his friend’s grave about twice a year, he said.
“We veterans stick together.”
But over the years, Sanders’ grave master has sunk — nearly a foot, in fact, by McCrory’s estimates.
“His tomb marker has sunk, and it needs to be repaired,” he said. “I’d be glad to pay for it, if the family is OK with that.”
McCrory has lost track of Sanders’ family, though — both Sanders’ mother and father are deceased, and McCrory does not know of any other family members.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by doing it without their OK,” he said. “I just want to hear from some of the family and make sure it is alright if I get the marker repaired.”
McCrory is seeking anyone who is related to Sanders or knows of someone who is related to Sanders to get in touch with him about this project. He can be reached at 817-727-3631 Wednesdays through Fridays or at 817-295-3676 anytime.
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